Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler and transcriber: Bob Cermak at [email protected] or [email protected]
Recent reports to June 5, 2014 The Ottawa River in Ottawa/Gatineau has proven again this year to be one of the best places in Ontario to see spring migrating ARCTIC TERNS. After the first flock of 44 on the 25th flocks of 2 to 7 have been seen at a number of locations flying west up river every day since the 2nd. Many (up to 17) stop briefly to feed on the emerging Caddisfly east of the Deschenes Rapids, seen from Britannia Point at the east end of Cassels St. The Caddisfly feeding frenzy includes many RING-BILLED GULLS and small numbers of COMMON and BLACK TERNS, BONAPARTE'S and up to 3 LITTLE GULLS. A few migrating birds continue to move through our area. The flooded fields on the south side of Brophy Rd east of Moodie Dr continue to have a small number of a variety of shorebirds including LESSER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and a male RED-NECKED PHALAROPE which has been present since the 2nd. Other species found this past week were: OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER and a single SNOW GOOSE on Shea Rd on the 3rd. Most birds now present are on their breeding territory, COMMON NIGHTHAWK have been heard at several locations downtown, WHIP-POOR-WILL are being heard on the upper Thomas Dolan Pkwy and in Larose Forest, LEAST BITTERN have been heard at Constance Creek on Thomas Dolan Pkwy and at least 8 sparrow species are breeding in the grassy fields south of the International Airport. Interesting sightings: EURASIAN WIGEON (male) continues on the grass at the edge of the Ottawa River at the mouth of the Rideau Canal since the 27th and SEDGE WREN (3+) continue in the grassy fields east of the marsh which is north of the bike path and west of the intersection of Moodie Dr and Corkstown Rd. There was a MARBLED GODWIT at the Alfred lagoons on the 31st and CASPIAN TERNS have been present all week over the Moodie Dr pond (south of Trail Rd). Previously a Caspian Tern was seen on May 24th from the Britannia Pier. Due to 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 local records. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations. _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
