We have a cabin above the Aeneas Valley in the Okanogan and recently when we
visited it found a dead Barrow's Goldeneye inside. The only possible entry was
the chimney. They are hole nesters so conceivably it was looking for a nest
site. However, the cabin is in the only partially wooded rangeland about
750-1000 feet above Long, Round, and Ell Lakes in the valley and at least a
mile to two miles away. This would seem to be a strange site to check for a
nesting location. Also, it had to have entered after June 10, the last time I
was there. Isn't that a little late to be looking for a nest? In Bent, it
says that Barrow's Goldeneyes have been found using sheep sheds as nesting
locations and around Lake Lenore in eastern Washington it's possible that they
are using cliff site locations for nests but I would think our cabin would be
to far from water and in to open a site for them. Was this a sick or desperate
bird? Ducks in the chimney seem to be a family specialty, my grandmother in
Grays Harbor had a duck of unknown species stuck in her chimney at one time.

Ed Swan
swanbarn at concentric.net
Vashon Island, WA