Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec
Compiler and transcriber: Greg Zbitnew at [email protected] or [email protected] Recent reports to January 22, 2015 Despite a brief thaw on the 18th, Ottawa remains firmly in the grips of winter with colder than average conditions but not much new snow. The Rideau River is now almost entirely frozen, but there are still extensive stretches of open water on the Ottawa River. Despite this, there are a few feeble signs of spring-NORTHERN CARDINALS are starting to sing, and NORTHERN RAVENS have been seen doing courtship behavior. Although there has been little change in the bird variety from the previous week, a HERMIT THRUSH was at Britannia on the 18th and 19th, and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the Trail Road landfill on the 18th along with the other usual species of GULLS. The GYRFALCON was seen again this week, on the 16th-18th at the Laflèche landfill east of Ottawa. It has been reported hunting successfully, but even on the days it is seen, birders may have a wait of several hours before a sighting. Another GYRFALCON was seen near Mountain, Ontario (Hwy. 43 and Regional Road 1) on the 19th but was not seen again. Some lingering waterfowl are present, but there is a slightly different mix than last week: 1. GREATER SCAUP was at Britannia as recently as the 20th. 2. WOOD DUCK was near the Rideau Tennis Club on the 20th. 3. NORTHERN SHOVELER was seen at Appaloosa Park on the 18th 4. 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYE and 2 BUFFLEHEAD were seen from Bate Island on the 21st 5. HOODED MERGANSER was at Black Rapids lock on the 21st Farmview Road in Kinburn had up to 10 GRAY PARTIDGE on the 18th and 19th. In the area around Stony Swamp, BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS have been seen reliably on the Sarsaparilla Trail, the last report being from the 18th. The same species was seen in the Mer Bleue area on the 21st, the first recent report from the east end. The AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER was at Chemin Grimes as recently as the 18th, and the NORTHERN FLICKER was at the Moore Farm on the 19th. NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen from both the Sarsaparilla Trail and from near Dwyer Hill. LAPLAND LONGSPUR was seen on Lockhead Road and in Quyon. There has been some change to the winter finch population. REDPOLLS are increasing in numbers, both HOARY and COMMON REDPOLL, but there are no reliable spots yet. The first recent PINE GROSBEAKS (6) were seen on Bertrand Road in the Larose forest on the 18th, but were not relocated. PINE SISKIN were seen in Larose Forest and in Russell this week. There have been some recent concerns from local residents who have bird feeders. Please remember to respect the birding ethics. Most particularly, when viewing a feeder near to and especially in front of a private residence be discreet, do not linger and never trespass. Avoid prolonged viewing and avoid taking pictures of a residence or the feeder without the permission of the owner. 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. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations. Good birding. _______________________________________________ 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
