[Ontbirds]Ottawa River- Harlequin Duck

[Christina Lewis]

Hello Ontbirds people,

The Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count was held today Dec. 16. No numbers are known yet, as the post-count compilation was cancelled for the 1st time in recent history due to severe weather including strong NE winds (up to 50 km /hr) and cold temps (wind-chill of minus 27 degrees C in the AM) and extremely heavy snowfall and blowing snow which began ~ 9:00 AM.  The forecast if for up to perhaps 50 cm of snow by tomorrow morning. Eventually the results will come to light!

In the meantime, Daniel St-Hilaire of the Hull (Quebec) sector reported that the Harlequin Duck (yes, it is a female) was seen this morning on the Ottawa River east of the Champlain bridge, associating with several Common Goldeneye. Although this bird has not yet been seen on the Ontario side, it may fly back and forth across the river, as this species has done in the past. Also, along the Ottawa River Parkway, on both the Quebec and Ontario sides of the river, flocks of 200 - 500 Bohemian Waxwings were noted.

DIRECTIONS:

>From downtown Ottawa, take the Ottawa River Parkway west to Island Park Drive, turn right (north) onto the bridge to Quebec (Champlain bridge). At the north end of the bridge, turn right (east) at the traffic lights onto Lucerne Blvd. and park along the road.  Very shortly after the bridge, walk down to the old pump-house structure where there is a good vantage of the river.

Chris Lewis
Ottawa, Ontario
hagenius at primus.ca