3rd Round

8 July 2010
Cliff Weisse--Accept

Same Comments

07-03-2010
Sturts --Accept


I'm staying with my 2nd round vote for the same reasons.

07-02-2010
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

I'm going to reject this record for reasons previously stated.

6-28-10
Carlisle--Accept

I still can't think of what else it can be (& have heard of stranger things to be sure)

15 July 2010
Hardy--Accept

Same comments as first and second rounds.

06-28-2010
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

I'm sticking with my vote to reject. I don't think the description is detailed enough.

6-29-10
chuck trost--Accept

Well, I'm reversing my vote because I agree that there isn't much else than a basic-plumaged male LTDU that fits this brief description. The fact that it dove well, and ran on the water to try to take off fits LTDU, and not NOPI. I found one in June near McCall in the 70s during amy loon surveys, so know some hang out late, and this one sounded like it was indeed molting.

1st Round

2nd Round

6 April 2010
Weisse—Accept

26 May 2010
Cliff Weisse--Accept

There isn't much detail in the "Description" section but there are pieces here and there in the report that add to the observation. A duck with a short bill, somewhat stockier than a Pintail, with a tail longer than a pintail, white head, and extensively white neck and back. I can't think of anything else that fits this description. The white back threw me at first but winter LT Ducks have pale gray tertials with white edges. Sibley even describes the back as "white back". So the description fits LTDU and eliminates everything else I can think of.

04-09-2010
Sturts--Reject, specific identification not established

On this round, I'm voting to reject. I want to see what other members have to say about this record. The June date bothers me. All previous records I have in the distribution database are mostly winter with a few late fall and a couple early spring. There is one July record for Mann Lake. Also the bird was at a distance and this is a first observation of this species for the observer. Is the length of the tail enough for us to go on?

06-26-2010
Sturts--Accept

After reading the report again, I agree with Cliff that there is no other duck that fits this description. The June date still bothers me, but I agree with Lisa that the date is not sufficient reason to reject the identification.

04-10-2010
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

I thought the observer's report could possibly be describing a LTDU, but his description of the duck seemed very unusual, especially when he described the bird's back as being "mostly white". Because a summer-period LTDU report would be so unusual, I didn't feel too comfortable accepting this record when the description of the bird seemed unconvincing, but will await the opinions of others.

06-26-2010
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

I'm going to reject this record for reasons previously stated.

4-17-10
Carlisle--Accept

Unfortunately not much detail but the combination of diving behavior, 'a lot of white', and long tail all point to this species

6-26-10
Carlisle--Accept

no change from round 1

27 April 2010
Hardy--Accept

The description is rather thin, but a male LTDU is distinctive. The long tail and short bill are compatible with a LTDU id, and the extensive white plumage appears to be possible at this time of year.

23 May 2010
Hardy--Accept

The June date is unprecedented, but not sufficient by itself to cause me to not accept.

05-04-2010
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

Although this was probably a lost and molting Long-tailed Duck, there just isn't much to go on in the report. The bird's plumage and structure isn't mentioned in much detail.

05-20-2010
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

I still don't feel the description is detailed enough for the acceptance of this record.

5 May 2010
chuck trost--Reject, specific identification not established

The description is too vague to be sure this was indeed a LTDU. If it was, it apparently was still in basic (non-breeding) plumage, and mid June seems quite late for this bird in this plumage, and in Idaho. 

5-8-10
chuck trost--Reject, specific identification not established

I go with my first opinion.