Ontario/Quebec Ottawa/Gatineau 06 September 2011 Hotline: Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club Phone number: 613-860-9000 For the Bird Status Line PRESS * (star) To report bird sightings PRESS 1 (one) Coverage: Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario,W. Quebec Compiler & transcriber: Chris Lewis [email protected], or [email protected]
It's prime time for many migrants moving through our region, and the past week did not disappoint! Despite low water and excellent feeding habitat along the Ottawa River, only small numbers of shorebirds were present. However, the Alfred and Casselman sewage lagoons were very productive - over 100 birds were noted at Alfred on the 30th, and at least 300 birds of 17 species were at Casselman on the 4th and 5th. Highlights included BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, up to 24 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS, large numbers of GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SEMIPALMATED and LEAST SANDPIPERS, a SANDERLING, multiple WHITE-RUMPED, PECTORAL and BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, and 1 each of STILT SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. Single BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were found on the 30th and 1st - one at a sod farm on Snake Island Rd. north of Osgoode and the other at the Casselman lagoons. A probable HORNED GREBE was an early arrival at the large quarry pond on Moodie Dr. south of Trail Rd. on the 3rd. Gatherings of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS and GREAT BLUE HERONS continue to increase. A LEAST BITTERN was a nice surprise on the 4th, in the wetland along the Sarsaparilla Trail in the Stony Swamp Conservation Area. GREAT EGRET numbers are also building up, with an impressive count of 29 birds coming in to roost at the island in the Deschenes rapids on the evening of the 1st. Raptor highlights included BALD EAGLE, several SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWKS, a juvenile NORTHERN GOSHAWK being harassed by AMERICAN CROWS at Casselman on the 5th, and many observations of MERLINS and PEREGRINE FALCONS keeping the ducks and shorebirds on their toes along the river and at the eastern lagoons. A few BONAPARTE'S GULLS and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were again noted on the river from Deschenes to Shirley's Bay, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at Deschenes on the 31st and single CASPIAN TERNS were reported in the same general area on the 31st and 5th. A movement of flycatchers during the week included OLIVE-SIDED and YELLOW-BELLIED, as well as multiple LEAST and GREAT-CRESTED. Four species of vireos were reported since the 31st, and HORNED LARKS and AMERICAN PIPITS were noted south of Casselman. A CAROLINA WREN has been active and apparently aggressive towards other birds in the Britannia Conservation Area since the 4th, and family groups of HOUSE WRENS and BROWN THRASHERS were noted at Shirley's Bay. At least two NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS have been seen on the Nepean Equestrian Park grounds since late August. Warbler-watching was very rewarding all week, with at least 20 "expected"species reported mainly from the Britannia Conservation Area. FIELD, VESPER and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were found south of the international airport, BOBOLINKS continue to fly over, large flocks of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES are gathering in rural areas, and several PURPLE FINCHES were noted in several locations in recent days. Thank you - Good Birding! _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
