Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Blackwater
Miliff@aol.com
Tue, 30 Mar 1999 21:38:43 EST
Hello all,
In addition to the adult Little Gull today that Greg Miller posted for me (it
was at tyhe Royal Farms store .7 mi e. of Rte. 695 along Eastern Blvd. (Rte.
150)), I also discovered a Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Blackwater NWR.
The teal was with about 15 American Green-wings and 4 Blue-winged Teal, and
was obvious primarily by its prominent horizontal white stripe on the
scapulars and the lack of a vertical white stripe on the chest. On closer
examination, it also had a more obvious golden frame to the face, a whiter
chest, and thicker vermiculations on the flanks. I was able to take several
photos, though at a fair distance.
The bird was easily seen in the small pond at the intersection of Egypt Rd.
and Key Wallace Drive. This is about .2 mi west of the Wildlife Drive
entrance. The pond is in the northeast corner of the intersection. The teal
remained there for an hour while I was at the refuge and showed no signs of
leaving. I will be looking ofr it again tomorrow and will post any updates.
Had some other good birds in addition to those two highlights: 15 Wild Turkeys
along Egypt Rd., 25 Rusty Blackbirds and a Red-headed Woodpecker in Pocomoke
SF, my first Barn Swallow of the year at Blackwater, and assorted ducks at
Cambridge. The Refuge logbook reported an Upland Sandpiper along Egypt Rd.
but I did not turn it up in my search.
Good luck to all that try for either bird, though it sounds like Hart-Miller
is the place to get Little Gulls!
Best,
Marshall Iliff
miliff@aol.com
Annapolis, MD