For those interested in such oddities there is a sensational drake hybrid near the little burg of Union, Elgin County. It shows a fascinating intermixture of Mallard and Pintail features.
Union is on Hwy 4 south of St Thomas, about midway to Lake Erie at Pt Stanley. Drive east 1-2km on Sparta Line then north 1-200 meters on Fairview Ave. There is (just) room to park on the west shoulder beside the guard rails, looking over a marshy stretch of creek. But don't get out of your vehicle as the waterfowl will certainly fly away. The hybrid is part of an aggregation of 150-200 Mallards and Am. Black Ducks, and seems not to think it is abnormal in any way. Views are quite close with good opportunities for photography. The duck was found on Feb. 12 by Wade Beaudoin. Paul Prevett Union ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
