Larry McCloskey wrote to me for information on the Falcated Teal at Tofino.
I'll answer his questions for the benefit of others who may be "twitching".

1. Larry was planning to come by way of Victoria. The distance from the
Swartz Bay ferry terminal (near Victoria) to Tofino is about 325 kilometres
(200 miles). Count on at least 4 hours to get to the site from Swartz
Bay...on good, paved highway. No snow right now, but watch any cold front
that may move in, and then check.

2. The Tsawwassen (near Ladner) to Swartz Bay ferries run every 2 hours on
the odd hour, beginning 0700, with extra sailings leaving Tsawwassen at 2 PM
and 6 PM, and extra sailings leaving Swartz Bay at noon and 4 PM. No
reservations. Be there at least 30 minutes before sailing time to assure a
place. The 0700 sailing usually experiences an overload. Friday PM and
Monday AM are always busy in both directions. 1 hr. 35 min. sailing time.

3. A better option would be to take the Tsawwassen to Nanaimo run, with
schedules as follows:

Lv. Tsa: 0515, 0745, 1245, 1515, 1745, 2045 and 2245

Lv. Nanaimo: 0515, 0800, 1015, 1515, 1800, 2015, 2330

The same "busy" conditions as noted above apply. Sailing time under
2 hours.

4. The final ferry option is to drive through Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay in
West Vancouver. The Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo schedule is the same as that
for the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route (see above), with minor temporary
adjustments for construction.

5. With options 3 and 4 above, the driving time from Nanaimo to the bird is
about 2 to 2.5 hours.

6. The bird was present to yesterday, Jan. 26. No reports either way as
yet this morning. I will update the Victoria Rare Bird Alert (604) 592-3381)
and Tweeters as I receive new reports.

7. Low tide is critical for seeing this bird and the timing of lows is not
very good next week, becoming later each day, then very early in the
mornings, as follows:

Saturday, Jan 28 - 1700
Sun. 29 - 1745
Mon. 30 - 0545 and 1830
Tues. 31 - 0635
Wed. Feb. 1 - 0720
Thur. 2 - 0805
Fri. 3 - 0850
Sat. 4 - 0935 Approx
Sun. 5 - 1020 Approx
Apparently the bird arrives with Gadwalls off the end of Sharp Road outside
Tofino (turn right off the highway at the Dolphin Motel onto Sharp Rd) as the
tide is approaching the low. Arrive 2 hrs before low for the best "watch".

8. Tips: The US dollar should get you about $1.25 to $1.30 Canadian. Go by
the exchange given on the BC Ferries - it is fair. Small restaurants, etc.
will give less (what else is new).

"50 gets you 30" and "80 gets you 50" Most Tweeters will know this, but
the 80 kilometres per hour signs (80 KPH) on Canadian Highways translate to
50 miles per hour. City speed limits are generally posted at 50 KPH (30
MPH)....and the Mounties "always get their man".

Finally, is the bird wild? Who can say for sure? It's like any other
"vagrant" waterfowl species: If you have seen it, it's wild. If you
haven't, well, it probably is an escapee. Those who have seen it, I am sure
are "ticking" it and no one has indicated evidence of escape. Come and
admire it anyway, observe its behaviour and pass judgement to Tweeters
regarding its "wildness".

Good luck.

Bryan Gates, Victoria
bgates at assessment.env.gov.bc.ca