I decided to give the river one last good look today. There was no wind and lighting was excellent making for a very calm river in the morning.
One Red-necked Grebe was still at Cathcart Park. One was found dead a few days ago.
A Horned Grebe still sporting mostly winter plumage was at Willow Park.
The head of Stag Island had most of the activity as usual. I found the male Harlequin Duck sleeping beside the island. Although lighting was excellent, it was still too far away, but here is a highly-cropped record shot.
About a dozen White-winged Scoters in the distance, the same as last week.
Some Gadwall came in close for good photos.
I checked several Sarnia spots for birds, but things are still quite frozen. Perch Creek Habitat Area was somewhat quiet, but I flushed up a woodcock finally. I also saw my first butterfly of the year--an Eastern Comma! Usually we see them earlier than this.
Later in the afternoon I checked Sarnia Bay and came up with two Red-necked Grebes by the Duc D'Orleans. One was duller than the other.
Local Mallard....
Blake, great report. That Harlequin duck is a sleeping beauty. I've never seen one, even after visiting the west coast a few years ago. March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. But the lamb just arrived on the very last day of the month!
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