Ontario/Quebec Ottawa/Gatineau April 3, 2014 Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler & transcriber Bob Cermak [email protected] or [email protected] Early spring migrants continue to arrive with increasing numbers of CANADA GEESE, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, TURKEY VULTURE, COMMON GRACKLE, GREAT BLUE HERON and HOODED MERGANSER. The Mississippi River at Riverside Park on the south end of Lake Ave West in Carleton Place continues to be active. This week there have been: CANADA GEESE, COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER, BUFFLEHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK, COMMON GOLDENEYE, NORTHERN PINTAIL and on the 28th and 3rd TRUMPETER SWAN (2). On the Rideau River DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (2) on the 3rd, at Maple Hill Park PIED-BILLED GREBE and CANADA GEESE (550) on the 2nd, at the Hurdman Bridge GREAT BLUE HERON, COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER and at the Tennis Club BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (m & f) on the 28th. On the Ottawa River Deschenes Rapids BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (m) and HORNED GREBE on the 29th and on the 3rd GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN PINTAIL (15) and GREATER SCAUP (2). Hawk watching from Greenland Rd west of Thomas Dolan Pkwy on the 31st: COOPER'S (1), ROUGH-LEGGED (1), RED-TAILED (2) and RED-SHOULDERED (2) HAWK and TURKEY VULTURE (6). West of the OFNC area on the Mississippi River ice near the bridge on Sheridan Rapids Rd an extremely early SOLITARY SANDPIPER present for several days last reported April 2nd. EVENING GROSBEAK (3m 1f) have been coming to the very active feeders (which can be seen well from the road) on the west side of Larose Forest for the last 4 days. PURPLE FINCH (15+) and a good selection of other species are usually present. GPS Users have to enter, 1917 Indian Creek Road, Limoges & choose The Nation. Interesting sightings: BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD at the Hilda Rd feeders, BOREAL CHICKADEE at Baie Simard in Gatineau on the 28th, NORTHERN FLICKER at Mer Bleue. On the 1st SNOW GEESE (200) flying over Richmond, on Moodie Dr KILLDEER (2) near the Burnside Pit and EASTERN MEADOWLARK north of Trail Rd, EASTERN PHOEBE on Hickory Dr in Kemptville and in Pakenham KILLDEER (1) and OSPREY (1) flyover. On the 2nd NORTHERN HARRIER (m) and KILLDEER along hwy 7 between Carleton Place and Stittsville and AMERICAN WOODCOCK at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. On the 3rd ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (6) along a 500 meter stretch of Earl Armstrong Rd, at the Richmond lagoon BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (2), EASTERN MEADOWLARK and WOOD DUCK (2), NORTHERN FLICKER at Chapman Mills Conservation Area and AMERICAN WOODCOCK (3) on Rifle Rd.
Local birding field trips: April 6 (Sunday) 8 - 11 a.m. Birds for beginners April 13 (Sunday) 7 - 10 p.m. Frogs & Birds at night (confirm date on OFNC web site) http://www.ofnc.ca/events.php April 13 (Sunday) 7 - approx. 1 p.m. Spring waterfowl migration east of Ottawa http://www.ofo.ca/site/tripsupcoming Thank you to everyone who contributed bird observations. 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
