The Falcated Teal was still at Tofino Inlet to at least Feb. 7. No reports
either way since then. It is probably still there, best seen from the end
of Sharp Rd, two miles south of the village (turn rigt at the Dolphin
Motel). Also there on Feb. 7 were a Yellow-billed Loon, seen from the
government dock in Tofino; a Eurasian Wigeon and Red-throated Loon off the
end of Sharp Rd. ; and 2 Redheads on nearby Grice Bay. Time permitting, I
would set up a watch from the open west coast beaches for alcids, tubenoses
and uncommon gulls...winds and weather permitting.

Like Larry McCloskey, I too saw the teal through a driving rain and have
some questions about its features. There appeared to be more white on the
upper sides and back than the NGS field guide shows. Perhaps this was an
extension of the light horizontal bar that Larry saw, and which could have
been exposed down feathers. I was too distant to describe the line
separating the head and throat, but its falcate tertials were in fine
display. It was with 4 Gadwalls, did not seem to favour any one of them, was
often a few feet off by itself, but flew and fed with them. Features that
would separate a female Falcated Teal from a female Gadwall could not be
seen. The SAM list puts the Falcated Duck (Teal) after the Gadwall and
before the Eurasian Wigeon. Presumably, then, they are closely related on
the basis of DNA (?) However, the natural ranges of Gadwall and Falcated
Teal are not close, so perhaps wild hybridization between these two has not
been documented. What about Facated Teal x Eurasian Wigeon? Any thoughts or
information?

Mike Smith's idea of an overnight group trip to Tofino sounds good. As much
as I would like to, Mike, I regret that I'm unable to participate this
weekend. Tofino birders who may be able to guide you, or at least give
directions, are Adrian Dorst (604) 725-1243 or Rory Paterson (604) 725-3783.
Please call Rory at about 5 PM...she is a nurse at the hospital and is often
on night shift. There should be no shortage of motel space in Tofino and
nearby Pacific Rim National Park. Winter prices should be in effect, and
those using the US dollar should insist on at least $1.25 Canadian in
exchange...shop around.

I was unable to report on this Tofino bird for the last few days because I
spent 3 days in the Peace River district of northern BC. Unseasonably
mild for the northern prairie in February (just at the freezing mark), but a
typical Arctic front is expected next week (minus 30? C or 20? F below
zero). For those who may, by chance, be going that way, few birds are to be
expected there in winter, but a couple of short walks before dark into stands
of spruce (where wildlife takes advantage of thermal cover) did produce 12
species, including Boreal Chickadees, Pine Grosbeaks, Bohemian Waxwings,
Black-billed Magpies, Gray Jays, a Pileated Woodpecker, and a female Great-
horned Owl calling at dusk from a snowy nest in a big cottonwood that was
recently exposed by logging.

Feel free to contact me if you want more information about northeastern BC
or the teal.

Bryan Gates, Victoria, BC
bgates at assessment.env.gov.bc.ca
Victoria RBA (604) 592-3381