If memory serves me well, Monmouth SP is about the only place in Polk
county for this species, every few years or so at this time of year...
I saw the note on the sign-in sheet about a possible hybrid female BARROW'S
GOLDENEYE, so I was aware of that possibility when I saw it around 11 AM.
It was not actively diving at the time, and I saw no reason to think of
calling it a hybrid, head shape was right for BARROW'S..if you think about
it, others in that group of ducks appress (is that the right word?) their
head feathers just before or after a dive makes the head shape look
different for a little while. I cannot say with certainty it isn't a
hybrid either, just that I saw it close up and saw no reason to consider
that possibility
I hope you don't take this to mean I disbelieve in hybrids, I am an old
biologist and I know about hybrids, no biologist wouldn't. Mostly I've
just said that I don't use that option (reporting hybrids or subspecies) on
e-bird myself, and that it should be used sparingly, carefully when it is
used, but it came up a few weeks ago that I don't believe in hybrids. That
wouldn't be possible.
With malice toward none,
Roy Gerig, Salem OR
