I was at the Kent ponds this morning from about 10-11:30 where there 6-7
scopes set up on the SW viewing platform looking at the sleeping Baikal
Teal. It wasn't the best of views, but it would pop its head up every once
in awhile for 1-2 seconds and then tuck its head back. But you could see
the white line stripe and some of the brown tertials down the side. Someone
who was there early saw the duck in the pond and watched it go up on shore.
If not for that it would have been difficult for anyone to pick it out of
the sleeping Green-winged Teals and Mallards.

On my way back home to Bellevue I stopped at Phantom Lake to see if the
Tufted Duck could be seen. This was about noon. I was by myself to start
but very quickly 6-7 other birders showed up. The duck was only 20-30 ft.
out from the viewing dock at the west access from 156th Ave. SE. This was
actually the best view I have had of the duck. It was continually diving
for food and we did see it come up once with a large snail in its bill.


Hugh