ML485744311

Observation details

🟠 ***Rare, historically "regular" here in very small numbers in fall, but it has now been 5 years since the last report on eBird (11/12/2017). Nonbreeding adult/immature in the southwest corner of Pond S-2 (~42.9853842, -78.2228376). Associating with a group of four Ruddy Ducks. Small grebe, mostly dark grayish overall with thin bill giving the impression of being slightly upturned. Darkest gray on the back and crown, constrasting sharply with white lower cheek (below eye) and throat. Head peaked giving unique triangular shape. Dingy gray neck, light gray flanks, and white belly seen when tilting to preen. Even gave faint impression of the ear patterning. Poor photos. LIFER! I first picked up this bird at 13:57 while driving south on the berm between ponds S-2 and T-1. I noticed a small group of diving ducks with the naked eye, and scanned them, revealing four Ruddy Ducks and this bird, clear in its ID. They were feeding and loafing for a short time and I photographed them (quite cloudy). They swam west towards the shore and I drove south, closer, and they swam back east a little bit and began preening for a while. The sun came out then for slightly better photo opportunities. Eventually, they appeared ready to feed again and slowly swam north and I moved on. I was able to watch until 14:17, a solid twenty minutes to enjoy this overdue/nemesis life bird!

Additional species

• Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis