Hi again folks, After some after-the-fact checking of various field guides, etc. we must admit that the Northern Wheatear seen in Ottawa today was in fact....a Northern Wheatear!...however, probably NOT a "juvenile" as we reported, but more likely a 1st-fall or 1st-winter bird...or perhaps even an adult female. Sorry for our hasty determination. Got a bit excited and all that. Anyone who sees this bird & has more experience with Oenanthe oenanthe ages and plumages - please feel free to comment!
Sincerely, Chris Lewis Ottawa [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christina Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "OFO Sightings" <[email protected]> Sent: October 19, 2006 8:01 PM Subject: [Ontbirds]Ottawa - NORTHERN WHEATEAR @ Nepean Sailing Club > Hello Ontbirds people, > > A NORTHERN WHEATEAR was discovered today, Oct. 19, at the Nepean Sailing > Club (a.k.a. Dick Bell Park) along the Ottawa River. It was reported to Bob > Cermak by a birder from the U.S. who he happened to encounter at Andrew > Haydon Park. Bob saw the bird @ 2:30 pm and promptly alerted others, who > were able to see it as well. It was still present as of at least 4:30 pm, on > the north side of the rock jetty, approx. 100 m. from the lighthouse at the > end of the path. > > The bird appears to be a juvenile with a rich cinammon buff wash across the > breast and sides and a weak auricular patch, resembling the nonbreeding > female-plumaged bird portrayed in Sibley, but with darker contrast on the > wings. It was surprisingly wary, flushing up frequently from the rocks along > the river side of the rock jetty, then perching out in the open in an > upright posture. > > DIRECTIONS: > > Ottawa - take Hwy 417 west to exit 131 (Bayshore Dr. / Richmond Rd.). > Proceed north on Bayshore Dr. until it ends at Carling Avenue. Turn left > (west) on Carling, and go past Andrew Haydon Park. The entrance to the > Neapean Sailing Club / Dick Bell Park is well-signed. Park at the 1st public > parking area and walk north to the path along the rock jetty. Walk slowly on > the north side, as close to the rocks as possible without ending up in the > river. > > Good Birding! > Chris Lewis & Bob Bracken > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > _______________________________________________ > ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. > Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] > For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm > ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm >
