A Code 4 male Garganey was found at Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Sumner, Missouri on April 19. (The finders were not named in the first post about this bird on MOBIRDS-L.) It was refound by Terry McNeely [and others?] on April 20.
photo by Allen Smith
The refuge is located about 100 miles northeast of Kansas City, MO. From Kansas City, take I-35 north to US 36. Go east on US 36, turn south onto US 65, then east on State Hwy H. Next take State Route 139 east towards Sumner. There are other ways to get to Sumner, particularly if you're coming from other parts of the country. Most involve taking US 36. If you're coming from points west and northwest, pick up the above directions from that road. If you're coming from the east, take US 36 west to State Route 139 and head south to Sumner.
**Note that many roads in the area are currently flooded.** Check this Missouri Dept. of Transportation webpage for information on road closures before deciding what route to take.
The Garganey is west of Stanley Lake, which is just west of Sumner but east of the Grand River. (Map here.) On April 20, it was reported as being in the flood waters 0.2 miles west of the bridge over Stanley Lake (the first bridge you come to as you head west out of Sumner), in the brush along the railroad levee north of the highway with two Blue-winged Teal.
Reports of vagrants ducks are usually met with questions of provenance, but there is a history of Garganeys in the Midwest during spring migration....so go get it, but stay safe.
Any photos?
Posted by: Vincent Lucas | 04/20/2013 at 01:10 PM
I haven't heard of any yet, but I wanted to get the report out ASAP with the weekend being upon us. It was reportedly videotaped yesterday, but I haven't heard if it was put online.
Posted by: John Puschock | 04/20/2013 at 01:11 PM
More photos by Allen Smith at http://www.photosbyat.com/Birds/Birding-2013-April/2013-04-20-Garganey/29010583_s6jPss#!i=2467254871&k=bXgzZ6f
Posted by: John Puschock | 04/20/2013 at 05:20 PM