Today (3 March 2020) was a very good day for waterfowl in Brantford. 16 species were observed on the Grand River upstream of Wilkes Dam. All of these were noted from the Brantford Golf & Country Club overlook or from the lookouts along the S.C. Johnson rail trail below. I cannot recall such a diverse assemblage of waterfowl on one day within the City. The highlight was the continuing Eurasian Wigeon that was observed on three occasions: at 8:50 a.m. by Sarah Lamond and Kathleen Gardiner; at 10:00 a.m. by Mike Hallett and Barb Charlton; and it was heard calling at 6:43 p.m. by Bill Lamond when it was quite dark. So the bird is still there but elusive. Several of the species were obvious migrants as they had not been seen anywhere in the County all winter.
Tundra Swan - 42 were observed sitting on islands by Kathleen Gardiner and Sarah Lamond at 7:30 a.m. They were joined by eight others at around 11:00 a.m. The flock remained there until 5:20. Just before this, they all became agitated and called frequently and waded into the water, all facing upstream, and then one took flight and the rest followed. It was a treat to see this happen and I was able to watch them fly away for about 10 minutes as they flew almost due west towards the setting sun. Mute Swan - one bird (has been here all winter) early in the morning with the Tundras Canada Goose - Lots of the many noisy residents. A migrant flock of 52 birds was noted about 5:00 p.m. Mallard - only a few in daytime but upwards of 100 at dusk. Black Duck - at least 14 noted. Wood Duck - three (2 males and one female) flew in at 5:00 p.m. and stayed until dark (migrants) Greater Scaup - one observed between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. but not later (migrant) Ring-necked Duck - a male was seen about 10:30 and was not noted after 1:30 p.m. (migrant) Canvasbacks - a male and female were noted after 11:45 a.m. and stayed until dark. (migrants) Common Goldeneye - about 330 were noted at dusk. Goldeneyes fly in to roost here and these high numbers have been observed at other times this winter at dusk. Bufflehead - about nine observed at dusk. Long-tailed Duck - a continuing female that showed up on river in early February. Red-breasted Merganser - two ad. males were observed by Mark Jennings between 11:45 and 1:30 but not observed subsequently. This is a rare species on the Grand River - not annual (migrants) Common Merganser - about 35 were observed at dusk. Hooded Merganser - one female noted after 4: 30 p.m. - birds have wintered at the Grand River this year. Also of note was a calling flock of Tundra Swans that flew over St George St in Brantford at 6:45 p.m. (Sarah Lamond). Bill _______________________________________________ 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
