It is apparent that there is a massive invasion of Red-necked Grebes occurring in NY, PA, and Ontario, presumably birds that have been frozen out of their Great Lakes wintering areas. Exactly which lakes these birds normally use is still in question. Lake Erie has been essentially completely frozen for several weeks and obviously is not a candidate. Lake Superior and Lake Huron have recently become frozen and Lakes Ontario and Michigan are now about 50% frozen.
Yesterday, Feb. 28th, Don Harris counted 206 Red-necked Grebes at Dunkirk Harbor on Lake Erie, a spot that stays open all winter due to warm-water discharge from a power plant. Those birds had not been seen there a week prior to this count. Today, Betsy Potter, Tom Bearss, and I counted 53 Red-necked Grebes on the upper Niagara River (44 in Fort Erie and 9 near Navy Island). Some of the grebes were exceptionally close, right next to shore at the pull-offs in Fort Erie. This was hardly a complete survey and thus, it seems likely that there are many more than we counted. The first report on the river was of a single bird this Thursday, the 27th. There have been reports of 14, 29, and 65 birds at different spots in Pennsylvania and several reports of from one to nine birds at many places in Ontario and western and central NY and three singles off Long Island. Since this is a rare occurrence, I would urge birders to get out and enjoy the spectacle. And don't forget to send in your reports to your local bird compiler! Good birding! Willie -------------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Niagara Falls, N.Y. [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
