This morning, I drove out to Tofino with a few locations and species on my
mind that I wanted to get. One of which was Falcated Teal. After having
birded for a few hours in the Tofino area (west coast of Vancouver Island),
I visited a local birder (Rory) and told her that I was on my way to the
hatchery to find the Falcated Teal. She chuckled( it had not been seen in
nearly 12 months and many doubted it would ever return)and I told her I
would phone her if I found anything. While we talked, Adrian, another local
birder, dropped by and said he was on his way to the hatchery. I told him
about my conversation with Rory and that whoever got there first had to find
the teal.

I arrived at the hatchery and Ralph, the caretaker, told me that I had just
missed the Teal (he knew nothing of the previous conversation, in fact I
hadn't spoken with him for 2 months) he said it had been there 4 days prior.
I accused him of pulling my leg, his facial expression then told me that in
fact he was kidding. We walked over to the water and found Adrian who had
been looking over the flock of ducks. I reminded him that since he got
there first, he had to show us the teal. He shook his head, no luck.
We would talk and look at the ducks for 30 or so minutes, Ralph leaves to
run errands in town and Adrian prepares to leave: I hollar out, don't leave
yet, there's the teal! He scarcely believed me but I think my enthusiastic
voice was too convincing. After Ralph returns, I tell him that I found the
teal and he definitely would not believe me. Finally after some convincing,
he too got to see it.

I frequently go birding with predictions of specific species that might be
found and where they might be found. Often enough I am successful that it
has become a regular aspect of birding, however this particular circumstance
was stunning.
Since this bird has so frequently been associating with Gadwall, maybe next
year at this time, I will be telling the local birders that I am looking for
a Gadwall X Falcated Teal and I may just find one!


Don Cecile

Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, BC, CANADA
eMAIL: dcecile at cln.etc.bc.ca