Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Black Scoter
Scientific name:	Melanitta nigra
Date:	November 13, 2008
Time:	afternoon
Length of time observed:	20 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	first-winter ?
Sex:	female ?
Location:	Otter Creek State Park
County:	Piute
Latilong:	15/16
Elevation:	6635 ft
Distance to bird:	80-100 m
Optical equipment:	20-60 x scope
Weather:	clear and sunny
Light Conditions:	bright afternoon conditions
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	First-winter / female type. Digiscoped a couple low resolution photos. Description: Fairly large, chunky, classic-shaped duck with round head and relatively thin, dark gray bill. Overall uniformly dark brown with pale check patch strongly demarcated from dark crown. I believe it might be a first-winter as the breast was slightly paler than the rest of the body. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	diving/ swimming on open reservoir
Habitat:	reservoir
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	distinguished from juvenile Surf Scoter by bill size, head pattern and shape.
Previous experience with this & similar species:
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes made later
Observer:	Rick Fridell
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	12-16-08
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	information copied from field notes