Canada (Ontario)
May 8 2023
molting, outside normal range
Point Pelee National Park - This is the most unlikely bird to ever visit the southernmost point of mainland Canada and a record for this Arctic wanderer. Hundreds of observers saw the bird within its five hour visit before it flew off towards a destination even further south, Pelee Island, 16km away. In typical ptarmigan fashion it paid no attention to its admirers, at times approaching to within a few feet of them.
May 19 2023
18
That is indeed incredible. While at Long Point I overheard talk of this occurrence. Glad you caught up with him!
I have seen birds in northern Quebec but not in Ontario and to have one show up on this trip was an experience beyond incredible. Ironically we were watching the appearance of the bird on its journey which was first noted in Toronto a number of days earlier then possibly Burlington, then Port Stanley, Wheatley the day before and then Point Pelee before a final flight south to Pelee Island with no further updates. Hundreds of people saw this species for the first time that morning. The discovery close by at Wheatley the previous day was a closely guarded secret known only to a few local birders. All that changed before 6:00 a.m. when it showed up at the southern Tip of the park and the whole birding world knew. It made regional media news and I discovered moments ago that so did I. I was in the throng captured on video by a local broadcaster and aired on CBC (I recognized my hat and jacket) 🙂 https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2204262979681
Amazing to see in this location!!!!
Great catch
Absolutely. We were all stunned, with most seeing the bird for the first time. I considered heading north last winter when birds started showing up near Lac St. Jean Quebec but never made it. This meant I had a different kind of show, which I shared with hundreds of my closest friends. 🙂