English and Scientific names:	White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca
Number of individuals:	four - too far to distinguish sex
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Cameron
Specific Locality:	Gulf of Mexico immediately off shore from access road to Rutherford Beach.
Date(s) when observed:	28 March 2009
Time(s) of day when observed:	12:50 PM CDST
Reporting observer and address:	Jay V. Huner Boyce, LA 71409
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	None
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	None
Light conditions:	Clear day. Sun to west of my position.
Optical equipment:	10 x 40 X Zeiss binoculars
Distance to bird(s):	300+ yards
Duration of observation:	About a minute.
Habitat:	Open water, Gulf of Mexico
Behavior of bird:	Flying east to west about 50 yards above the water in a loose line following each other about 5 yards apart. Were on the outside of a huge flock of several thousand Lesser Scaup.
Description:	The ducks were distinctly larger than the Lesser Scaup near them. Bodies were black. Large white wing patches were clearly evident from the body to mid-wing.
Voice:	Not Heard.
Similar species:	Surf and Black Scoters. - No white wing patches.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	None.
Previous experience with this species?	Seen in Alaska in 2007 and 2008.
Identification aids: at time of observation:	National Geographic Field Guide.
after observation:	Sibley's Field Guide.
Notes made from?	Notes take at the time of observation.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes.
Reporter:	Jay V. Huner
Date and time:	28 March 2009, 8:44 PM.