Hey all,

I was down at Owen Beach and then the duck pond yesterday wandering around. I stopped by the pond looking for the turtles and Green Wing Teals that are still there, didn't see any of the turtles though. I noticed a male Mallard walking towards me that looked awkward. When he turned it looked like he had been cut in half. All the feathers from his rump area were gone and some skin is visible. I'm guessing he let a dog get to close but was wondering if he may have that condition where birds pluck themselves. Another thought is that I see males chasing and grabbing males in that area and he just was a popular target.

Still several American Widgeon and a Coot around. The Eurasian disappeared a while ago.

Bryan Owens
Tacoma Wa.
obryan214 at yahoo.com


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