Ohio birders - 
 
On the immature male Harlequin Duck that was apparently taken, point-blank, by a hunter at East 72nd street today....
 
To me, I find it fantastically, amazingly coincidental, and almost too ironic that the sportsman showed up in the EXACT small waterway on Day 2 of the Harlequin Duck presence. This this hunter REALLY had to know EXACTLY where this single Harlequin Duck was hanging out. Although these vast stretches of breakwall/inlets are hunted regularly by dozens of sportsmen, this "guy" set up VERY CLOSE to shore in a TINY little inlet of water where there have routinely been VERY few ducks. Mallards and maybe a Bufflehead or two at best. 
 
Drumroll. 
 
This guy either read the report on the Ohiobirds listserve, or in passing was told about the duck by a birder in the vacinity, or by sheer luck actually IDed this bird himself, came back, and blasted it away. I can't imagine shooting a duck at such close range would actually allow for the specimen to keep in any decent way, shape or form. Meaning, would it not be nearly obliterated by such force? Anyway, I vote for a) or b). This guy knew RIGHT where to go. 
 
That's just great.
 
If a King Eider (or better) shows up, folks might have to make secret codewords for locations, directions... 
 
best of birding -
 
Jen
 
 
 
 
 
 
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