Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting February 3, 2023 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): Blue-winged Teal (Simcoe) Harlequin Duck (Essex, Grey, Toronto) Barrow's Goldeneye (Chatham-Kent, Durham, Ottawa) Black-legged Kittiwake (Lambton, Niagara) GREAT CORMORANT (Hamilton) LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Manitoulin) Varied Thrush (Frontenac) Harris's Sparrow (Lambton) Yellow-headed Blackbird (Essex) Details: I have tried to indicate the finder, where known. My apologies to those who I have left out. You can help me by giving the finder's name(s), if known, in your eBird checklists. Blue-winged Teal (Simcoe): The long-staying bird at Collingwood Harbour remained to at least February 5. Harlequin Duck (many): There were continuing birds reported this week across the province from Grey and Toronto and a new bird in Essex. Barrow's Goldeneye (Chatham-Kent): Keith Burk found a male at Erieau on February 4 that remained to at least February 7. Barrow's Goldeneye (Durham): The bird off Whitby was seen again this week from various locations around Lynde Creek to at least February 8. Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa): The continuing two males from the Rideau River near Strathcona Park/the Rideau Tennis Club remained this week along with a female. Black-legged Kittiwake (Lambton): The bird that James Holdsworth found off Port Franks on February 2 continued this week with several reports to at least February 8. Black-legged Kittiwake (Niagara): Wally Parker found a young bird at Fort Erie on February 7 that remained to at least February 8. GREAT CORMORANT (Hamilton): The bird found by Alvan Buckley on December 20 was reported again this week from Van Wagner's Beach and Pier 4 Park to February 4. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Manitoulin): The bird discovered three weeks ago by the homeowner, Phyllis Caccioti, near Billings continued this week. There is currently no public viewing planned but more dates may be added in the future. Varied Thrush (Frontenac): One bird was found at a private residence this week in South Frontenac Township. Harris's Sparrow (Lambton): The bird found by James Holdsworth at the Willsie Pit on Bog Line between Thedford and Port Franks on November 18 has been seen by many to at least February 8. Yellow-headed Blackbird (Essex): Two birds were found this week: one near the intersection of Mersea Rd B and Mersea Rd 12 and another near northwest of Comber along Rochester Townline Rd north of County Rd 42. Report compiled by Mike Burrell from a variety of sources, primarily eBird; most other sources are listed here: http://ofo.ca/site/content/ontario-hotlines-and-news