[EBB Sightings] Tufted Duck at Lake Merritt

Last year's male tufted duck was also exhibiting pair bonding behavior with a scaup female. Perhaps this bird has sexually imprinted on scaup, hence his continued association with the flock? He is certainly a handsome, stand-out individual, who could have his pick of the females;  come spring, perhaps there will be a nest to the north of little taup or scufted ducklings? 

Debbie Viess

--- On Wed, 10/29/08, Glen Tepke  wrote:

> From: Glen Tepke 
> Subject: Re: [EBB Sightings] Tufted Duck at Lake Merritt
> To: "EBB" 
> Cc: "Benavidez, Stephanie" 
> Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 2:30 AM
> I saw the Tufted Duck in the same area this evening.  I
> suspect its 
> affinity for the prime duck-feeding area, even though no
> one was feeding 
> ducks at the time, suggests it is the same bird as last
> winter, looking 
> to get back on the dole.
> 
> There was also a Mute Swan further out around the islands. 
> Does anyone 
> know if that is another released captive, like the American
> White 
> Pelican, or might it have arrived at Lake Merritt under its
> own power?
> 
> Glen Tepke
> Oakland
> g.tepke (at) comcast (dot) net
> www.pbase.com/gtepke
> 
> 
> Kristi wrote:
> > I saw a male Tufted Duck at Lake Merritt in Oakland at
> 5:45 this afternoon.
> > It has a well-developed tuft. It was located between
> the Nature Center and
> > the closer island. Perhaps it is the same individual
> that has wintered at
> > Lake Merritt in recent years.
> > 
> > Also saw a Ring-necked Duck and a Belted Kingfisher.
> There were a few
> > Canvasbacks, Bufflehead, Western Grebes and lots of
> Scaup and Coots. A great
> > day at the lake.
> > 
> > Kristi Whitfield
> > Oakland, CA
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