Hello Ontbirds people, Here is the latest Ottawa-Gatineau Bird Status Line report for the period of November 26 - December 3, 2006.
In spite of the inclement weather this past week, a number of very good birds were reported from the Ottawa-Gatineau area, including some exceptionally late species and phenomenally high numbers for this time of year. A Greater White-fronted Goose and a Cackling Goose were at the large pond on the east side of Moodie Dr. south of Trail Rd. on December 2nd, and several large flocks of Snow Geese numbering up to 4000 birds were reported from various areas east of Ottawa since November 27th, especially in fields east of St. Albert and Casselman as well as Ste-Rose through St-Bernardin. Very late duck species at Shirleys' Bay included 3 Gadwall on the 26th and 2 Black Scoters and 8 White-winged Scoters on the 2nd. Also on the 2nd, 4 Green-winged Teal and a female Canvasback were at the Embrun sewage lagoons, 2 Canvasbacks were on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River below the Deschenes rapids among over 400 hundred Ring-necked Ducks and other diving duck species, and the male Harlequin Duck was still present in the Deschenes rapids. A male Barrow's Goldeneye was seen on the Rideau River north of the Rideau Tennis Club on the 3rd, and the male hybrid Barrow's X Common Goldeneye was seen again on the Ottawa River near the Champlain bridge on the 26th. Late for Ottawa were a Common Loon at Shirley's Bay and a Great Blue Heron at Mud Lake in Britannia on the 2nd. Also on the 2nd, 2 adult Bald Eagles were noted at Shirley's Bay, a single adult Bald Eagle flew over Britannia, and an immature Golden Eagle flew over Huntmar Dr. near Richardson Side Rd. The same day, 1 Lesser Black-backed, 2 Iceland and 3 Glaucous Gulls were at the Trail Rd. Landfill, and another Snowy Owl was seen east of Ottawa near St-Isidore. Interesting passerine reports included a Northern Shrike hanging around the OFNC bird feeder on Dolman Ridge Rd. on the 27th, a Carolina Wren visited a feeder on private property in the City View neighbourhood between Baseline and Merivale Rds. on the 3rd, a Red-winged Blackbird was still on Hilda Rd. near Shirley's Bay on the 2nd, and the first seasonal report of a Pine Grosbeak came from the Shirley's Bay boat launch on the 2nd as well. The Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count is coming up on Sunday December 17th. To participate on the Ontario side, please contact Eve Ticknor at 613-737-7551 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] For information about participating in the Quebec sectors, please contact Daniel St-Hilare at 819-776-0860. Thank you - Good Birding! Chris Lewis Ottawa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
