"Local celebrity" would be an understatement this time
October 23rd, 2011
Ottawa has just seen its first Razorbill in recorded history. Razorbill is a seabird--an auk, to be specific--that, under all normal circumstances, breeds, winters and migrates in salt water habitat. Only extreme weather during its migration can cause this bird to be blown off course and end up inland. Which is presumably what happened, with the storm of a few days ago. (An interesting blog post here explores the possibilities.)
I've seen these birds in their usual locale off the Gaspé peninsula, and photographed one who swam close to the dock. No such luck today: the Razorbill on the Ottawa River was staying far out from shore, viewable only with spotting scope. He was preening and fishing and seemed to be doing quite well for himself, unaccustomed freshwater habitat notwithstanding.
October 23rd, 2011
Ottawa has just seen its first Razorbill in recorded history. Razorbill is a seabird--an auk, to be specific--that, under all normal circumstances, breeds, winters and migrates in salt water habitat. Only extreme weather during its migration can cause this bird to be blown off course and end up inland. Which is presumably what happened, with the storm of a few days ago. (An interesting blog post here explores the possibilities.)
I've seen these birds in their usual locale off the Gaspé peninsula, and photographed one who swam close to the dock. No such luck today: the Razorbill on the Ottawa River was staying far out from shore, viewable only with spotting scope. He was preening and fishing and seemed to be doing quite well for himself, unaccustomed freshwater habitat notwithstanding.
| ← | → |
Mustang Sallie
October 24th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Happy Birthday!!!
Mike
October 24th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Very cool! He must've been sitting low in the water... they don't sit high in salt water, and fresh is less dense.