Skawp

I’ve been lucky enough to visit New Jersey’s north shore twice in the past week, the second time with a sharp-eyed group of birders from all over the state. Among the goodies: Lesser Black-backed and Kumlien’s Gulls, Razorbill, and a flock of more than 300 scaup on Old Sam’s / Lake of the Lilies.

As more or less expected on fresh water, even so close to the coast, the vast majority of the flock were Lessers, but there was a nice sprinkling of Greater Scaup, too, like the lowest bird in the photo above. So often in this part of the world, scaup are seen at a distance out on the choppy water of the bays, making a trip to Old Sam’s well worth while for anyone wanting closer views of these birds and the subtle distinctions between them. Here are two Greater Scaup:

And here two Lesser Scaup:

But nary a Tufted Duck to be found.