Date: 9/7/26 4:59 pm From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kasilof River 9/07: Gargany
A GARGANEY was first spotted 0.4 miles to the south when a singular bird flew out from the Kasilof River and west and north toward the large mixed flock of MALL and NOPI feeding in the shallows just beyond the intertidal mudflats. Still in flight at a distance we could see the distinctive green speculum highlighted top and bottom in white, its conspicuous white underwing coverts, a longer more spatulate bill, and contrasting white facial pattern. In size it was similar to a GWTE but had an overall thinner, longer, more narrow-winged appearance in flight. The bird spent the next 50 minutes foraging while drifting north within the large mixed flock as it simultaneously came closer to shore on the incoming tide. When the mudflats were mostly inundated, it flew northwest well offshore to roost with other dabblers. Duck hunters were active on the south side of the river mouth along the duneline roughly parallel with the fish buying station so waterfowl was avoiding this general area. The GARG initially flew low through this area miraculously without being shot.
