Greetings ONTBirders: I spent a chilly few hours birding along the Rideau River. I checked the river near Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, and in a small group of four COMMON GOLDENEYE there was a single female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. I studied it for some time before being sure of the identification. The bird had an obvious yellow beak, much darker overall plumage that the other four Commons in the group (especially in the head, which appeared almost black). The white patches on the wings were more subdued than the Commons, and when compared with the other females it was easy to discern an almost-vertical forehead rather than the sloping forehead typical of Commons. The female was still there, just between the Shopping Centre and the bridge on Bank Street, as of 1:15pm. Good birding! Pat DIRECTIONS: The Billings Bridge Shopping Centre is on Riverside Drive between Bank Street and the Bronson Street bridge. The Barrow's was located on the river near the bridge on Bank Street. _________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
