[Ontbirds]Harlequin Duck - Ottawa, ON

[Patrick Blake]

After searching for this elusive specimen for almost two months, I finally saw the overwintering harlequin female off the Champlain Bridge between Ontario and Quebec at around 7:45am this morning.  She was feeding with a flock of about 10 goldeneyes (all Commons unfortunately - there are reports of a Barrow's on the Ottawa River, but I haven't seen that one either).  Later on at 10am, she was still in the same place, and still feeding with the same flock.

DIRECTIONS:

417W to exit 123.  Turn right onto Island Park Drive.  Follow this road until you reach the Champlain Bridge to cross over to Quebec.   Park on Bate Island, midway across the bridge, and use the sidewalk on the bridge to walk towards the Quebec side.  The Harlequin was closer to the Quebec shore.
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