Common redpoll at fort Howard in Balto near restrooms in sweetgum
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On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 2:04 PM EST Russ Ruffing wrote:
>>
>> I had the privilege of seeing the California bird back in 1989 and used to bird quite a bit with the gentleman that found it - Robert Potvliege - who is mentioned in the article. I believe he is from Belgium if my memory is correct, which probably helped him with the ID since he had familiarity with them in Europe.
>>
>> Russ Ruffing
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Jan 3, 2013, at 1:22 PM, Phil Davis <pdavis...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Jim, et al.
>>
>> California accepted their record (I would have lost money on that bet!).
>>
>> The published article on this record is ...
>>
>> Michael A. Patten. 1993. First Record of the Common Pochard In California. Western Birds 24(4):235-240.
>>
>> http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/wb/v24n04/p0235-p0240.pdf
>>
>> The article includes the following discussion on captivity ...
>>
>> "As do many reports of vagrant waterfowl in California, this record engendered debate over the bird's natural occurrence. Todd (1979) indicated that the Common Pochard was "almost nonexistent in America" in waterfowl collections. Richard Ryan (in litt. to D. Roberson; now in CBRC files) opined that the "odds on an escape are rather slim" with regard to this record. Simon Tarsnane, a waterfowl aviculturist from California, indicated (in litt.) that the species is exceedingly scarce in captivity in North America, and because of the close similarity between Common Pochards, Canvasbacks, and Redheads, there is little demand to keep Common Pochards in this country. Tarsnane knew of only two collections recently holding any; one (Sea World in San Diego) no longer has any in its care, and the other (in North Carolina) apparently has only a "couple of pairs." Acceptance of this record by the CBRC reflects the belief that there is a much higher probability of
natural occurrence than of captive origin."
>>
>>
>> I am a strong believer that sightings like this (i.e., exotics) should not be dismissed out-of-hand as escaped captive birds. Often we may not realize that an incursion or invasion is taking place until the event is over. I highly recommend reporting and, preferably, taking photos of such birds.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Phil
>>
>>
>>
>> At 18:03 01/02/2013, Jim Stasz wrote:
>>> Hi Folks!
>>>
>>> I saw one on Schoolhouse Pond in Upper Marlboro a number of years ago. I believe it is common in waterfowl collections.
>>
>> ===================================================
>> Phil Davis, Secretary
>> MD/DC Records Committee
>> 2549 Vale Court
>> Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 USA
>> 301-261-0184
>> mailto:<PDavis...>
>>
>> MD/DCRC Web site: http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
>> ===================================================
>>
>>
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