In case anyone wonders....I forgot to include RUDDY TURNSTONE in the local
shorebird list: 1 was at Casselman lagoons on 05 September, and 4 were in
the Deschenes rapids (Quebec side of the Ottawa River) on 31 August.
Good birding again!
Chris Lewis
Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club
Bird Status Line 613-860-9000
Ottawa, ON
[email protected]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christina Lewis" <[email protected]>
To: "OFO sightings" <[email protected]>; "BIRDEAST"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2011 10:10 AM
Subject: [Ontbirds] Ottawa/Gatineau - 06 Sep 11 - recent reports
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/
_______________________________________________
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/
