Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting August 4, 2023 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): Western Grebe (Toronto) LIMPKIN (Lanark) LITTLE BLUE HERON (Essex) Black-billed Magpie (ELGIN) Blue Grosbeak (Chatham-Kent)
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. Western Grebe (Toronto): The one found by George Koppel at Colonel Sam Smith Park on July 27 continued to at least August 4. LIMPKIN (Lanark): Nui Esser photographed one along the MIssissippi River downstream of Dalhousie Lake on August 6 that has been subsequently seen by several observers to at least August 10. LITTLE BLUE HERON (Chatham-Kent): Tristan Snip photographed an immature at John R. Park Homestead CA on August 3 that was seen again the next day. Two immatures were then found in the egret roost near Amherstburg on August 8 and seen by several observers to at least August 10. Black-billed Magpie (Elgin): The family group first reported July 26 by Trish Snider on Fingal Line near St. Thomas were seen by many this week. The homeowners report that the family has been there for some time, with at least four newly-fledged young. Please respect the homeowner's property and only view from the roadside. Blue Grosbeak (Chatham-Kent): The singing male found by Paul Pratt five weeks ago near Tilbury remained to at least August 7. 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.
