Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting January 29, 2021 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): Ross's Goose (Chatham-Kent, Hamilton) Greater White-fronted Goose (Haldimand) King Eider (Hamilton, Toronto) Harlequin Duck (Algoma, Bruce, Middlesex, Peel) Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa) White-winged Dove (Simcoe) Purple Sandpiper (Essex) SLATY-BACKED GULL (Toronto) Pacific Loon (Hamilton) Great Egret (Essex) Black Vulture (Niagara) Gyrfalcon (Bruce) Harris's Sparrow (Elgin) SPOTTED TOWHEE (Algoma) Yellow-headed Blackbird (Algoma) Western Meadowlark (Thunder Bay) Cape May Warbler (Peel) Dickcissel (Norfolk)
Ross's Goose (Hamilton): The pair of juveniles continued at Bayfront Park. Greater White-fronted Goose (Haldimand): Up to ten birds were west of Dunnville January 29-31 and possibly the same flock (up to nine birds) was in Dunnville February 2. King Eider (Hamilton): Up to five birds remained in Stoney Creek off Fruitland Road January 30. King Eider (Toronto): A female was at Humber Bay Park East February 1-4. Harlequin Duck (Algoma): The two females were reported again at Whitefish Island this week. Harlequin Duck (Bruce): the male at Lions Head was seen this week again January 29-February 1. Harlequin Duck (Middlesex): The young male continued near the North London Athletic fields. Harlequin Duck (Peel): The adult male and female continued in Mississauga and were joined by a second female and a young male at least on February 3. Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa): A male continued on the Rideau River in the vicinity of Strathcona Park. White-winged Dove (Simcoe): The bird continued in Coldwater around 10 Harriet Street. Purple Sandpiper (Essex): Up to two birds were at the east side of Hillman Marsh (lake side) January 29-31. SLATY-BACKED GULL (Toronto): "The" Toronto bird re-appeared this week around the OUter Harbour Marina February 1 and again February 4. Pacific Loon (Hamilton): The wintering bird was reported again this week in Hamilton Harbour January 30. Great Egret (Essex): One bird was at Hillman Marsh January 29-February 3. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to six birds were reported this week from Queenston. Gyrfalcon (Bruce): A gray morph was photographed near Lion's Head January 29. Harris's Sparrow (Elgin): One bird, which has apparently been present since at least January, was seen by many observers in a hemp field at the east corner of Hawk Cliff Rd and Dexter Line (east of Port Stanley). SPOTTED TOWHEE (Algoma): Tje Atlas Street. Sault Ste Marie bird was seen by a few observers this week. Yellow-headed Blackbird (Algoma): The male between Iron Bridge and Thessalon continued this week.. Western Meadowlark (Thunder Bay): The Manitouwadge bird continued this week. Cape May Warbler (Peel): One bird was photographed coming to a private backyard feeder in Port Credit. Dickcissel (Norfolk): The Port Rowan bird continued this week. Report compiled by Mike Burrell from a variety of sources, most of which are listed here: http://ofo.ca/site/content/ontario-hotlines-and-news -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines To edit your membership settings visit the Birdnews setup page at: http://ontbirds.ca/mailman/listinfo/birdnews_ontbirds.ca. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
