I took a trip over to the Columbia River south of Vantage to look for the Tufted Duck. I got there about 1:00 PM and was able to find the bird after about 10 minutes of scanning a large flock of scaup (mostly Greaters). Believe me though, it certainly wasn't easy, especially without a scope. However, after hunting waterfowl for 20 years, I was able to discern the bird from the many drake scaups. What did it for me was the shape of the white sides and when the bird stretched its neck out, I could clearly see the tuft. It also appeared to ride lower in the water. However, if you have a scope, it will most likely be much easier to view the bird and find it (I would have liked to have seen it closer and in good detail). I found the bird south of Wanapum State Park on the West side of the river. Just past the turn off for the park (heading south on Huntzinger Road) you will see where the river cuts in and there is a sand point that protrudes out before a bay starts to form. This is where the large raft of birds was feeding. The Tufted Duck was feeding in closer to shore with a smaller group of birds. However, a lady and her two kids that were walking along shore heading down river from the State Park soon spooked the flock and they headed up river. I watched the bird take off and was astounded by the bring white wing patches extending all the way up the wings to the primaries, much brighter than in the accompanying scaup.

Good luck, this is a cool bird.

Jeff Kozma
Yakima