Nov 26th

I seem to have accidentally deleted the message about the Tufted Duck there in Seattle. Maybe that bird will develop into a nice adult male by spring, making it easier to spot. I saw a male from a city bus at the Padden Creek estuary ("Lagoon") on 12 May 2009. It was close to the sidewalk, and alone. The creek curved through the mud at that point. The only other possibility would be a Ring-necked Duck, which I easily eliminated at the time. Apparently eBird doesn't believe me, since I don't see it on the map; although still on my Washington list. Tufted Ducks are "a dime a dozen" in Germany on any lake or reservoir during the non-breeding season.

Cheers!

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham, WA