SMEW
***SMEW LINKS, DIRECTIONS AND ATTENDANCE IS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
Male: (shown below) Unmistakable black and white markings. Mostly white head, neck and chest with black eye patches, beak and a heavy black ring on the back of his head. There are two distinct very thin black lines one on the upper chest and one of the upper belly. Rear flanks and wings are a silvery color with a black middle line down the back.
Female: Mostly dark brownish grey body, wings, and tail feathers. Whiter coloration on the chest, front of the neck and cheeks. Dark red'ish slightly raised crested head with small black beak.
*** In Northern California close to historic Yosemite National Park a male smew has been sighted. There have only been three other known Smews reported in the whole Continental United States with at least two of those sightings being in Northern California alone.
This species breeds in the northern taiga of Europe and Asia. As a migrant it leaves its breeding areas and winters on sheltered coasts or inland lakes of the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, northern Germany and the Low Countries, with small number reaching Great Britian, mostly at regular sites.
The green areas and boxed areas below are locations where the Smew generally breeds and migrates. As you can see most of these places are far from The Western California shoreline.
See other exciting Smew links and directions to Willow Springs Pond in Soulsbyville, CA at the bottom of the page.
MyMotherLode.com News 1/25/2007
MyMotherLode.com News 1/26/2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smew
http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowlgallery/index.html
http://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/picpages/pic27-144-thmb.html
**SMEW NEWS: On Saturday January 28th the Smew was no present AT ALL for the duration fo the day, he did however return to the pond around his usual time on Sunday morning much to the delight of long distance birders.
The male Smew has been present on the pond continuously since at least Saturday, January 20th, 2007. He is usually present all day long starting at dawn till about 4pm as local birders have reported.
Directions to Willow Springs Pond:
North on 108: Go past Sonora on the new 108 Bypass, take the 108 East Right hand turn then at the light make an immediate Left. About 5'ish miles the Soulsybiville exit will be on your right hand side. After taking the exit make an immediate left onto Kings Ct. This is a residential area so please be courteous while visiting the area. Park in the turnaround and walk up to the pond. There will be many people there to talk to.
Alos spotted on the lake within the last week:
Red Tailed Hawk
Red Shouldered Hawk
Cooper Hawk
Great Egret
Belted Kingfisher
Ring-necked Duck
Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Western Bluebirds
Spotted Towhee
Dark-eyed Junco
Canada Goose
AmericanCoot
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-crowned Sparrow