Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Southern Ontario Reports => Topic started by: brummiebirder on March 06, 2012, 02:18:39 PM

Title: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: brummiebirder on March 06, 2012, 02:18:39 PM

Observed male on east side of bridge on Brock Street South just north of the harbour at 0830 this morning. It was the only diving bird among several hundred Canada Geese.

It was no longer there at 11:30 or 13:30.

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: Reuven_M on March 06, 2012, 03:42:57 PM

Not trying to imply that you were mistaken or lying, but could you give a description of why you think it was the smew? A number of us were looking this morning with no sign.

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: brummiebirder on March 06, 2012, 04:58:59 PM

I have been birding for forty years and am very familiar with any other species it could have been. At 0830 this morning the light was very good and the bird was diving among the geese at relatively close range. I had seen the Smew in December,  at very close range and observed it for an extended period of time with other birders. I am 100% certain of my identification.

I read a report that is wasn't seen around 1130 so I went back for a look at 1330 and it wasn't there, yet neither were the numbers of Canada Geese that were present at 0830. I will be back at 0830 tomorrow and hope other birders are there to confirm this sighting.

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: newfoundlander61 on March 06, 2012, 05:11:16 PM

It may have been around lake ontario since dec just moved to a different location. If its still there end week i will take a drive down from Kingston to try and add this one to my life list.

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: Reuven_M on March 06, 2012, 05:19:15 PM

Thanks, has the bird progressed in its molt from where it was in december?
Reuven

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: brummiebirder on March 06, 2012, 05:50:20 PM

Yes, the bird appeared in fine breeding plumage, flanks were a brilliant white.

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: Reuven_M on March 06, 2012, 06:06:15 PM

Thanks, hopefully it will show up again.

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: worth on March 06, 2012, 08:56:57 PM

By it being in "fine breeding plumage",  besides it's flanks being brilliant white does this mean the head pattern is that of a breeding plumaged male with a white crown and black around the eye?

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: brummiebirder on March 06, 2012, 11:01:49 PM

Yes...white flanks, sliver of black on back of head, dark slender bill with black around the eye and, (at least to my eye), a lower profile than Goldeneye, Bufflehead or Hooded Merganser.

As stated before, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the bird I saw was a Smew.

Title: Re: Smew seen at Whitby again
Post by: thouc on March 08, 2012, 10:56:34 PM

There was a report of a (the?) Smew from Long Point today, so it might be heading west.