Tweets,



I hope the Garganey reappears. A nearly identical individual was spotted by
Bob Woodley in Richland, WA December 15, 1994. It disappeared until December
19 and then stuck around through at least December 22, 1994, when I was able
to study it closely.



It was probably a male, as was the Magnuson Park bird, based on the broad,
striking white margins to the bright green speculum, features unlikely for a
female. Garganey's are unusual in their molt patterns, the males retaining
an eclipse-like/female-like plumage until late winter or early spring.



An excellent analysis of Garganey plumages was published in _Birding_, vol.
24(4):214-223 (1992), "Field Identification of Teal in North America:
Female-like Plumages - Part II," by Greg D. Jackson.



My photos are not the best but sufficient to eliminate other possibilities.
It qualifies as a count week bird for the Seattle CBC!



Gene Hunn

18476 47th Pl NE

Lake Forest Park, WA

enhunn323 at comcast.net