Ontbirders It is possible that the grebes are not so much frozen out of the Great Lakes but are spring migrants. Over the past 50+ years at Hamilton there have been numerous instances of RNGR turning up during the second half of February in small numbers on L. Ontario or Hamilton Harbour. Usually, these arrivals coincide with a push of warm air. In fact, Rob Dobos found nine RNGR on Hamilton Harbour last Friday, 21 February, the second day of the warm air. More important probably was that it was after a warm night when the grebes would be migrating.We have in our Club bird records always considered such instances to be "firsts of the migration". This time as on other such major flights some birds are turning up inland on roads and frozen lakes. They mistake dark asphalt for water and then cannot subsequently take off.
So I think these birds arrived a week ago in numbers and, to corroborate what Willy is saying, perhaps the ensuing cold snap has reduced their feeding options. Bob Bob Curry and Glenda Slessor 3115 New St. Unit 30 Burlington, ON Canada L7N 3T6 905-637-2022 [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Bob and Glenda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
