Incorrect report of Chestnut Teal at Travis Wetland

[Michael Szabo]

Chestnut Teal just reported via eBird at Travis Wetland by Howard Haysom with comment 'photo to follow':
https://ebird.org/checklist/S163220046

[Jan]

Is this from an overseas visitor? The checklist is not visible on the Canterbury eBird, so perhaps it's been taken down?

[GrahameNZ]

Hi Jan.
Yes the checklist says "Traveling"
He also has 2 Pacific Black Duck on the list.
Also with pictures to come.
Never say never, but that would be pretty unlikely.
I'll have a chat to the rangers his morn and probably go for a nosey around and see what appears.

[Oscar Thomas]

Travelling checklists just means they didn’t stand still while counting birds.

[GrahameNZ]

Ahhh.
Thanks Oscar

[Michael Szabo]

Okay, the photos have been posted now and it is clearly not a Chestnut Teal.

[benackerley]

Also changed to two birds now.

[GrahameNZ]

Im happy about that
Have spent 3hrs this morn picking over all the Travis water, Travis south and Kate Sheppard.
No Chestnut.
Glad I didn't miss one.
The last one at Travis was quite a secretive bird for most of the day.
Plenty of overhanging carex etc for them to hide under.

[NoahF]

It looks like the observer mistook the orange-brown staining on the Grey teal's breast as a Chestnut teal. I think this staining comes from tannins and sediment in the ponds.

[andrewcrossland]

It was great that the observer took some pretty good pics and posted them. You can understand why a visitor could conclude they were looking at Chestnut Teal.