Hello Ontbirds people, The CATTLE EGRET discovered NE of Carlsbad Springs on 21 October was searched for yesterday but was not relocated (although one observer reported that the donkey was still there ;-).
The 13th annual Ottawa-Gatineau Fall Bird Count was held from 3:00 pm - 3:00 pm, 20 - 21 October. The count area is the 100 km circle (or 50 km radius) from the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill and includes both the Quebec and Ontario sides. Quite a mixed bag of weather with heavy afternoon showers on the Saturday, blustery SW winds both days, and incredibly mild temps (up to + 22 degrees C!!) made for an interesting event. A preliminary total of 143 spp. (a record high for the Count!) plus 1 hybrid were reported from all sectors combined. NOTE: The CATTLE EGRET was NOT reported for the Count, but was an independent discovery. Among some of the highlights were: - 23 spp. of waterfowl, including record high # of CANADA GOOSE ( no surprise), CACKLING GOOSE (3), AMERICAN WIGEON and SURF SCOTER. - record high # of WILD TURKEY (83), COMMON MOORHEN (13) and SANDHILL CRANE (56). NOTE - the previous record high total of Sandhill Crane was 74 birds in 2006, but that was AFTER the Fall Count - 14 spp. of shorebirds, including 2 very late SPOTTED SANDPIPERS and 1 juv. WILSON'S PHALAROPE (late record for Ottawa and a new sp. for the Count) - record high # of RING-BILLED GULL, EASTERN SCREECH OWL (2), PILEATED WOODPECKER (29), AMERICAN CROW, EUROPEAN STARLING, BOHEMIAN WAXWING (129), NORTHERN CARDINAL (122) - new spp. for the Count included: WILSON'S PHALAROPE, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, EASTERN KINGBIRD, OVENBIRD, RED CROSSBILL and ORIOLE sp. Again, these are preliminary results only. The finals will be posted on the OFNC web site in the next week or so. Thanks to everyone who participated on the event, and who organized and provided food & beverages at the compilation on Sunday evening. Chris Lewis Ottawa, ON [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
