Stacy,

I know of two previous records, perhaps of the same bird, both at or near
Turtle Rock in the Columbia River above Wenatchee, both nice tufted adult
males, on late fall 1993, the other, I believe, winter 1991-1992.

Gene Hunn.

On Mon, 21 PETERSON, STACY JON <petest at wwc.edu> wrote:
>
> FROM: Stacy Peterson
> College Place, WA
> petest at wwc.edu
>
> Howdy Y'all,
>
> Got a few birds of interest to report. Yesterday (March 20, 1994) my
> wife Laura and I were birding at McNary Wildlife Refuge in Walla Walla
> County and received a tip from passing birders (Dale Litzenberger and
> wife from Pasco) that someone had just seen an OLDSQUAW and TUFTED DUCK
> at Wallula Junction, near the delta of the Walla Walla River. Needless
> to say, we followed them to the site!
>
> When we arrived we found Tony and Kay Graeger from Pasco already there.
> The OLDSQUAW was there, but the TUFTED DUCK was not, apparently absent
> for a few hours. Although I don't recall exactly who originally found
> these birds, I believe Tony and someone else (Phil Bartley??) were
> involved.
>
> Milford Perrin of College Place reported to Larry McCloskey (College
> Place) this morning that he had found the TUFTED DUCK around 4:00 p.m.
> yesterday (March 20, 1994). Larry, my wife, and I went out today and
> found it with a raft of GREATER and LESSER SCAUP. I was able to watch it
> on the water for about an hour. The OLDSQUAW could not be found again.
>
> According to Tony, this may be the first or second record for the TUFTED
> DUCK in eastern Washington. Anybody have contrary information??
>
> Directions: The site is approximately 0.7 miles west of Wallula Junction
> in southwestern Walla Walla County along Hwy 730 near some large grain
> elevators. A paved, unmarked road heading toward the Columbia River will
> lead you from the Hwy to a railroad car a few tenths of a mile down on
> the left. A dirt road just past the car will take you around a cyclone
> fence and to the site where the birds were seen from.
>
> Best of luck, and let me know if you see it!
>
> --Stacy
>
>
>