Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting March 12, 2021 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): BARNACLE GOOSE (Elgin) GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (York) King Eider (Hamilton) Harlequin Duck (Bruce, Durham, Middlesex, Peel) Barrow's Goldeneye (Algoma, Durham, Leeds and Grenville, Ottawa) Eurasian Collared-Dove (Essex) Purple Sandpiper (Durham) Black Vulture (Niagara, Norfolk, Prince Edward) Gyrfalcon (Greater Sudbury, Ottawa) Townsend's Solitaire (Leeds and Grenville, Muskoka) Harris's Sparrow (Norfolk) Yellow-headed Blackbird (Algoma) Western Meadowlark (Thunder Bay)
BARNACLE GOOSE (Elgin):One bird was found March 17 at Aylmer Sewage Lagoons and then seen March 18 at Aylmer WMA. GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (York): What is likely the Toronto bird was still at Pomona Mills Park in Markham at least March 15 and 16. King Eider (Hamilton): Up to seven birds were present off Stoney Creek March 12-15. Harlequin Duck (Bruce): The male was back at Lions Head again this week, March 16. Harlequin Duck (Durham): The male that has been seen off and on this winter was off Thickson's Point again all week. Harlequin Duck (Middlesex): The young male continued near the North London Athletic fields. Harlequin Duck (Peel): Three birds were photographed at Lakefront Promenade Park, Mississauga March 15. Barrow's Goldeneye (Algoma): A female was again reported off Sault Ste. Marie, this week on March 16. Barrow's Goldeneye (Durham): A male was off Thickson's Point March 16 and then off Cranberry Marsh March 17. Barrow's Goldeneye (Leeds and Grenville): A male and a female were reported off Prescott March 12. Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa): A male continued on the Rideau River in the vicinity of Strathcona Park. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Essex): One bird was reported from Albuna Townline between Mersea Rd 6 and 7 on March 16 and 17. This is the same area where up to two birds were present for much of last year. Purple Sandpiper (Durham): One bird was at Thickson's Point again this week. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to four birds were reported this week from Queenston. Black Vulture (Norfolk): One bird was photographed near Clear Creek on March 14. Black Vulture (Prince Edward): One bird continued in Picton this week. Gyrfalcon (Greater Sudbury): One bird was photographed near Sudbury March 16. Gyrfalcon (Ottawa): One bird was photographed near Ottawa and seen by several observers March 13. Townsend's Solitaire (Leeds and Grenville): The bird reported a couple times in the past few weeks near Escott was seen again near 1243 County Rd 2 on March 12. Townsend's Solitaire (Muskoka): The Huntsville bird was reported regularly this week along the Hunter's Bay Trail to at least March 17. Harris's Sparrow (Norfolk): The Port Dover bird was reported again this week. Yellow-headed Blackbird (Algoma): The male between Iron Bridge and Thessalon continued this week. Western Meadowlark (Thunder Bay): The Manitouwadge bird continued this week. Report compiled by Mike Burrell from a variety of sources, primarily eBird; most other sources are listed here: http://ofo.ca/site/content/ontario-hotlines-and-news -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
