Bird Alert - January 14, 2008
All three scoters and a California Gull on McFaddin Beach January 13
John Mariani reports seeing all three US scoter species from McFaddin beach Sunday January 13) in a mixed flock of about 50 or 60 scoters. He estimates about 15 Black Scoters, at least one White-winged Scoter and the rest Surf Scoters.
He also found a California Gull on the beach among the Ring-billed. He surmises it was from the Great Plains population since it was only marginally darker in mantle color. The longer bill with black and red spots is a very useful field mark. Many of those with experience with the species pick it out based on its "longer bodied longer winged" appearance.
John A. Whittle
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