Ridgefield redux & Broughton Beach

I totally lied to you.  I told you I saw a beautiful Rough-legged Hawk at Ridgefield yesterday.  Well, it wasn't sitting right with me.  I remembered when it flew it didn't have those dark patches underneath like it should.  In fact, the photos I have show a similar pattern to a light morph Harlan's hawk (aka a Red-tailed).


I sent some photos out for verification and yup, it's the Red-tailed.  Still a cool bird!  Just watch out if you go to Ridgefield and think you're seeing a Rough-legged!

Now onto Broughton Beach this morning... I figured I'd walk the dogs and see what turned up.


Oh right, there's been a Tufted Duck reported in this scaup flock for weeks now.  You may recall the last twenty times (over the last 3 winters) I have tried to pick out a Tufted among the scaup at Broughton Beach.  You may also recall that I failed every single time.

But today... Today was special.  The scaup were close to shore.  I felt like I had a fighting chance.  I tucked the dogs' leashes under my foot and started scanning.  Then I noticed a few birds off on their own, even closer to shore...


Boo ya!!!  Finally!!  I feel like I can rest easy now, Oregon Tufted Duck has been slain!  Metaphorically, of course. 

I noticed another bird in the back of the scaup flock that was not a scaup.  It was scratching itself and would not sit still so at first I thought it was a grebe.  Then I thought maybe a Ruddy Duck.  Then I started trying to turn it into a scoter.  Another birder showed up and he asked if it was a Ruddy or something else.  We debated.  A third birder showed up and we debated more.  Turns out, it was a female Black Scoter!


A damn good bird this far inland!  Good times!!

Comments

  1. Your note on my blog about the RL: "hopefully I will get it sorted." made me laugh. You are such a nerd. I love it. I really am glad you got that sorted out, Jen ;) Love that nice lookin' Tufted Duck!

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  2. Oh yeah, and killer find on the Scoter!

    Not necessarily an easy bird even at the coast.

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  3. And to think that you used to hate birds.

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  4. I would love to see the Tufted Duck myself. Congrats! Happy Birding, Jen!

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  5. Black Scoter is a high quality inland bird...I don't think I've ever seen one away from the coast. Glad you finally got that TUDU, took long enough!

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  6. HIGH FIVE On one Tough Duck..pun intended! That hawk would have had me scratching my head for sure. AND a BLk Scoter? amazing!
    I do the same thing when I have my dogs, I stand on their leases!! They have learned to just sit and wait...Dogs are so dang smart!!

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    Replies
    1. Haha, I know I'm always impressed with their patience!

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