Hey folks, I was out to do the first Ontario Shorebird Survey for this year at the wetlands and despite the rotten weather I had some great birds.
There were 3 RED-NECKED GREBES in the fenced in cell and at least one (which I was able to photograph) was in pretty much breeding plumage and looking awesome! The others were sleeping and kept their heads tucked in so I wasn’t able to get much on them for colour or plumage. There were also 7 HORNED GREBES in the largest cell at the back! 6 of these birds were hanging loosely together but appeared to be paired up. The 7th bird was alone in the NW corner of this cell and was in transition between basic and breeding plumage. I should also mention that I had a strange looking Green-winged Teal male…. the face on this bird was very tawny pale and contrasted sharply to the green on the upper part of the head so the bird really stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the other male GWTE around him. This bird also exhibited almost no vertical white stripe by the breast. Not saying it’s anything more than perhaps a plumage aberration but perhaps someone else can get a look at it or a photo and see what they think. Otherwise, there’s a decent variety of waterfowl species and I watched several flights arrive as I was heading back around to my car so you never know what else may have dropped in. :) Note that Wednesday’s weather is looking WET and WINDY which may hold these birds over for the next couple of days… while Thursday is looking much more pleasant and it may be worth a visit that morning. My eBird checklist (and you can click the map icon for directions) can be found here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55617655 <https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55617655> Good birding! Dave _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
