ML646273827

Observation details

Very unexpected. With 30-40 bird mixed duck raft that was first way above rileys. Closer to 9am ducks had drifted down to intake and I had trouble placing a diving hen. Walked upriver a ways for a better look. Very tough viewing conditions w moderate rain and wet optics. Kept seeing quite dark brown plain duck moving among mallards and blacks, similar size of not slightly larger, bill slope looked odd and saw what seemed like mostly dark bill but paler gray yellow tinged tip, tail perked up slightly like scoter, breast a tad lighter than head/body, no fine details noted on plumage in conditions except maybe a bit of light above eye. Based mainly on bill, including what at times looked like characteristic split look high on head, started to think eider and grabbed what I could for documentation. Most photos w telephoto out of focus and too distant. Tried video through scope at 60x a few times. Only after 5-10 minutes from the closer vantage the flock took off splitting in groups w most headed upriver. Frustrated and with a sliced open finger I left and came back after patching up. Dave C. Saw it in the interim. Best docu from the stabilized video through the scope. Slight pale brow above and behind eye seen in a few places along with the characteristic bill shape noted in a few frames at end of video when it is facing onwards, paler end to bill noted. Behavior wise, 3 or 4 times it did the display seen in the video (dip then raise) twice followed by wing flaps while raised. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Dzc3Rm9UtHgZE4my9