Ontario rare bird alert for the week of October 2. Species mentioned (boldface indicates species on the OBRC review list): Ross's Goose (Bruce, Elgin, Ottawa, Thunder Bay) Greater White-fronted Goose (Frontenac, Huron, Prescott and Russell) BARNACLE GOOSE (Prescott and Russell) WESTERN GREBE (Northumberland, Peel) Eurasian Collared-Dove (Thunder Bay) American Avocet (Huron) Red Phalarope (Renfrew) Franklin's Gull (Grey) SLATY-BACKED GULL (Toronto) Pacific Loon (Simcoe) Snowy Egret (Essex) Black Vulture (Peterborough) SAY'S PHOEBE (Nipissing) White-eyed Vireo (Algoma, Essex) PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Essex) Loggerhead Shrike (Bruce) NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Parry Sound) LeConte's Sparrow (Nipissing) Yellow-breasted Chat (Norfolk) Yellow-headed Blackbird (Algoma, Norfolk) Western Meadowlark (Prince Edward) Brewer's Blackbird (Toronto) Palm Warbler (Yellow) (Prince Edward) YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Haliburton) Yellow-throated Warbler (Bruce) Dickcissel (Algoma, Prince Edward) Details: Ross's Goose (Bruce): A single bird was reported in Saugeen Shores on October 8. Ross's Goose (Elgin): A single bird was reported at Aylmer WMA on October 5. Ross's Goose (Ottawa): A single bird was in Ottawa on October 4. Ross's Goose (Thunder Bay): Three birds were together in Thunder Bay October 2, 3, and 7. Greater White-fronted Goose (Frontenac): Two birds were at the Invista Lagoons on October 5. A single bird was on Wolfe Island the same day. Greater White-fronted Goose (Huron): A single bird was at Hullet Marsh on October 3. Greater White-fronted Goose (Prescott and Russell): A single bird was at the Nolan Quarry on October 6. Barnacle Goose (Prescott and Russell): A single bird was at the Nolan Quarry from October 4-6. Western Grebe (Northumberland): One bird was at Wicklow Beach on October 2. Western Grebe (Peel): The now long-staying bird was off Rattray Marsh at least until October 6. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Thunder Bay): One bird was visiting a yard near Lappe on October 2. American Avocet (Huron): A single bird flew south down the lakeshore north of Goderich on October 7. Red Phalarope (Renfrew): A single bird was at Lake Doré on October October 3. Franklin's Gull (Grey): One bird was in Owen Sound October 5. Slaty-backed Gull (Toronto): The Peel bird has become a Toronto bird and was spotted at various waterfront locations (mostly Sunnyside Beach) October 2-8. Pacific Loon (Simcoe): Up to two birds continued in Barrie off Tyndale Park October 3-8. Snowy Egret (Essex): One bird was reported at Hillman Marsh October 2. Black Vulture (Peterborough): One bird was photographed south of Lakefield on October 8. Say's Phoebe (Nipissing): One bird was photographed near Radiant Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park on October 5. White-eyed Vireo (Algoma): One bird was seen by several observers on South St. Marys Island in Sault Ste. Marie on October 2 and 3. White-eyed Vireo (Essex): One was seen around DeLaurier Trail in Point Pelee October 4-8. Plumbeous Vireo (Essex): One bird was photographed October 3 at Delaurier Trall and reported to iNaturalist where it was later identified as this species. Another observer indepenently found this bird at the same location on October 4. It has been searched for since those sightings with just one possible sighting on October 7. Loggerhead Shrike (Bruce): One bird was in Saugeen Shores October 3-4. Northern Wheatear (Parry Sound): One bird was reported at Kelsey Lake on October 5. LeConte's Sparrow (Nipissing): One bird was seen at Radiant Lake, Algonquin Park on October 5 and 6. Yellow-breasted Chat (Norfolk): One bird was seen at the tip of Long Point on October 3. Yellow-headed Blackbird (Algoma): At least one bird continued near Pumpkin Point October 3 and 6. Yellow-headed Blackbird (Norfolk): A male was reported west of Port Rowan on October 5. Western Meadowlark (Prince Edward): One bird was photographed at Charwell Point on October 4 (https://ebird.org/checklist/S74427843). Brewer's Blackbird (Toronto): One male was reported at Tommy Thompson Park on October 5. Palm Warbler (Yellow) (Prince Edward): One bird was photographed at Prince Edward Point on October 5 (https://ebird.org/checklist/S74466000). Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) (Haliburton): One bird was reported at Rock Lake, Algonquin Park on October 2. Yellow-throated Warbler (Bruce): One bird visited a private yard in Kincardine on October 4. Dickcissel (Algoma): One bird flew over St. Joseph Island on October 3. Dickcissel (Prince Edward): One bird flew over Prince Edward Point October 5. Report compiled by Mike Burrell