Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting March 19, 2021 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): BARNACLE GOOSE (Elgin, Ottawa) Eurasian Wigeon (Norfolk) GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (York) King Eider (Essex, Hamilton) Harlequin Duck (Bruce, Durham, Middlesex) Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa, Peterborough) Eurasian Collared-Dove (Essex) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Ottawa, York) Purple Sandpiper (Durham) NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Toronto) American White Pelican (Essex) Black Vulture (Essex, Niagara) Lark Sparrow (Ottawa) Harris's Sparrow (Norfolk) SPOTTED TOWHEE (Middlesex) Yellow-headed Blackbird (Algoma)
BARNACLE GOOSE (Elgin): The Aylmer bird was seen again March 19 at Aylmer WMA and March 21 at the sewage lagoons. BARNACLE GOOSE (Ottawa): One bird was near Carp March 22 and then again closer to Kinburn on March 25. Eurasian Wigeon (Norfolk): A male was at Port Rowan Wetland March 24 and 25 and a second bird (possibly a hybrid) was off Old Cut March 25. GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (York): What is likely the Toronto bird was still at Pomona Mills Park in Markham at least March 19. King Eider (Essex): A female was off Point Pelee March 21. King Eider (Hamilton): Up to five birds were present off Stoney Creek March 19-20. Harlequin Duck (Bruce): The male was back at Lions Head again this week, March 22. Harlequin Duck (Durham): The male that has been seen off and on this winter was off Thickson's Point again this week with sightings March 19-23. Harlequin Duck (Middlesex): The young male continued near the North London Athletic fields at least until March 23. Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa): A male continued on the Rideau River in the vicinity of Strathcona Park. Barrow's Goldeneye (Peterborough): A young male was found on Rice Lake March 21 and seend again March 24. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Essex): One bird was reported from Albuna Townline between Mersea Rd 6 and 7 on March 20-24. This is the same area where up to two birds were present for much of last year. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Ottawa): An incredibly early individual was photographed south of Navan on March 22. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (York): Another incredibly early individual was reported from Aurora March 21. Purple Sandpiper (Durham): The Thickson Point bird was reported to at least March 23. NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Toronto): One bird was photographed at Downsview Park March 25 and possibly the same bird was reported later the same day off Tommy Thompson Park. American White Pelican (Essex): Up to 40 were reported around Amherstburg March 24-25. Black Vulture (Essex): One bird was at Point Pelee and nearby March 20-22. Black Vulture (Niagara): One bird passed over the Beamer CA hawk watch March 23. Lark Sparrow (Ottawa): After not being seen last week, this bird was seen again March 24 and 25. It is visiting feeders at 8735 McCaffrey Trail near Ashton. The homeowner (Brian Jeffery) is happy to share it with birders: park on the road and walk into his driveway. It comes with American Tree Sparrows to the wooden ramp at the back corner of the house where they put seed on the ground. Harris's Sparrow (Norfolk): The Port Dover bird was reported again this week. SPOTTED TOWHEE (Middlesex): The London bird was seen regularly to at least March 24. The feeders are located on private property but can be viewed from a public path located at the end of Killarney Road East, past the roundabout. Walking south on the path, the feeders are between the second and third row of condos visible from the path. When not on the deck feeding, it goes under the spruce trees close to the feeders. Yellow-headed Blackbird (Algoma): The male between Iron Bridge and Thessalon continued this week. Report compiled by Mike Burrell from a variety of sources, primarily eBird; most other sources 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 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.
