Ontbirders, This morning on the Collingwood CBC John Brett, Fergus Nicoll and I found a male Harlequin Duck near shore at the far north end of Raglin St. adjacent to the water treatment plant in Collingwood. It was loosely associating with half a dozen Common Goldeneyes and a single Long-tailed Duck.
Shortly after 1600 John and I met up with Marie-Anne Brett in Whitby, just in time to see the Smew. We found the bird relatively quickly in the far west end of the harbour, but it was not easy to keep track of in the snow, between frequent dives, and decreasing light levels. We managed to keep up with the bird until dark when it was last observed around 1645 sleeping in the same location - just behind the red bouy MX8. A strong word of caution about this bird. At a distance it strikes an incredible physical and behavioral resemblance to a Horned Grebe, which was also hanging out in the same area. It was cause for some confusion until they came into the same scope view. Good birding, Stu To get to the Harlequin follow hwy 126 to Collingwood then turn right on Raglin St. and follow it to the water treatment facility - scan lake from here. To get to the Smew follow Brock St. south from the 401 to Whitby harbour- parking is on the right. ____________________ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
