{"id":15120,"date":"2021-01-13T09:07:53","date_gmt":"2021-01-13T14:07:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=15120"},"modified":"2021-01-15T14:39:48","modified_gmt":"2021-01-15T19:39:48","slug":"a-harlequin-duck-in-western-mass-out-of-place-or-right-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-harlequin-duck-in-western-mass-out-of-place-or-right-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"A Harlequin Duck in Western Mass: Out of Place, or Right at Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Harlequin Ducks<\/a> may not be the rarest ocean-going duck in Massachusetts, but they require a more specific habitat than any other kind of waterfowl: rocky, jagged coastlines with rough surf and abundant shellfish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, according to eBird<\/a>, nobody had ever documented Harlequin Ducks more than a couple of miles inland in Massachusetts\u2014until New Year\u2019s Day 2021 when a local birder found a first-year male Harlequin<\/a> on the fast-flowing Millers River in Turner\u2019s Falls, MA, more than 120 miles away from the coast.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The rocky Millers River was apparently good enough habitat for this young male Harlequin Duck. Photo \u00a9 James Smith<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Powerful Rivers are Western Harlequins\u2019 Summer Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s surprising to see this duck inland in Massachusetts, Harlequins in other parts of the country actually spend half of their lives on fresh water. In the Rocky Mountains and the Cascades of the West, these patchily-distributed ducks breed in fast flowing, whitewater rivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Millers River is well-known among paddlers<\/a> for its fast current and rough stretches. Not many rivers in Massachusetts have the wide expanses of rapids that Harlequins prefer, making the Millers a likely candidate for our first inland record of this species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even Wandering Birds Follow Habitat Guidelines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This sighting is a great example of how rigidly habitat preferences govern  where birds are found, even in cases when birds show up in unusual geographic regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most vagrant birds (that is, birds outside of their normal range) also stick to their usual habitats, or the closest thing they can find. Massachusetts\u2019 last sighting of a Tropical Kingbird<\/a>, for example, showed up in the brushy fields of Rock Meadow in Belmont\u2014a fair local approximation of the low plains a prefers in the extreme Southwest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, true to its name, a Barn Owl<\/a> that strayed farther north than normal was spotted taking shelter in the rafters of a high-ceilinged wooden garage in Lexington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay in the Know<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in following along with the latest unusual sightings, check out our weekly rare bird reports<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Harlequin Ducks may not be the rarest ocean-going duck in Massachusetts, but they require a more specific habitat than any other kind of waterfowl: rocky, jagged coastlines with rough surf and abundant shellfish. In fact, according to eBird, nobody had ever documented Harlequin Ducks more than a couple of miles inland in Massachusetts\u2014until New Year\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":15127,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[27,28,380],"class_list":["post-15120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nature-notes","tag-birding","tag-birds","tag-rare-bird"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/Harl2_010220_JamesSmith.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3VS","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12207,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-winter-ducks\/","url_meta":{"origin":15120,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Winter Ducks","author":"Ryan D.","date":"January 7, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Winter is a wonderful time to see some colorful characters around your neighborhood\u2014namely wintering waterfowl. In late fall and winter, the majority of waterfowl species return to wearing their bright and more colorful breeding plumages and with more than 25 species of ducks, geese, and swans that regularly spend the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Harlequin Duck \u00a9 Carol Duffy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/2982Carol_Duffy17397.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/2982Carol_Duffy17397.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/2982Carol_Duffy17397.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/2982Carol_Duffy17397.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4406,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/odd-ducks\/","url_meta":{"origin":15120,"position":1},"title":"Odd Ducks","author":"Rosemary","date":"December 3, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Some of nature\u2019s most colorful waterfowl visit our lakes, rivers, and shores during the colder months. Here are five stylish ducks to watch out for. Northern shoveler Anas clypeata One glance at this duck\u2019s enormous spatula-shaped bill \u2014used for straining prey from the water\u2014and you\u2019ll see why people call it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Northern shoveler \u00a9 Kristin Foresto","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/11\/shoveler-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7122,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-wood-ducks\/","url_meta":{"origin":15120,"position":2},"title":"Take 5: Wood Ducks","author":"Rosemary","date":"March 7, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The winter landscape may not offer the widest spectrum of colors, so seeing a jewel-tone wood duck is always a welcome sight.\u00a0Some of these birds have hung around in Massachusetts all winter, and\u00a0others are just now returning to the state\u00a0from warmer places. Unlike most of our waterfowl, the aptly named\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Larry-Warfield-2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Larry-Warfield-2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Larry-Warfield-2013.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10709,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-mallards-on-the-move\/","url_meta":{"origin":15120,"position":3},"title":"Take 5: Mallards on the Move","author":"Ryan D.","date":"April 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Ducks are a familiar sight in our urban and suburban parks, having adapted over time to thrive in developed areas.\u00a0There are dozens of species of ducks, but thanks to Robert McCloskey's popular children's book\u00a0Make Way for Ducklings, most folks are familiar with the Mallard species, the most abundant waterfowl in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/1293HienNguyen4387_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/1293HienNguyen4387_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/1293HienNguyen4387_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11751,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-migrating-waterfowl\/","url_meta":{"origin":15120,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Migrating Waterfowl","author":"Ryan D.","date":"October 15, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Fall is a great time to see a\u00a0variety of waterfowl as they pass through Massachusetts on their way to their wintering grounds. Brant, Surf and White-winged Scoters, and Red-breasted Mergansers are best viewed along the sea coast, while Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teal, and Ring-necked Ducks are more likely to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Green-winged Teal \u00a9 Matt Filosa","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/3417Matt_Filosa16547.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/3417Matt_Filosa16547.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/3417Matt_Filosa16547.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/3417Matt_Filosa16547.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16581,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/this-winter-learn-indoors-and-practice-outside\/","url_meta":{"origin":15120,"position":5},"title":"This Winter, Learn Indoors and Practice Outside","author":"Kelly R.","date":"January 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"New Online Nature Programs This winter, enjoy nature lessons from the comfort of your home, then take what you've learned outdoors to practice! Pour yourself a cup of something warm, grab your fuzzy socks, and tune in with us online to learn about winter birds, stars, animal tracks, plants, weather,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wood Ducks \u00a9Matt Filosa","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/01\/3417Matt_Filosa23878-750x500-7f642d41-6624-45b5-8ba1-7c03065f4cd3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/01\/3417Matt_Filosa23878-750x500-7f642d41-6624-45b5-8ba1-7c03065f4cd3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/01\/3417Matt_Filosa23878-750x500-7f642d41-6624-45b5-8ba1-7c03065f4cd3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/01\/3417Matt_Filosa23878-750x500-7f642d41-6624-45b5-8ba1-7c03065f4cd3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15120"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15139,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15120\/revisions\/15139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}