So Kenn …. what we gonna call it? Shovelwaller? Gadler? How 'bout Gadewaller? DB On Apr 22, 2012, at 1:26 AM, Kenn Kaufman wrote: > I haven't seen this mentioned on the listserve, but there's a strikingly patterned duck present at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Ottawa / Lucas counties, n.w. Ohio) that could be very confusing for birders who run across it unexpectedly. As far as I know, the bird was first seen by Sherrie Duris on the impoundment visible from the east end of Ottawa-Lucas Road (far west side of the refuge) on Sunday April 15; Ethan Kistler and I saw it later that day at the same location. It has been seen a few times since, most recently by Dave and Jill Russell on the evening of Saturday April 21, and it seems to be moving around the southern part of the refuge. > > This duck's strong pattern doesn't suggest a hybrid at first glance: it has bright white cheeks, sharply set off from a dark cap and nape, and a moderately heavy black bill. You can see photos of similar birds at this link: http://bit.ly/IitL5q The ID is far from self-evident, but careful study of such birds has indicated that they are Northern Shoveler X Gadwall hybrids. > > The Ottawa NWR auto tour will be open Sunday, April 22, from 8 to 4. Even when the auto tour is closed, this duck might be found at the east end of Ottawa-Lucas Road, or on impoundments along the hiking trails in the eastern part of the refuge. Of course it doesn't "count" for any list, but it's a rare and fascinating individual, worth watching for if you're going to be in the area. > > Kenn Kaufman > Oak Harbor, OH > > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > > Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. > Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. > Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. > > You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS > Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]