Greetings All

There are several odd Gadwall in the Kent Ponds/Boeing Pond area. I'm not
sure what to make of some of them.

One is clearly a Gadwall x Mallard.
Another is clearly a Gadwall x Falcated Duck. See photo at
http://www.delhibird.org/images/GadwallxFalcatedDuck_2.jpg

The Kent Poind bird is quite similar to the bird in this photo, except in
that it lacked the white at the base of the bill. The FADU x GADW has both a
black and white ring at the base of the neck, a feature seen only in Falcated
Duck. It also has longer tertials than the nearby Gadwall. I've not seen this bird
since the first two days I visited the ponds (shortly after Charlie found the
Baikal).

Interestingly, Gadwall are unusual in captivity as are Falcated Ducks, and
the aviculturalists I've discussed this with seem to think the bird almost
certainly of wild origin. I do find it odd to have a FADU x GADW, and a MALL x
GADW, and a couple odd Gadwall all in the same place. Also Baikal Teal, though
more common in captivity than FADU, are expensive.... so their owners tend to
take care of them. This bird hasn't allowed much opportunity for such, but if
someone ever gets a chance to see if there is a hind toe, that would add evidence
for wild origin. --- birds in collections often have their hind toes clipped.

Perhaps some of this is the famed Patagonia Rest Stop effect. There was Kevin
Aanerud's Least Fly, and apparently, the "Snow Goose" that visited the ponds
yesterday was likely a Snow x Ross's Goose. Yikes. Can't these birds keep
themselves straightened out.

We hit the Cedar River Mouth twice today, and despite seeing 10,000 or so
gulls, found only one bird of interest: a very classic Glaucous x Glaucous-winged
Gull hybrid (1st year bird. white primaries. Smudgily bicolored pink and
black bill. Somewhat darkish unpatterned wing coverts).

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow