Paul, can you briefly describe your GW Teal Hybrid as myself an Ilya saw a bird at the weekend that we considered might have been a hybrid
cheers
Hi Tim
The bird was feeding (I assume on seed left for the buntings) with a small group of teal on the pools and grass areas close by. When I first picked up the bird it was face on and I was surprised to see the vertical white stripes either side of the breast. Unfortunatly when it turned sideways it also had a strong horizontal white stripe!
I have only seen one hybrid before - the one at Minsmere - and it showed similar features of an obvious horizontal stripe and short faded vertical stripe. The other striking feature was the bold and wide curved pale border, running from the top of the head to the bill, on the front of the head. This was very obvious and easy to pick the bird out when facing head on.
The friends I was with got a photo and I have a poor image on the minsmere bird and I will post them when I get them through.
I stopped a few people and was surprised that no-one else was interested in the bird and that it hadn't already been seen - it was certainly the best bird at the site!
Paul