During this season of discontent for waterfowl watchers in central Missouri, I decided to visit Perry Phillips Lake in southeast Columbia. There my effort was rewarded by the presence of a single male lesser scaup.
A common migrant through our region, this diving duck is generally found in small groups or sizable flocks during the autumn migration; a fair number may winter in mid-Missouri if open water is found. Lesser scaup feed on both aquatic invertebrates and submerged plants.
Though I was, once again, disappointed by my waterfowl observations, I did see a large number of white-crowned sparrows and a limited mix of other winter songbirds. I would be remiss not to express my appreciation to the lone scaup; somehow, one duck is far better than none, especially this year.
