Hi Tweets:
We had a good day at Green River Natural Resources Area (Kent Ponds) today.
I don't have the total list compiled yet, but we saw a most unusual hybrid
duck. It appears to be a Cinnamon Teal-Shoveler Hybrid. The body of the
duck looks like a male Cinnamon Teal, comparible to other Cinnamon Teals
that were nearby in the same pond. The head looks like a Shoveler, green in
color and w/ a Shoveler bill. There is also a white crescent on the face.
A beautiful duck.
The problem is going to be seeing it. We were allowed to be in the interior
of the ponds for our fieldtrip, and the duck was swimming in the southeast
area of the main pond in a pond called "The Constructed Wetland". There is
a gravel road that divides the ponds. The duck was east of that road.
You might be able to see the duck from the Power Line Trail which runs along
the south edge of the area. Or maybe you could park at the Web Press Bldg.
on 64th Ave. which is on the east side of the ponds. Walk across 64th to
the "grassy knoll", an excellent high-point from which you can view the
ponds.
Good luck. This is a nice bird.
We also had Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, and a flock of
50 Dunlin. Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere. All in
breeding plumage. I've never seen so many Butter Butts down there.
Yours, Carol Schulz
DesMoines
linusq at worldnet.att.net