Subject: [Tweeters] Baikal teal-Yes on 12/22
Date: Dec 22 21:26:47 2004
From: Scott Downes - downess at charter.net
Tweets,
This afternoon about 12:15 the teal made a VERY brief appearance among the
west shore of the willow peninsula at the Kent ponds before something scared
all the teal and it could not be relocated by the time I left at 12:45. I
was also able to observe 2 Trumpeter Swans in the NW corner of the ponds.
These are likely the same birds I observed on Monday 12/20.
I made a quick run to Olympia and arrived about 2:15 to find the Redwing in
view, already located by a group of birders. What a great bird! I ran back
up to the Kent ponds and got there at 4:00, trying to see if I could find
the teal for better looks that my previous sighting where I really only got
good looks at the head and not the body. I stayed until almost dark at 4:20
and could not find the bird. So it is still around and I hope others have
luck with it.
Thank you to those people who had located the Redwing this afternoon and for
everyone that keeps the updates. 2004 has certainly been a grand year for
rarities. Starting with Great black-backed gull, then a mid year threesome
of Common Eider, Little Stint and Black-tailed Gull. A few great warblers
mixed in and to finish off the year with no less than a Redwing and Baikal
Teal. Yes Washington has had a great run on rarities this year. We may not
get lots of publicity nationwide but most states would be hard pressed to
match that list for a year!
Best birding in 2005.
Scott downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA