Hello All:
I am very glad to see that research is going on with regards to Baikal Teal
and hybrid waterfowl in captivity. My own (possibly biased) opinion was that
the bird acted nothing like a captive-reared duck and was a very difficult
bird to approach.

Yesterday at the Kent Ponds we had a male Brewer's Duck (Mallard x Gadwall),
and some very weird looking male Gadwall, but nothing that showed
characteristics of Falcated Duck. The Baikal Teal was not seen by us, but a
large flock of teal somehow managed to stay in the one area that was not
easily viewed from any vantage. Like Steve, I continue to believe the teal
is in the area and could be relocated with enough luck and persistence. The
fields around the Kent Valley which were so full a week ago are quickly
draining, so ducks could become even more concentrated around the ponds
soon.

Matt Knox, the site manager at Kent Ponds, has been very graciously letting
small groups of birders access the main, usually off-limits areas of the
site on certain days over the last week. Please be respectful.

Cheers,
Charlie Wright.

----- Original Message -----
From: SGMlod at aol.com
To: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
Cc: k_aanerud at comcast.net ; Sebnabgill at aol.com ; c.wright7 at comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 9:53 PM
Subject: Baikal Teal

> Greetings All
>
> I was in touch with Maynard Axelson, the aviculturist on Fir Island. He
> seemed to think that there was a fair chance the Baikal was a wild bird,
> and he thought that a captive raised Falcated Duck x Mallard was unlikely.
> He referred me to Paul Dye, a local and renowned aviculturist, who passed
> on the following. Guess I'll be back in Kent looking for Baikal Teal. As a
> thought to others who might do the same, I have a sneaking feeling this
> bird spends much of its time where we can't see it--either in off limit
> portions of the Kent Ponds or in the numerous nearby wetlands. It might be
> worthwhile spending more time driving about looking at flooded fields in
> the area. See Paul Dye's comments below
>
> Steven Mlodinow
> Everett, WA
>
>
> Steven,
> To the best of my knowledge there are no state or federally licensed
> waterfowl keepers in the Kent area. That does not rule out the presence
> of someone who is unlicensed existing, as a license is only required for
> someone keeping waterfowl "commercially" (to sell). Also, I personally
> know of no one keeping Falcated in the Pierce/King/Snohomish County
> areas.
>
> The production of hybrids is frowned on by responsible breeders and all
> avicultural organizations. Its not impossible that there might be a
> "bad apple" hobbyist out there somewhere.
>
> The Baikal is another matter. There have been several sightings in AK
> and elsewhere, and it's possible it is a wild transient. At $175.00
> each it's unlikely anyone would release one on purpose.
>
> Have a merry Christmas,
> Paul