[EBB Sightings] Tufted Duck, tundrius Peregrine

All,

Cricket and I finally visited Lake Merritt and were able to relocate  
the drake TUFTED DUCK near the Rotary Nature Center.

At first we didn't remember where we were supposed to look, so we  
drove into the Lakeside Park entrance, paid our fee, and immediately  
parked. Searching the area at the top of Bellevue Ave we found little  
in the way of Diving Ducks save a few Bufflehead, so walked to the  
bottom. Near the boathouse we began to have better luck and found a  
few Goldeneyes. At first we saw only Common Goldeneyes, but then we  
located a single male BARROW'S GOLDENEY among them. Its forward  
sloped profile, crescent-shaped white facial mark and darker  
scapulars were clearly seen.

We continued walking clockwise around the lake until we reached the  
Rotary Nature Center. Many LESSER SCAUP and CANVASBACK were gathered  
here in the shadows of the trees. We found one pair of RING-NECKED  
DUCKS here as well. We kept walking toward Grand Avenue and found a  
huge collection of mostly GREATER SCAUP. Remembering that our target  
bird was slightly smaller and might prefer the shallows, we doubled  
back, returning to the Nature Center were we focused  our attention  
to the multitudinous group of ducks that were accepting handouts. We  
quickly found the male TUFTED DUCK among the Lesser Scaup.

Later, at Arrohead Marsh we had many Common Goldeneye, Greater and  
Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon but nothing unusual. A few CLAPPER  
RAILS and a single SORA called to us as we ate our lunch on a bench.

On our way home we stopped at Hayward Shoreline. Not much was playing  
there, but along Winton we spotted a large Falcon on a powerline. At  
first we thought it might be a Prairie because it was so pale. On  
closer examination, we determined it to be a juvenile tundrius race  
of PEREGRINE FALCON. We noted the scalloped coverts, narrowly-barred  
tail, pale crown and supercilium, the narrow mustache and slight pale  
crescent behind the eye. As the bird raised its wings we also noted  
the uniform barring without dark axillaries.

.  .  .

Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net