When I arrived at the the previously mentioned location along 25a around 4:00, Sam Janazzo and Debbie Martin informed me that the Tufted Duck had flown to the other side of the harbor, adjacent to the laboratory. After getting some distant scope views of the bird, I went over to the laboratory where I got extremely close views from the beach at the base of the sandbar extending into the harbor. The bird remained at this location until sunset, when I departed, and is probably still in the immediate vicinity. However, on my way out I was kindly informed that this area is private, so I discourage further viewing from that location.
As to the age and sex, the bird is a male with noticeable barring on the flanks. The tuft is prominent, but the bird was most easily identified from a distance by the entirely black back. Despite the location on the opposite side of the harbor, it was quite identifiable from the 25a side, and I strongly encourage those going to see the bird tomorrow to be mindful of private property. Good Birding, Brent Bomkamp Northport, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
