Hello, Sticking my neck out here a bit, but whatever. I birded the Long Point area today, and around noon I stopped at the marina in Port Rowan, and out at the end of the pier among the thousands of American Coots, American Wigeons and Gadwall, was what I believe to be a male Eurasian Wigeon. To me it looked like a purebred, but the bird was molting (which to me seemed odd for December), and this made it difficult to rule out it being a hybrid. The head was dark, solid rufous, with a lighter, buffy patch on the forehead, and a grey bill... basically the head looked perfect for a male Eurasian Wigeon. The breast was dark rufous, almost mottled looking or slightly marked. The sides were also dark rufous, though somewhat lighter than the breast. The back was dark and rufous tinged, and appeared to be molting with a handful of lighter grey feathers looking like they were coming in. I believe there were also grey feathers coming in on the sides if I remember correctly. Basically, the body looked to be in basic or eclipse plumage, molting to alternate.
Now for the disclaimer: I've never seen one of these before, hybrid or otherwise, but I had good looks at the bird, the head looked great for EUWI, and I didn't notice anything specific to suggest American Wigeon hybrid. Unfortunately I don't usually carry a camera with me, so I don't have photos. Anyways, I apologize if this does turn out to be a hybrid, but I just wanted to get the word out, as I can imagine other birders will be in the area this weekend and may want to check it out. If anyone else gets to see this bird I'd appreciate your thoughts. Also while at this location, I had two Little Gulls out on the lake, and I was also able to see the previously reported Spotted Towhee earlier in the day. Cheers, Jacob Directions: Port Rowan is on Lake Erie, near Long Point. From Highway 59, take Reg. Rd 42/Front Road east to Port Rowan. Turn right at the Boat House restaurant onto Dock Street. The pier extends from this street out into the lake. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
