Seen at 2:00 today (Friday, Jan 2nd). Observed briefly on the south side of the canal pier at medium range in good light: very large, stocky and brown with large sloping (“Canvasback-type”) bill. It took off as I approached and before I could get my camera on it. In flight, dark brown with no white or other wing markings – again appearing very large. It circled the end of the pier and turned back toward the lift bridge, hopefully heading into Hamilton Harbour where it may hopefully be seen and confirmed by other birders. Given the brief look and without a photo I consider it “probable” until confirmed, but it seemed much larger than the female King Eider I saw (at this same location) last year, and it appeared to have the bill shape of Common’s I’ve seen off the coast of Nova Scotia.
Good birding, Alain _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
