Hello All,
I stopped by Shirley Plantation after work to see if the Cave Swallows were
still present; unfortunately not.
Scanning the impoundment from the road I quickly found a female scoter that
I watched for the next 30 minutes or so. The bird was constantly diving, and
was probably not in view for more than 10 seconds. I was able to observe
features consistent with a female type White-winged Scoter. Most noticeable
were 2 whitish oval spots on each side of the all dark head. One at the base
of the bill and the other on the side of the nape. The bill was large and
triangular that merged into a steep forehead. The top of the head was flat.
Rest of the bird was all dark except for a sliver on white in the wing.
Arun Bose
Richmond, VA
