Ontario Rare Bird Alert for the weeks starting February 9 and 16, 2024 Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list): Green-winged Teal (EURASIAN) (Hamilton) TUFTED DUCK x scaup sp. (hybrid) (Toronto) Willow Ptarmigan (COCHRANE) Eared Grebe (Grey) Sanderling (Northumberland) SLATY-BACKED GULL (Niagara) Black Vulture (Niagara) PRAIRIE FALCON (Timiskaming) Townsend's Solitaire (Essex, Frontenac, Perth, Prince Edward) EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Algoma, Thunder Bay) GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH (Kenora) Lark Sparrow (Frontenac) Harris's Sparrow (Thunder Bay, Waterloo) Yellow-headed Blackbird (Chatham-Kent) 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. Green-winged Teal (EURASIAN) (Hamilton): The male found by David Moffatt at Windermere Basin on February 5 continued to at least February 22. TUFTED DUCK x scaup sp. (hybrid) (Toronto): A male bird was seen and photographed off Tommy Thompson Park several times at least February 9 to 22. Willow Ptarmigan (COCHRANE): At least seven birds from three or four locations along Hwy 652 (Detour Lake Mine Rd) were reported by several observers February 18. Eared Grebe (Grey): The bird William Gray photographed in Gravelly Bay north of Owen Sound on February 4 continued to at least February 19, possibly the same bird found by Alvan Buckley January 5 in Meaford. Sanderling (Northumberland): Jo Li photographed one at Owen Point in Presqu'ile PP on February 10 that was reported again to at least February 16. SLATY-BACKED GULL (Niagara): The bird found by Ryan Griffiths at Lock 7 in Thorold on February 4 continued to at least February 21. Black Vulture (Niagara): Up to four birds were reported this period in the Queenston area. PRAIRIE FALCON (Timiskaming): Amanda Guercio and Gray Carlin found one east of Hilliardton Marsh on February 11 and 13. Pacific Loon (Halton/Hamilton): The one found by Keith Dieroff at Yacht Club harbour on December 4 was reported JFebruary 5 and 7 off LaSalle Park. 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 21. Townsend's Solitaire (Frontenac): Paul Martin found one near the intersection of Burbrook and Cole Hill Rds (presumably the same bird he found at this location in November but not seen since) on February 20. Townsend's Solitaire (Perth): Terry Hastings found and photographed one in St. Marys on February 21 that was seen by several others February 22. Townsend's Solitaire (Prince Edward): The bird found by Paul Jones at Sandbanks PP on December 24 continued to be seen by many observers to at least February 15. 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 up to three individuals to at least February 17. EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Thunder Bay): Pegg and Mark Campbell photographed one in Terrace Bay on February 9. GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH (Kenora): Eric Matheson found one on Rabbit Lake Rd in Kenora on February 9 and possibly the same bird was reported by Christopher Martin on February 11 about a kilometre away, on Birchwood Crescent. Lark Sparrow (Frontenac): The bird was found near Lemoine Point in Kingston by Sharon David on January 15 continued and was seen by many to at least February 19. Harris's Sparrow (Thunder Bay): Brian Ratcliff reported the continuing bird in Terrace Bay on February 18. Harris's Sparrow (Waterloo): The bird found by Marion Mills Maier at their Reidsville property on January 19 continued to at least February 20. Yellow-headed Blackbird (Chatham-Kent): J. Fraser reported two birds at St. Claire NWA along Balmoral Drive on February 21. 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 17. 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