Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the week starting December 23, 2022 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): Harlequin Duck (Algoma, Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Middlesex, Northumberland, Ottawa, Toronto) Barrow's Goldeneye (Grey, Ottawa) RAZORBILL (Niagara) Black-legged Kittiwake (Huron, Lambton, Leeds and Grenville, Simcoe) GREAT CORMORANT (Hamilton) Black Vulture (Niagara) Boreal Chickadee (Essex) MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Grey) Townsend's Solitaire (Durham) Harris's Sparrow (Lambton) LeConte's Sparrow (Peel) SPOTTED TOWHEE (Algoma) Western Meadowlark (Northumberland) 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. Harlequin Duck (many): There were at least ten different birds reported this week across the province, from Algoma, Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Middlesex, Northumberland, Ottawa, and Toronto. Barrow's Goldeneye (Grey): Presumably the same male found November 3 by William Gray remained to at least December 29 around Owen Sound. Barrow's Goldeneye (Ottawa): The one near Strathcona Park/the Rideau Tennis Club found in early November and the second male found December 18 both remained this week, to at least December 29. RAZORBILL (Niagara): At least two of the birds found in early December off Niagara-on-the-lake remained to at least December 29. Black-legged Kittiwake (Huron): The bird found by James and Simon Turland on December 17 remained at Goderich harbour to at least December 28. Black-legged Kittiwake (Lambton): James Holdsworth reported one from Port Franks on December 28. Black-legged Kittiwake (Leeds and Grenville): Bruce Di Labio reported one from Grays Beach just east of Gananoque on December 25. Black-legged Kittiwake (Simcoe): Mark Gawn reported one just east of Collingwood on December 25. GREAT CORMORANT (Hamilton): The bird found by Alvan Buckley on December 20 was reported again this week from Pier 4 Park and Bayfront Park to at least December 28. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to two birds were reported this week from Queenston. Boreal Chickadee (Essex): One bird was found by Cameron Chevalier and Michael and Steve McAllister at Holiday Beach on December 27 that was subsequently seen by many observers to at least December 29. MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Grey): The bird found by William Gray near Benallen on December 12 was seen by many to at least December 29. Townsend's Solitaire (Durham): The bird found by Charmaine Anderson on Brock Road north of Wilfrid on December 8 continued this week, seen by many to at least December 29. 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 December 29. LeConte's Sparrow (Peel): The bird found by Peter L in Mississauga near Wood Creek Park on December 5 continued to be seen by many to at least December 29. SPOTTED TOWHEE (Algoma): The bird found by Tony Ward visiting their property in Thessalon on November 18 remained to at least December 28. Western Meadowlark (Northumberland): One bird was found December 25 on Deer Park Road between Morrish and Welcome that was seen by several observers to at least December 28. 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