In April of last year a Cinnamon Teal was found in a puddle in farm field in southern Minnesota. It was keeping company with Blue-winged Teal. Cinnamon Teal are rare in Minnesota, a western species that rarely makes it this far east. I drove down to photograph the bird, my first opportunity to record this species. Farm fields aren't the most scenic venues for photos, but, I take what's offered. Two weeks ago, we were at Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge in Montana, just outside of the east-central town of Malta. The town and refuge are situated along U.S. Highway 2. The refuge has a 15-mile wildlife tour road that offered, on that day, the best refuge birding I've had anywhere. I suspect the refuge would be a wonderful place to bird in any but winter season. Five minutes into my visit I came upon a pond with this Cinnamon Teal and two others. Before the drive was finished I had seen 18 of this species. It's no wonder that finding this bird here causes excitement among birders. It's not only a rare sighting, but also a beautiful bird.
