An adult male Harlequin Duck was found today by myself and Theresa Dobko near "Sand Beach Road Parkette”. We had been looking for the previously reported immature Harlequin from several vantage points along the shoreline east of Col. Sam Smith’s when we found this bird instead. He was showing the dark red & blue plumage with distinct white markings of a mature male. It was diving in the rough surf within 20 feet of the shoreline, and associating with two female Buffleheads. It would sometimes aggressively chase away any male Buffleheads that came too close to the females. We first spotted him just before noon, and watched him fly a short distance west towards Prince of Wales Park before we left. Perhaps this is the same individual that was reported in the general area a few weeks ago.
Earlier in the day (approx. 8:15 am) we also observed the recently reported immature King Eider swimming very close to the Humber River pedestrian bridge. Directions for the Harlequin: “Sand Beach Road Parkette” is a tiny patch of grass at the bottom of Sand Beach Road; just south of Lakeshore Blvd West, east of Kipling Ave, and west of Royal York Road. It is possible that the bird may also be found near Prince of Wales Park, just to the west between Second & Third Street. Directions for the King Eider: The Humber River pedestrian bridge (the large white span bridge) can be accessed from Sir Casimir Gzowski Park along Lakeshore Blvd West where there is ample parking or from the “Palace Pier Park” on the west side but I am unsure of the parking availabilities there. Photos of both birds can be found on my Flickr page here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/95264878@N02/15728186058/in/photostream/ Good Birding, Kris Ito Toronto _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - 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
