It was a relatively quiet summer for rare birds with most of the notable records coming from the first week of June during the last push of spring migration, as is typical in the province. Although several interesting rarities were reported, including one potential first provincial record, only one of the most interesting rare birds was chaseable, and even then, it was only present a single day. Notable rarities included Broad-billed Hummingbird, White Ibis, Brown Pelican, Rock Wren, and Shiny Cowbird. Special thanks: I would like to extend my gratitude to Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics. Waterfowl through Shorebirds A group of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks was seen on 18 Jun in Rosedene, Niagara RM (Steven Vanderzanden), while a single bird was present on 6 Jul in Port Dover, Norfolk Co (fide Trisha Snider) and 8 Jul in St. Williams, Norfolk Co (fide Stuart A. Mackenzie). A Greater White-fronted Goose was a good summer find from 10 Jul–Aug+ in the City of Ottawa (Tom Kozelj). Out of place Brants were seen from 22–23 Jun in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Josh Balec) and 3–23 Jul in the City of Ottawa (Tate Thiessen). The continuing Eurasian Wigeon from the spring was...

This included Glossy Ibis, Western Cattle-Egret (usually more numerous in fall), Lark Sparrow, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Western Tanager. Western Tanagers in particular had a banner year in the province with over ten different birds reported, although most records were at private feeders and not chaseable. Southwestern and western rarities were well-represented this spring beyond the aforementioned Western Tanager, with Ferruginous Hawk, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-collared Longspur, and Hooded Oriole all being standout rarities in addition to some slightly more regular species like Black-throated Gray Warbler (still quite rare in spring), Lazuli Bunting, Say’s Phoebe, and Black-headed Grosbeak. Notable rarities included Baikal Teal, Garganey, Tufted Duck, Whooping Crane, Great Cormorant, Ferruginous Hawk, Crested Caracara, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Wheatear, Brambling, Chestnut-collared Longspur, and Hooded Oriole. Special thanks: We would like to extend our gratitude to Brian Ratcliff and Jeremy L. Hatt for regional reporting and Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics. Waterfowl through Shorebirds Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are becoming more regular over the years, with this spring adding another two records to the list: 15 Apr in Blue Point, Lambton Co (Melissa Donovan) and 17–20 Apr in Georgetown, Halton RM (Jon Clayton). A Mute Swan, notable for...

Fall is always an exciting time for birding in Ontario, and this year was a prime example with an excellent mix of mega rarities, irruptions, and more typical vagrants. Ontario gained another two new species this fall (Surfbird and Pacific Golden-Plover), the first new additions to the provincial list this year, although none of them were chaseable. The second Ontario and Canada record of Grace’s Warbler and the first Spotted Redshank (still mostly in breeding plumage) in many years were also fantastic finds. The province’s birders had their eyes and ears trained on the sky this fall with a widespread irruption of almost every winter finch species (in addition to Red-breasted Nuthatch and Bohemian Waxwing). By the end of the fall Pine Grosbeaks were being reported as far south as Lambton, Niagara, and Middlesex Cos. There is also an irruption of Black-backed Woodpeckers occurring, although so far this has mostly impacted eastern and central Ontario. After two poor years for Snowy Owls, this year is shaping up to be much better with several sightings across southern Ontario this fall. Finally, there was a decent push of Cave Swallows into the province this fall, with several counties in southern Ontario having...

Here's what the rare anhinga sighting says about Colorado’s changing ecology.