Joined a group of perhaps ten birders scanning
Yesler Cove for the TUDU around 1:45 P.M. Was
fortunate to find the bird relatively close (50
yds?) to shore in a group of Scaup and Gadwall.
It was towards the marshy end of the cove. There
were lots of ducks around as well as some Canada
Geese. Large raft of Wigeon and Coots, Mallards,
Common and Hooded Mergs., Canvasbacks, Shovelers,
and Buffleheads. Did not see but could easily
have missed the Green Winged Teal, Redhead and
Wood Duck that were present yesterday. After
perhaps 15 minutes some Kayakers came into the
cove and the ducks started moving out to open
water swimming steadily to the South. All this
time the Tufted Duck kept close to two female
Scaup often joined by a male and by a Gadwall that
created a group of 5 that enabled everyone to stay
with the bird until it got too far out and mixed
with the hundreds of other birds. probably was
within view for maybe 30 minutes all told. Nicely
colored male with tuft varying from very
distinctly to barely visible. Great bird. Great
weather.