Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting January 27, 2023 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): Blue-winged Teal (Simcoe) TUFTED DUCK x scaup sp. (hybrid) (Toronto) King Eider (Niagara/Hamilton) Harlequin Duck (Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, Simcoe, Toronto) Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa, Durham) Black-legged Kittiwake (Lambton) Pacific Loon (Halton) GREAT CORMORANT (Hamilton) Black Vulture (Niagara) LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Manitoulin) Black-billed Magpie (ALGOMA) Harris's Sparrow (Lambton)
Details: I have tried to indicate the finder, where known. My apologies to those who I have left out. You can help me by giving the finder's name(s), if known, in your eBird checklists. Blue-winged Teal (Simcoe): The long-staying bird at Collingwood Harbour remained to at least February 2. TUFTED DUCK x scaup sp. (hybrid) (Toronto): Makail Johannesson photographed a male at Tommy THompson Park on January 28. King Eider (Hamilton/Niagara): The female type bird found by Cody Bassindale and Liam Thorne on January 1 continued this week to at least January 31. Harlequin Duck (many): There were continuing birds reported this week across the province from Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, Simcoe and Toronto. Barrow's Goldeneye (Durham): The bird off Whitby was seen again this week from various locations around Lynde Creek to at least January 31. Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa): The continuing two males from the Rideau River near Strathcona Park/the Rideau Tennis Club remained this week. Black-legged Kittiwake (Lambton): James Holdsworth photographed a young bird off Port Franks on February 2. Pacific Loon (Halton): The bird found by Rich Poort off LaSalle Park on January 24 was reported by many observers again this week, to February 1. GREAT CORMORANT (Hamilton): The bird found by Alvan Buckley on December 20 was reported again this week pretty well daily from Van Wagner's Beach, Yacht Club Harbour and LaSalle Park. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to three birds were reported this week from Queenston. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Manitoulin): The bird discovered three weeks ago by the homeowner, Phyllis Caccioti, near Billings continued this week. There is currently no public viewing planned but more dates may be added in the future. Black-billed Magpie (ALGOMA): The long-staying (since 2015!) bird near Echo Lake was reported this week. Harris's Sparrow (Lambton): The bird found by James Holdsworth at the Willsie Pit on Bog Line between Thedford and Port Franks on November 18 has been seen by many to at least January 31. 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.
