Hi all...we took a quick scope of Llama Lake in Sammamish last night. The
once good shorebird habitat is currently more grass than mud, although there
were still spotted sandpipers and breeding pied billed grebes. Basically it
is now home for lots and lots of hybrid mallard type ducks.attracted by the
families feeding them, no doubt, even though there is signage asking them
not to.



BUT, the reason for my post is, while there we saw the weirdest looking
hybrid duck. Hanging with the mallards, eating the handouts, etc.; this
duck/goose is very striking. Sharply contrasting black and white head,
white under parts, black/gray back. It swims low in the water, is larger
than a mallard, and has either a white eye or a white spot near its eye. it
dives with the mallards and waddles up to get the free hand outs from the
kids. My guess is a cross between a domestic goose and a ring-necked duck
LOL. Or maybe a loon and a laughing gull? In any case, if you are in
Sammamish and end up at Llama Lake on 8th St NE I'd be interesting in other
people's opinions on this fella.


Good Birding, if you can call it that!
Paula Flores
Whidbey Island
floresnw AT hotmail

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