Rare and Unusual Bird Sightings: How to Be in the Know

While spotting common birds, for us anyways, is always a delight - there's a special thrill as birders in encountering rare and unusual bird species, or checking another 'lifer' off of your list.  Rare birds do pop up in Southern Ontario. Often times 'rare' birds are rare to the region and have somehow gotten far off of their typical migration routes. Because the birds are so new to bird enthusiasts in the region, and they would usually otherwise have to travel long distances to find one, it only adds to the excitement. 

In the spring of last year a Marsh Sandpiper was spotted for the first time ever in Ontario, in Theford. As stated in this CTV News Article about the buzz surrounding this sighting, 

'This Asiatic bird barely shows up on the west coast of North America and in Alaska occasionally, but it's even a rare bird on the Atlantic coast on the British side. It’s native to Central Asia.'

In the fall of last year there was a Tropical Kingbird spotted in Windsor, which again drew crowds and even media attention. This bird typically resides in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Here are some sightings that we have been able to catch in the past few years: 

Northern Hawk Owl. Photo by Shayna Hartley. 

1. Northern Hawk Owl: this one created BIG buzz in the winter of 2020. They generally occupy fairly Northern ranges, but on years where populations of prey species such as small mammals are down, they tend to irrupt further south and occupy territories that are unusual for them. This garners a LOT of excitement. 

2. Rufous Hummingbird: they typically occupy a very western range, from Alaska to Mexico, travelling typically up the Pacific Coast. This one was spotted in a backyard right here in Newmarket!! In late fall of 2021. It was clearly off path and fueled up before making its way but was an exciting find. 

Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

3. Great Black-backed Gull: This species is typically spotted further east in areas like Nova Scotia, Massachusetts, and Newfoundland and migrates throughout the Atlantic region. Occasionally, they stray as far as the Great Lakes. 

Great Black-backed Gull. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

How to stay up to date on rare birds being spotted in the region:

• Join the Ontario Rare Bird Alert on Google 
• Subscribe to the eBird Rare Bird Alert 
• Join the Ontario Rare Bird Alert Facebook Group 
• Join our Facebook Group - Ontario Birds by WBU Barrie and WBU Newmarket 

We LOVE seeing people get excited about birds. A final note: 

In general, it is best to exercise precaution whenever observing and photographing any bird or wildlife species. If you have to risk disturbing the animal to get the photo, it is not worth it. Just keeping in mind that it is important to maintain a respectful distance, as well as a reasonable length of time observing the bird. 

As always - happy birding!! 

Warmly, 

Heather