I found a couple of New Year's Day surprises while out birding the Grand River on Wednesday. The first was a meganser which at first I assumed was a Common. After about five minutes, I realized that its bill was long and thin like a Red-breasted's. So, I finally wiped the frozen fog (that's right) off my binoculars and took a closer look. Lo and behold, it was indeed a Red-breasted! Quite a surprise on an inland shallow river.
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Hatch-year male Red-breasted Merganser. A big surprise to find on
the Grand River, since the species prefers much deeper lakes and rivers. |
The next bird was even better, hanging out with the enormous flock of Mallards at Moores Park. He was the smallest and most adorable bird there, and wow, was he a treat to see on such a bone-chilling winter day! He was a charming male Wood Duck, a completely unexpected sight in the dead of winter.
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| Male Wood Duck. Adorable, wouldn't you agree? |
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Oh, I forgot to mention the point-blank views.
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Happy New Year, everyone! Have yourself a very birdy 2014!
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