I have just seen a Red-necked Grebe near the lighthouse at Presqu'ile,
which, like yesterday's unidentified bird, swam with its neck down and
its beak open as if ill. Unlike yesterday's bird, this one was close
enough to get a decent look at it. I suspect it was the same bird. I
apologize to anyone who might have planned to search for the "possible
alcid."
- Fred.
Fred Helleiner wrote:
Normally I wouldn't post an unidentified bird, but this one seems
worth providing a "head's up" to birders. On Friday afternoon a bird
was swimming fairly far out off the lighthouse at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park that has had me wondering about it ever since. My
first call was Horned Grebe, but in the 20 minutes or so that I
watched it before losing it in the waves I never felt comfortable with
that identification. For one thing, it never raised its head/neck to
the erect position typical of a Horned Grebe. The bill, which seemed
to be open all the time, was dainty like that of a Horned Grebe. I
had no field guide with me at the time to compare its plumage with
other possible birds. If anyone with experience of alcids could find
the bird and confirm that it was not one, I should be grateful. I
should be even more grateful if someone with experience of alcids
could find it and confirm that it _is_ an alcid, perhaps a murrelet,
and rush to my door nearby to come and get me.
To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton.
Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid
that is available at the Park gate.
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--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
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