Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: adonbirder on March 11, 2008, 04:56:13 PM

Title: 3 Harlequin Ducks Humber Bay Park Tuesday March 11
Post by: adonbirder on March 11, 2008, 04:56:13 PM

Went by Humber Bay Park East in Toronto today and found 3 Harlequin Ducks ,1 was a gorgeous male. They were out on the lakeside by the far south-east corner of the park. Also saw Horned grebe, Ruddy ducks and the usual waterfowl. A bonus was a Merlin hanging out in a tree by the parking lot

Humber Bay park can be reached by going south on Park Lawn Road to the lake and turning in the first entrance after Lakeshore Road.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/2326820521_03c9e51f57_o.jpg)

more photos from today at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrew-don/

Good birding :)

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Post by: Bluffs Birder on March 13, 2008, 12:09:41 AM

Thanks for the heads up on this one adonbirder!!!  Went to the park today for the first time and with the help of some friendly people there, I was able to see the ducks exactly in that same spot!!!  The Harlequins are absolutely beautiful looking with the late afternoon sun beaming down on them, especially the male.  Would make an amazing picture.....if I had a good camera and lens!!!

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Post by: adonbirder on March 13, 2008, 02:27:24 PM

They are one of the most beautiful ducks, i always enjoy seeing them in the winter here

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Post by: Brian Bailey on March 16, 2008, 07:32:07 PM

All 3 Harlequins were there again today.  This afternoon they were along the long beach that faces out onto the open lake.  The two female were sticking together, but the adult male was foraging independently:  sometimes with the other two, but more often away from all other ducks.

There were 3 Horned Grebes and at least 10 Ruddy Ducks.

BB

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Post by: Greg Schneider on March 21, 2008, 11:08:10 AM

Have the Harlequins been seen lately? I'm assuming they are probably sticking around for a bit.

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Post by: Bluffs Birder on March 21, 2008, 11:57:48 AM

Hi Greg,

The Harlequin Ducks were at the Park on Monday of this week.  They're usually on the lake side (southern most part) of the East park...they like the rough water there because they are "sea" birds.  You may have to look for them though as they seem to swim back and forth across the beach area and the male likes to go off on his own quite frequently.  They also like to mix with the other ducks too.

Enjoy

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Post by: Iain on March 21, 2008, 12:06:09 PM

They were also seen yesterday and Wednesday, see the behaviour forum for a recent photo.

Iain

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Post by: Greg Schneider on March 21, 2008, 12:28:42 PM

Appreciate it, thanks. I will try to get out there this weekend.

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Post by: Kin Lau on March 21, 2008, 04:31:19 PM

I was there Monday morning, and there are _4_ Harlequins, 3 female and 1 male. All four were together at various times before spliting up.

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Post by: angelicque on March 22, 2008, 10:14:27 PM

i also saw the harlequin with his mate around dusk today at humber bay east - in their usual spot along the beach :)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/angelicque/harlequin.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/angelicque/harlequinII.jpg)
(please excuse my camera's poor quality - it's a kodak digicam. i am getting a lumix to remedy this situation in two weeks, thankfully!)

also saw both hooded, common and red breasted mergansers, greater scaups, mallards, gadwalls, and buffleheads. the usual waterfowl ;)
also saw the mute and trumpeter swans. the trumpeter family of four is still here, most likely migrating soon. no tundra this year :(
and about 10 red winged blackbirds as well! it's so good to hear them around the park again :)

also saw one very giant and impressive beaver ;)

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Post by: Mark D on March 23, 2008, 06:34:43 PM

Today I was luckey enough to see a male harlequin duck close to the shore (lifer for me  :D )  Also saw many buffleheads and longtail ducks, some scaup, coots, gadwall, a male redhead, 3 hooded mergansers, and 3 mute swans. A nice sunny day for birding!

Mark

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Post by: Ann Brokelman on March 24, 2008, 04:36:59 PM

I also saw the male and 2 females on Sunday.  The male was taking a 2 hour nap.  Was hoping to get a photo of him with his head up but no luck.  Took a few photos anyways. Lovely looking duck.  Will try again and hopefully he will be awake next time.  The male and female were just drifting around sleeping. The second female was swimming around.

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Post by: Kin Lau on March 24, 2008, 05:26:59 PM

All four were there today.

Here's one of the girls doing a wing-stretch

(http://www.toroncolor.com/forum/fbbuploads/1206389474-F_Harlequin_800_266H4989.jpg)

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Post by: adonbirder on March 26, 2008, 05:25:45 PM

All 4 harlequins were still at the park, moved around alot though, went almost the whole shoreline while there