Subject: [Tweeters] Falcated Duck Still at Coburg, OR
Date: Nov 24 19:27:46 2006
From: wheelermombi at comcast.net - wheelermombi at comcast.net


Hi Tweeters,

Since my plans for today had been rained out and I was experiencing serious birding withdrawl, I decided to have a go at spotting the Falcated Duck way down in Coburg, OR (off of exit 199 on I-5). After driving all of the way down there last year and not seeing it, I swore that I wouldn't try again, but I have been obsessing on it ever since. So I threw both the scope and my son Deyland in the car (after dragging him out of bed) and headed south. Upon arriving, we checked in with the RV park manager and then headed to the pond. The Falcated Duck was swimming about in plain view. It really is one of the more striking ducks that I have seen. It crossed paths with a few of the Gadwalls that were in the pond, allowing for a nice comparison. Several other species of winter ducks, plus Canada Geese and two Greater White-fronted Geese, American Coots, and more than 20 Dowitchers (sp?)(before I had time to train the scope on them, a torrential downpore started, so we fled) we!
re all
sharing this small pond.

As we were heading back to the highway, a Merlin flew over the car. We also must have seen at least 30 swans flying in the distance over some of the sheep pastures off of the highway in central Oregon.

If anyone is interested in seeing the Falcated Duck and needs more detailed directions, feel free to e-mail me.

Good birding,

Lonnie Somer
Olympia, WA
wheelermombi at comcast.net