Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting March 25, 2022 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): Eurasian Wigeon (Brant, Chatham-Kent, Hastings) TUFTED DUCK (Leeds and Grenville) King Eider (Hamilton, Niagara, Toronto) Harlequin Duck (Durham) Barrow's Goldeneye (Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Lennox and Addington, Ottawa) Eurasian Collared-Dove (Chatham-Kent) Black Vulture (Niagara) Varied Thrush (Manitoulin) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Toronto, Waterloo) Harris's Sparrow (Durham, Prescott and Russell) Indigo Bunting (Bruce)
Details: I have tried to indicate the finder, where known. My apologies to those who I have left out. Eurasian Wigeon (Brant): Bill and Sarah Lamond found a male at Blue Creek Pond on March 27, but it could not subsequently be relocated. Eurasian Wigeon (Chatham-Kent): Presumably the same male found last week by Steve Charbonneau, Jim Burk reported one off Erieau on March 26. Eurasian Wigeon (Hastings): A male was photographed by Ken Fulsang on Aylea Rd, east of Barcovan Beach on March 28 and was seen again later the same day by Andrea Kingsley and Marie Wannamaker. TUFTED DUCK (Leeds and Grenville): The male found by Erwin Batalla on March 21 off Gananoque was last reported March 26. King Eider (Hamilton): A female continued in Stoney Creek in the vicinity of Grays Road and Sayer's Park with reports March 29 and 30. King Eider (Niagara): A young male was found March 30 off Niagara-on-the-lake by Ryan Grifiths. King Eider (Toronto): A young male was present daily this week off Marilyn Bell Park and Ontario Place. Harlequin Duck (Durham): Troy Blackwell reported a pair off Port Newcastle on March 25 and the male continued off Thickson's Point to at least March 29. Barrow's Goldeneye (Lanark): The male in Carleton Place was reported again this week to at least March 27. Barrow's Goldeneye (Leeds and Grenville): The male found last week by Jon Ruddy was just west of Browns Bay on March 25. Jon and Samar Ruddy found a young male at Grenville Park, east of Johnstown March 30. Barrow's Goldeneye (Lennox and Addington): Chris Ellingwood found a male in Bath off Heritage Point March 29 and it was reported again March 30 by several observers. Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa): At least one male was reported this week along the Rideau River near Strathcona Park. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Chatham-Kent): The Shrewsbury bird, found March 2 by Steve Charbonneau, was reported to at least March 29 this week. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to six birds were reported this week in Queenston. Varied Thrush (Manitoulin): One bird is visiting a feeder at a private residence between Mindemoya and Providence Bay. Local birders have permission to visit. 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 (Durham): One bird continued at a private residence in Coppin's Corners south of Uxbridge to at least March 28. 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." Indigo Bunting (Bruce): The Kincardine bird was reported again this week on March 25. 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.
