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Mountain Bluebird (18)

Sialia currucoides

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Dec 2 2022

Details: female, outside normal range

Bailieboro - This bird was seconds from eluding me. I had spent over an hour checking the fields and farms it had been reported in for close to a week. Others had given up and I made one final run when I spotted it about 100 metres out atop a fence. It looked like it was merely a very small bump because it was crouched in the wind. I was later able to go onto the farm property thanks to the gracious homeowner and followed the bird for a bit as it hunted for insects on the ground. It was cold so it was lucky to find some large caterpillars.

Date uploaded: Dec 5 2022

Comments (4):
Chris: That great perseverance paid off. Fantastic capture.
BrianMorin: It was definitely worth the wait.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (42)

Regulus calendula

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Hanging around (literally) with Prothonotary Warbler, chickadees, Golden and White-crowned Sparrows. Vancouver - Riverfront Park.

Date uploaded: Dec 3 2022

Comments (3):
BrianMorin: Maybe it's an early spring in Vancouver. :)
Chris: Let’s hope so. A blanket of snow is unfortunately down already.

Prothonotary Warbler (18)

Protonotaria citrea

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Details: outside normal range

About the last species I'd think to see in Vancouver. He seemed to have some spider webs stuck to his back as he feverishly scoured every corner for food. Unfortunately there were several house cats around. On a good note the weather has slightly improved from snow and sub-zero temps to sunshine and above freezing - hopefully he makes his way.

Date uploaded: Dec 3 2022

Comments (5):
BrianMorin: Well that's a surprise, Not only is it unseasonal, it is a few thousand kilometres out of range. There's a good chance it will make it through, at least for the Christmas count if it is in the area. :)
Chris: Believe it’s in the count circle. However tracking him through suburban housing complexes…seems to be complex. I was lucky this morning, as it seemed to have disappeared from sight this afternoon. Luckily his behaviour is quite conspicuous

Purple Sandpiper (10)

Calidris maritima

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Dec 2 2022

Details: immature, winter plummage

Oshawa - An end of the year treat. These coastal birds show up very late in the season in very small numbers, normally along Lake Ontario. I was lucky to find two. They are very hardy and one or two may overwinter in rocky areas that don't freeze. They are notoriously tame. I just waited for them to come to me.

Date uploaded: Dec 3 2022

Comments (4):
Chris: Love that bird. Great job finding the few in the region.
BrianMorin: You and me both. It is one of my favourites. I tried hard to get the legs and possibly the feet showing in as many shots as possible. That makes the shots pop.

Long-tailed Duck/Oldsquaw (25)

Clangula hyemalis

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Nov 24 2022

Details: male, adult, winter plummage

Presqu'ile Provincial Park - This is a fairly rare shot of a common winter duck on Lake Ontario. I have never seen one out of the water although I have seen thousands. The bird was about 20 metres offshore and I stealthily approached very slowly, stopping with each small advancement. I used the camera on tripod as my blind so my form would not be obvious. It worked. In fact, I could have gotten even closer but I stopped when the water reached 3/4" from the top of my rubber boots. I knew what would happen next. I'd turn around and head for shore and it would move (I was about 10 metres into the lake). As soon as I turned it headed into the water and swam away.

The best thing about this rare experience was the setting. It was perfect late afternoon light with the bird in exactly the right position.

Date uploaded: Nov 27 2022

Comments (8):
Chris: What an experience. Similarly I’ve never seen one out of water. Terrific timing with the last rays of sun. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BrianMorin: It shows that sometimes the impossible happens. My only regret is that my boots weren't knee length. :)

Western Cattle Egret (33)

Ardea ibis

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Nov 15 2022

Details: immature, outside normal range

Brighton - My fourth and likely the last Cattle Egret for the year. The bird was just north of Presqu'ile Provincial Park and I was passing only a few kilometres away so I stopped to check it out. This was a stellar year for these birds, with several dozen appearing in diverse locations, including Northern Ontario. The bird was finally driven out by snow.

Date uploaded: Nov 23 2022

Comments (6):
Chris: Wow. Quite a set of experiences. Hope they somehow went south.
BrianMorin: Unlike wandering songbirds that get lost late in the season and lose the interest in migrating, often perishing when the weather turns very cold, these birds seem to be smart enough to exit before they get in trouble.

American Wigeon (30)

Anas americana

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: Nov 17 2022

Details: male, adult

Ottawa - The duck, one of three, was in a city park in a pond. It had paused along the shore with a very large boulder offering a pleasing background.

Date uploaded: Nov 19 2022

Comments (2):
Chris: Agreed…great subject and background. Looks like the rock has some type of lichen or covering.
BrianMorin: Yes, could have been some but it was also an igneous boulder with a natural pinkish-brown tone. I think the warm light helped too.