Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting March 11, 2022 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): King Eider (Toronto) Harlequin Duck (Toronto) Barrow's Goldeneye (Leeds and Grenville, Ottawa) Townsend's Solitaire (Simcoe) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Toronto, Waterloo) Harris's Sparrow (Prescott and Russell)
Details: I have tried to indicate the finder, where known. My apologies to those who I have left out. King Eider (Toronto): There was a young male at Trillium Park/Ontario Place March 13-17 which is very likely the bird found previously by Nancy Barrett at Humber Bay Park east. There was also a sighting this week from March 14 at Colonel Sam Smith Park which again, may have been the same bird. Harlequin Duck (Toronto): The continuing bird around Ontario Place/Marilyn Bell Park was reported to at least March 14. A young male continued off Ashbridge's Bay Park to at least March 14. Barrow's Goldeneye (Leeds and Grenville): Mark Patry reported a female at Grenville Park in Johnstown, on March 15. Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa): One bird was reported this week along the Rideau River near Strathcona Park. Townsend's Solitaire (Simcoe): The bird found by John Challis in his backyard along Green River Drive in Washago was seen by many observers again this week to at least March 17. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Toronto): The Scarborough Golden-crowned Sparrow found by Karl Konze continued this week. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Waterloo): Georg Hentsch's bird at his feeders on Bannister Lake was enjoyed by many happy birders again this week. Harris's Sparrow (Prescott and Russell): The bird at 1696 Vankleek Hill Rd remained all week. The owner reports that "Birders welcome btwn 9am-noon in the front yard. The bird is very skittish and often hides in the spruce tree or birch before feeding on the ground with the juncos, etc. The feeder is visible from the street and front yard beside the driveway. High traffic county road, be safe." 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 Mike Burrell -- 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.
