What a surprise my friends Donna and Bill had when they learned the small dark duck they saw at a nearby inland lake was a Harlequin Duck.
A sea duck typically seen in northwest North America, Greenland, and eastern Canada, the Harlequin Duck winters along the coast of Atlantic Canada and New England as well as the Pacific Northwest coast.
The Harlequin Duck my friends found is a rare bird for southeast Michigan and the first time the bird was sighted in Washtenaw County.
Along with about a dozen other birders, I saw the Harlequin Duck last week, before the big snow storm (some areas received nine inches of snow!) moved through our area.
It was a life bird (first time seen) for me, as it was for many other birdwatching people who traveled to southeast Michigan to see it.
The Harlequin Duck seemed to be hanging out with Mallards and Wood Ducks, frequently diving under water for food.
And giving those of us watching him a closeup view of its behavior.
Often ducks are off shore in the middle of a lake, making them more challenging to view.
But once the Harlequin moved to a park along the river that feeds into the inland lake, it seemed to prefer the far shore of the river (which at that point was about 30-40 feet across).
It often swam with or near other waterfowl that regularly gather near a fallen tree partially jutting out in the water.
At times, the duck would venture a bit closer to the near shore, much to our delight!
Today I went back to get another look at the Harlequin Duck.
And it was still at the park!
I’m hoping the bird stays through the spring, it’s currently molting. I’d love to see it in full breeding plumage.
