Today I got a call from Danny Bystrak that he saw what he thinks is a
cinnamon teal hybrid at Jug Bay. I looked all over for it at various
times and locations (both above the railroad crossing and below it) with
no luck, until finally I found the bird late in the afternoon at the
southern end of Jug Bay. I saw it from Selby’s Landing at Patuxent River
Park; it was upstream of the dock and all the way across from the “Canoe
Camp”, near the AA Co shore). It was very distant, but with a spotting
scope I did get a good enough view to see it well. Unfortunately, it was
too distant to photograph.
When he saw it (in the AM), it was with a large group of green-winged
teal; I looked at the same buch of birds he saw about a half hour later,
but they had spread out quite a bit and I could not find the bird. When I
first saw it, it was with a small group of black ducks (~7-8); I lost it
briefly, and then found it by itself. I watched it for a few minutes
before a pair of eagles scattered the waterfowl, and then could not
relocate it. Due to all the recreational activity on the river on this
absolutely beautiful day, the waterfowl were mostly pushed back into the
marsh fringes and mud flats, which made for difficult searching. But
once I saw it, it was unmistakable and is a beautiful male; it appears to
be a cross with a blue-winged teal. It is entirely a cinnamon teal in
plumage except for a distinct white patch on the flank (I don’t know the
correct term; it’s on the lower side of its rear and in front of the rump,
which was black). Danny said he’s having trouble posting to Osprey
lately, and I should post this.
I hope to try again tomorrow and if I can get a closer view maybe I’ll get
a photo or video. If any one finds the bird tomorrow (Sunday) and has a
cell phone, if you could, please give me a call at 301-580-4524.
Regards-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD |