Harlequin Ducks in the Timmins Area!

One of our favourite spots to look for migrating birds in Spring and Fall is the Frederick House Lake waterfront in Connaught.  It's 40 km north-east of Timmins (so 30 km from our home in South Porcupine).   If you're coming from the other direction, it's also a 'must stop' location because it is only 14 km south-west from Highway 11 (turn off near Porquis Junction).  Frederick House Lake is a large lake and the bridge where Frederick House River goes into the lake is a great spot for migrating waterfowl.  That's where we saw the Harlequin Ducks.  I was scanning and counting a group of Scaups when the Harlequin Ducks appeared in my binoculars.  As you can imagine, I was so surprised that I quickly lost my count, snapped a photo, and had to start counting again.  

Harlequin Duck / Arlequin plongeur
Frederick House River/Lake (29 April 2017)

I managed to take one more photo before the nearby flock of scaups flew away. Then the Harlequin Ducks followed and landed near the railway bridge. I had seen Harlequin Ducks before at Clover Point on the shore of Victoria BC but I never imagined I would see some so close to home. In Canada, there are populations of Harlequin Ducks on the Pacific coast and on the Atlantic coast but they can also be observed around the Great Lakes in Southern Ontario.  Even though the male (on the right) is resting, you can see its unique colours and patterns. On the left is the female. 

Harlequin Duck / Arlequin plongeur
Frederick House River/Lake (28 April 2017)

A little further east from the bridge, there are nice spots where you can park and scan the shore.  When the water is low, there are shallow sandy areas where you can sometimes spot migrating shorebirds if the conditions are right.  A lone Greater Yellowlegs was there. No sign of any other shorebirds yet but it is still early for other shorebirds in our area.  I will definitely be back in May.

Greater Yellowlegs / Grand Chevalier
Frederick House Lake (28 April 2017)

Exactly 24 hours before the find, on Thursday April 27th, we had a severe thunderstorm go through the whole Northern Ontario area, with wind gusts so strong they blew some roofs off and trees down. The storm was followed by south-east winds.  I'm not sure if that's what brought the Harlequins here but it's always a good idea to check your favourite spots after irregular wind storms.