South Carolina This species is a winter resident, of uncertain numerical 

 status, but considered uncommon along the coast and inland (Potter et al. 1980). 

 It is generally present from late October to early April; an occasional indi- 

 vidual may be observed in early summer. It prefers to inhabit large bays, 

 estuaries, and the ocean, and seldom visits freshwater areas (Sprunt and Cham- 

 berlain 1949). The scarcity of inland records no doubt partly reflects the dif- 

 ficulty in separating this species from the Lesser Scaup in the field (Fatora 

 1965, Burton 1970). 



Following Bellrose's (1976) methods of computation, about 150 Greater Scaup 

 were seen during the 1975 mid-winter waterfowl survey. This duck is probably 

 more abundant than indicated, however, since 2,000 were reported in Charleston 

 Harbor, 7 February 1976 (Teulings 1976b); four recent Christmas Counts average 

 about 170 birds (Map 21). 



Georgia Burleigh (1958) stated that the Greater Scaup is a rare and rather 

 local winter resident on the eastern edge of Georgia; authentic records of its 

 occurrence are very few. In winter this bird is notably maritime in its habits. 

 On the Atlantic coast it is rarely seen on inland waters, preferring saltwater 

 bays and sounds where it gathers in dense rafts. Burleigh (1958) also stated 

 that the paucity of records reflects the difficulty in separating the two scaup 

 species in the wild. Perhaps as many as 1,300 birds were present during the 

 January winter waterfowl survey if Bellrose's (1976) method of estimation is 

 used. On the other hand, recent Christmas Counts (Map 21) continue to indicate 

 that very small numbers are present. 



Florida The Greater Scaup is a fairly common winter resident in Florida, 

 occurring chiefly in the northern half of the state in the Gulf, less abundant- 

 ly on bays and sounds along the Atlantic coast, and occasionally on the larger 

 rivers where it associates with the Lesser Scaup (Sprunt 1954, Kale 1979 ms a, 

 1979 ms b). An isolated record of breeding was reported (but poorly documented) 

 in 1975 on the Merritt Island NWR, Brevard County, Florida (Montalbano 1977). 

 Bellrose (1976) estimated that 9.1% of the scaup wintering in Florida were 

 Greater Scaup. If this figure is reasonably accurate, then about 26,750 were 

 seen on the January 1975 waterfowl survey (Goldsberry et al. 1980). This fig- 

 ure contrasts strongly with the few sighted on recent Christmas Counts (Map 21). 



Alabama Imhof (1976b) stated that the Greater Scaup is locally common in 

 winter on the Gulf coast of Alabama, rare in late fall and winter in the Tennes- 

 see Valley, and occasional in the intervening area. Along the coast, it is 

 usually found only on the outermost bays. The maximum number reported along the 

 coast is 600 at Grand Bay, Mobile County. A pair was observed at close range 

 on 16 June 1956 at Dauphin Island, but there is no indication that the species 

 breeds in Alabama (Imhof 1976b). 



Mississippi The Greater Scaup seems to be quite uncommon in Mississippi; 

 there are few reported observations. Burleigh (1944) knew of a single specimen 

 from along the coast, a bird taken in May at Gulfport. More recent reports sug- 

 gest that small numbers may be in the state from October to March (Weber and 

 Jackson 1977, Jackson and Cooley 1978a). As elsewhere, however, the difficulty 

 in separating the two scaup in the field may lead to underestimates of the abun- 

 dance of this less common species. 



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