Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the weeks starting February 23, 2024 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): Eurasian Wigeon (Chatham-Kent, Huron/Lambton) Green-winged Teal (EURASIAN) (Hamilton) TUFTED DUCK x scaup sp. (hybrid) (Toronto) Willow Ptarmigan (COCHRANE) SLATY-BACKED GULL (Niagara) Pacific Loon (Hamilton) American White Pelican (Essex) Black Vulture (Niagara) Townsend's Solitaire (Essex, Halton, Perth) EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Algoma) Yellow-headed Blackbird (Lambton) BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Toronto) Yellow-rumped Warbler (AUDUBON'S) (Chatham-Kent) WESTERN TANAGER (Ottawa) 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. Eurasian Wigeon (Chatham-Kent): Jim Burk found a male off Erieau on February 25 that continued to at least February 29. Eurasian Wigeon (Huron/Lambton): James Holdsworth photographed a possible female at Grand Bend Sewage Lagoons on February 24. Green-winged Teal (EURASIAN) (Hamilton): The male found by David Moffatt at Windermere Basin on February 5 continued to at least February 26. TUFTED DUCK x scaup sp. (hybrid) (Toronto): The male bird found February 9 off Tommy Thompson Park continued to at least February 27. Willow Ptarmigan (COCHRANE): At least six birds along Hwy 652 (Detour Lake Mine Rd) were reported by several observers to at least February 25. SLATY-BACKED GULL (Niagara): The bird found by Ryan Griffiths at Lock 7 in Thorold on February 4 continued to at least February 25. Pacific Loon (Halton/Hamilton): The one found by Keith Dieroff at Yacht Club harbour on December 4 was reported February 23 from Yacht Club Harbour. American White Pelican (Essex): Up to 112 birds were reported from Holiday Beach February 23-26. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to four birds were reported this period in the Queenston area. Townsend's Solitaire (Essex): The bird Jim Burk photographed on Shuster Trail in Point Pelee on February 3, possibly the bird found by Jeremy Bensette and Kate Derbyshire at DeLaurier in Point Pelee on November 19, continued to at least February 27. Townsend's Solitaire (Halton): Christine Elliott found and photographed one by the Halton Hills Public Library in Acton on February 27. Townsend's Solitaire (Perth): The bird found by Terry Hastings on February 21 in St. Marys continued to at least February 25. EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Algoma): The birds, first found by Trent Massey on Nov 9, 2023 in Thessalon but not reported since late November and then refound by Rob Routledge on January 27 continued this week with a single bird reported on February 25. Yellow-headed Blackbird (Chatham-Kent): Jim Burk photographed four at Walpole Island on February 24. BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Toronto): One bird, which has apparently been present since January 7 was found this week and identified around the SW end of High Park. Many observers saw the bird to at least February 29. Yellow-rumped Warbler (AUDUBON'S): The bird found by Blake Mann at Rondeau PP on November 30 was seen again this week to at least February 24. WESTERN TANAGER (Ottawa): The male bird found November 27th continues in Ottawa at the temporary OFO feeders in McCarthy's Woods. Food donations are welcome. Avoid searching for the bird near local homes and please use the eBird stakeout hotspot. Park on Gillespie and follow the trails to the feeders located at https://goo.gl/maps/KUZyXAJxgLJRX3uy8 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