I did a quick tour of the E Shore today.

Starting point was the OC inlet which was fairly quiet.  The two KING EIDER showed briefly on the far side of the breakwater.

On a whim I checked 33rd street and found an EARED GREBE in the same spot as last year's bird (ie N side, on the first bit of open water), accompanied by 3 Horned Grebe.  In fact it probably is last year's bird returning to the same spot.

I then made a brief stop at the Salisbury Landfill which was really windy and cold.  I found 7 Lesser Black-backs (3 adult, 1 3rd winter, 2 2nd winter, 2 1st winter) but could not find any of the white-winged gulls reported recently.  En route there I found one CACKLING GOOSE in a Snow Goose flock.

Then on to Cambridge where the TUFTED DUCK showed very well.  The purple sheen on the head was very noticeable, particularly when compared to the green on an accompanying Greater Scaup. The back had a strong brownish cast which I guess is because it is not a full adult, which also accounts for the clouding on the rear flanks and the shorter crest, as some have already commented.

Pics:

http://harrisbirds.com/Tufted%20Duck.htm

http://harrisbirds.com/LBBG1WJAN1.htm


Regards

Clive Harris
Cabin John, MD