Hi all,
A quick stop at Tjossem Pond south of Ellensburg ahead of the storms and cold weather revealed 5 Tundra Swans (2 adults, 3 immature), well over 250 Geese, and other waterfowl typical of the season including Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, Green-winged Teal and a single Lesser Scaup. The most interesting bird was a male hybrid Eurasian x American Wigeon. The bird had the facial structure of an American Wigeon but with a cinnamon brown rather than green eye-stripe. The flanks were gray with a horizontal white bar. I attempted to get photos through my scope with my phone, but all of the photos were distant with the target bird?s head underwater or obscured by other wigeon. I?m not sure whether the bird will stick given the coming weather.

Cheers,
Walter Szeliga
Ellensburg, WA