Today we were fortunate enough to host a drake Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) at Stratford Point as found by our friend Tom Murray. I took the below photo in the later afternoon during a brief moment when the sun came out from behind the clouds.
These additional shots were taken earlier in the morning under those aforementioned clouds while the duck was feeding, swimming, preening, and loving those rocks as the species always does.
Harlequin Ducks are a relatively rare visitor for us in Connecticut. If it is anything like the last drake Harlequin (could it be the same bird?) that spent some time with us in September and October 2015 then this friend will be hanging out for a while. The habitat is favorable, and the hungry duck was diving on a lot of successful meals. I hope to see him again tomorrow along with many other happy birders!
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
