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 sightings to March 26, 2015 Spring is still struggling to arrive in Ottawa. It was mostly a cold week with well below normal temperatures. A thaw Wednesday and Thursday has brought a few hints of spring, although by and large, late winter birding still prevails in Ottawa. Seen from Bate Island on the 26th, there were a number of new arrivals: 16 NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 2 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT and a PIED-BILLED GREBE. Other new arrivals include BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD from the Carleton Heights area on the 23rd, COMMON GRACKLE in a few locations starting on the 20th, GREAT BLUE HERON and NORTHERN HARRIER on Greenland Road on the 25th, and RED-SHOULDERED HAWK from the same location on the 26th. Reports of CANADA GOOSE are increasing. Numbers from single birds up to flocks of 40 are being seen. However, the major waterfowl grounds in the east are just beginning to melt. There was only a single CANADA GOOSE on Milton Road on the 26th. Birders can expect major changes day-to-day in this area, once we have steady thaws. Birds of prey are still in the news. Greenland Road once again put on a good showing. On the 20th, there were 2 GOLDEN EAGLES there, and 3 on the 25th. Another was seen flying over Conley Road on the 23rd. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on Greenland Road on the 25th. There have been many reports of TURKEY VULTURE; soon this bird will everywhere. A male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was seen in Pakenham this week, the first report in several weeks. There was still a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER at Jack Pine Trail on the 25th. 400 BOHEMIAN WAXWING were on Greenland Road on the 20th. A CAROLINA WREN was seen in Bell’s Corners again this week on the 22nd. Unfortunately this bird is irregular in its appearance and has so far only been seen from a private residence. There were a few sightings of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD early this week, but quite a few more on the 26th. 6 PINE SISKIN were at a feeder in Pakenham. COMMON REDPOLL are still around in numbers. There were 100 at the feeder at the Dewberry Trail this week. 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
