Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting February 24, 2023 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (Toronto) TUFTED DUCK x scaup (hybrid) (Toronto) Harlequin Duck (Grey, Niagara Simcoe, Toronto) Barrow's Goldeneye (Chatham-Kent, Hastings, Ottawa) Lesser Yellowlegs (Chatham-Kent) Black Vulture (Essex, Hamilton, Muskoka, Niagara, Simcoe) LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Manitoulin) Boreal Chickadee (Essex) Harris's Sparrow (Lambton) Indigo Bunting (Peel)
Details: I have tried to indicate the finder, where known. My apologies to those who I have left out. You can help me by giving the finder's name(s),if known, in your eBird checklists. GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (Toronto): The male found by Margaret Hough at G. Ross Lord Park on February 21 continued to at least March 2. TUFTED DUCK x scaup (hybrid) (Toronto): The male found by Makail Johannesson at Tommy Thompson Park on January 28 continued to at least February 26. Harlequin Duck (multiple): There were continuing birds reported this week across the province from Grey, Niagara, Simcoe, and Toronto. Barrow's Goldeneye (multiple): There were continuing birds reported this week across the province from Chatham-Kent, Hastings, and Ottawa). Black Vulture (Muskoka): The bird found by David and Regan Goodyear in Bracebridge on February 20 continued to at least March 2. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to two birds were reported this week from the Queenston area. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Manitoulin): The bird discovered three weeks ago by the homeowner, Phyllis Caccioti, near Billings continued this week. There is a public viewing planned for March 4; please contact [email protected] for more information or to volunteer to help. Harris's Sparrow (Lambton): The bird found by James Holdsworth at the Willsie Pit on Bog Line between Thedford and Port Franks on November 18 has been seen by many to at least February 20. 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.
