Since the Herring spawning event about 10 days ago, a few Long-tailed Ducks
have been consorting with the Surf Scoters and other Diving Ducks eating
Herring roe.
These duck have the most complicated molt sequences known among waterfowl, and
show an incredible range of plumages. Chuck Philo and I have been trying to
keep track of individuals, and over the last 10 days have recognized 10
different individuals, although we have never seem more than 5 at one time.
This afternoon, in stormy weather, I found 2 new individuals. One was a female
pretty much on breeding plumage with a black head but white cheeks, white on
the neck and chest, and blackish back and wings. The other is a male with
longer back plumes and a prominent black tip on its bill.
i have never found more than 5 Long-tails here in previous winters.
Wayne
