Hello Ontbirds people, A Baltimore Oriole seen at the Britannia Conservation Area (BCA) in Ottawa on 30 August has caused a fair bit of head-scratching due to its unusually RED plumage. Before reports of Flame-coloured Tanagers or other exotic species start coming in, an interesting article on this odd pigmentation appears in ABA Birding (Sept. - Oct. 2007) and includes research done at Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto. It can be viewed online: http://www.aba.org/birding/v39n5p62.pdf
DIRECTIONS to Britannia: >From downtown Ottawa, take Hwy 417 to exit #129, go north on Pinecrest Rd. to >Richmond Rd. Right (east) on Richmond and continue past the intersection with >Carling Ave. Left (north) on Poulin Ave. Continue on Poulin as it bends west >and becomes Howe St. Take Howe to Britannia Rd., then right (north) on >Britannia to where it ends at Cassels St. Cassels leads to the BCA. Park along >the road near "Mud Lake". The bird was seen in the scrubby field area on the >west side of the BCA on Sunday, but may be anywhere in the conservation area. >Lots of warblers (at least 15 spp) here too, as well as recent reports of >Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Good old Britannia just keeps 'em >(birds & people) flocking in! 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 information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
