Ontario/Quebec Ottawa/Gatineau February 13, 2014 Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler & transcriber Bob Cermak [email protected] or [email protected] This has been an amazing winter for exceptional sightings. First ever BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER in December, first January record for YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, probably a record number of Northern Shrike in mid January, REDHEAD in January and February and HORNED and RED-NECKED GREBE in February. Possibly due to the very extensive ice cover on the Great Lakes there has been an unusual and possibly unprecedented number of White-winged Scoters and Red-necked Grebes on the limited inland open water in north east USA and Ontario in late January and early February. Check open water for unexpected species!
RED-NECKED GREBE (2), seen since the 8th continue above and below (usually along the ice edge) the Deschenes Rapids, in the channel north of the Britannia Conservation Area and west of Bate Island. A HORNED GREBE was seen on the 8th and 9th along the ice edge above the Deschenes Rapids. REDHEAD (5 m) were still present on the Mississippi River east of the Queen St bridge in Almonte on the 8th and may still be present. LONG-TAILED DUCK continues usually above the Deschenes Rapids. LAPLAND LONGSPUR (6), SNOW BUNTING, HORNED LARK, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (4) and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (1) continue along Lockhead Rd W just west of 4th Line Rd SE of North Gower. BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER (m&f) continue along the Moodie Dr Jack Pine Trails usually near the feeder. On the 8th one birder found RED-TAILED (18, 7 on Trail Rd) and ROUGH-LEGGED (4) HAWK and NORTHERN SHRIKE (3). BOHEMIAN (1) with a small flock of CEDAR WAXWING near the grain silos on Lockhead Rd W on the 9th. Continuing birds are GRAY PARTRIDGE (6) seen occasionally in the area of 4184 Moodie Dr, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE around Bate Island, LONG-TAILED DUCK (f) above and below Deschenes Rapids, GREEN-WINGED TEAL (m) on the creek along March Valley Rd east of Klondike Rd, AMERICAN ROBIN (12) and. CEDAR WAXWING (4) along Cassels St and the HERMIT THRUSH was seen again along Cassels St near Mud Lake on the 13th. Thank you to everyone who contributed bird observations. Code of conduct Due to increasing and widespread concerns regarding disturbance of wildlife and property, the OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to [email protected] for the purpose of maintaining local records. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
