Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting March 31, 2023 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): PINK-FOOTED GOOSE (Durham, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, York) Eurasian Wigeon (Durham) Green-winged Teal (EURASIAN x American) (hybrid) (Durham, Simcoe) TUFTED DUCK x scaup sp. (hybrid) (Northumberland, Toronto) Harlequin Duck (Durham, Grey, Simcoe, Toronto) Barrow's Goldeneye (Frontenac, Grey, Lanark, Ottawa) Eared Grebe (Norfolk, Northumberland) Western Grebe (Peel) Eurasian Collared-Dove (Essex, Simcoe) CALIFORNIA GULL (Hamilton) GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Bruce) Black Vulture (Niagara, Simcoe) LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Manitoulin) Black-billed Magpie (MIDDLESEX) LeConte's Sparrow (Grey) Henslow's Sparrow (Essex)
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. PINK-FOOTED GOOSE (Durham/York): The bird found by Dave Worthington on March 30 was seen regularly this week (mostly around Reesor Pond) to at least April 3. PINK-FOOTED GOOSE (Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry): Daniel Lafortune photographed one at Westley Point on April 6. Eurasian Wigeon (Durham): Mark Dorriesfield found a male at Cranberry Marsh that was seen by many on April 4. Green-winged Teal (EURASIAN x American) (hybrid) (Durham): Jax Nasimok photographed a male at Cranberry Marsh on April 1. Green-winged Teal (EURASIAN x American) (hybrid) (Simcoe): Willem Span found a male at Everett Gravel Pit on April 2 that at first looked to be a pure "Eurasian" but upon better photos and studies, showed characteristics of the intergrade. TUFTED DUCK x scaup sp (hybrid) (Northumberland): The male found by Robin Cunningham in Presqu'ile Bay on March 29 continued to at least April 4 and more detailed views/studies showed signs of hybridization with scaup. TUFTED DUCK x scaup (hybrid) (Toronto): The male found by Makail Johannesson at Tommy Thompson Park on January 28 continued to at least April 3. Harlequin Duck (multiple): There were continuing birds reported this week across the province from Durham, Grey, Simcoe, and Toronto. Barrow's Goldeneye (multiple): There were continuing birds reported this week from Grey, Lanark and Ottawa, plus a new bird reported by Christine Hough from Reed's Bay on Wolfe Island on April 2. Eared Grebe (Norfolk): One bird was found off the Inner Bay viewing stand on March 31 by Ted and Paula Gent. Eared Grebe (Northumberland): Andrea and Adam Holder and Julia Marshall reported one off Gosport on April 2. Western Grebe (Peel): The bird found by Markus Legzdins at J.C. Saddington Park in Port Credit on March 28 continued to at least April 6. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Essex): The bird found by Jeremy Hatt (presumably the returning bird from at least 2019) near 664 Albuna Townline in Leamington on March 22 continued to at least April 5. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Simcoe): Stephanie Diano reported one in Paradise Valley on April 2. CALIFORNIA GULL (Hamilton): James Lees reported one from Woodhill Road on April 4. GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Bruce): James Turland and Becky Grieveson photographed an apparent third year bird near Ripley on April 1 which may have been the same bird reported last week by Bill Lamond near Brantford. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to six birds were reported from Queenston this week. A single bird was reported at Beamer CA on April 2. Black Vulture (Simcoe): Viktor Moroz reported one over Orillia on April 2. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Manitoulin): The bird discovered in early January by the homeowner, Phyllis Caccioti, near Billings continued this week. The public viewing planned for April 1 has been postponed to April 15; please contact [email protected] for more information or to volunteer to help.. Black-billed Magpie (MIDDLESEX): Donald Pye found one at Big Bend CA on April 4 that was seen by several others one day only. LeConte's Sparrow (Grey): Brian Cromie reported one from Bognor Marsh Management Area on April 6. Henslow's Sparrow (Essex): Steve Pike found one near the tip of Point Pelee on April 4 that was seen by several others the same day. 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.
