[Ontbirds]Harlequin Duck and Pine Grosbeak at Rondeau

[Keith Burk]

Hi all,

Today January 27 I had a couple of interesting birds.

First was a female Harlequin Duck on Rondeau Bay at Erieau. It was swimming
in the last open puddle of water on the bay and the lake for that matter!
The lake for the last couple of days has been frozen over here. There is an
assortment of other waterfowl in the hole.

This afternoon my dad and I had a female Pine Grosbeak just west of Cedar
Springs, Chatham-Kent. It first flew over calling and then landed in the top
of a spruce tree. We watched it for about 5 minutes. A Sharpshin headed
toward it and forced the bird to fly.
We never saw it again. This is the first record for the Rondeau area in 27
years!

The last bird of the day was the Harris' Sparrow. It continues at it's usual
locale. Also of note, were 15000+ Snow Buntings. I had one flock alone with
10000 birds in it. I got a picture of this. It was phenomenal!

Jim Burk
Blenheim, On.

Directions for Harlequin Duck:

Take Highway 3 west of Blenheim 3 km. Turn left on Erieau Rd. Stay on this
road til you get to Erieau. Once in Erieau keep right until you get to a
three way stop. Turn left and then a quick right. Stay to the left. Turn
left again 2 streets down, and then turn right at the next road. Proceed to
the end, the puddle is on your left.

Directions for Pine Grosbeak:

Take highway 3 west out of Blenheim and thru Cedar Springs. Turn left on
Douglas Lane. It is the second road after Cedar Springs. It was in this
general area between highway 3 and the lake on the right.