Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Greg Zbitnew at [email protected] or [email protected]
Recent sightings to August 20, 2015 A LITTLE GULL was seen off Britannia point on the evening of the 18th, and was seen again on the evening of the 19th from the Quebec side. A SUMMER TANAGER was heard calling (but not seen) on the 16th in Britannia The last highlight was a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, seen and heard, at the Almonte Lagoons on the 14th. Unfortunately these last two birds were ephemeral wonders; neither was seen again. Generally birding was rather slow this week, as it was last week. The persistent heat, southerly flow and lack of major weather systems passing through was unfavorable for much migration of any kind. Like last week, waterfowl sightings were generally not notable. Some exceptions were the lingering BRANT, an early BUFFLEHEAD and 2 early GREATER SCAUP. All these were along the Ottawa River between Shirley’s Bay and Britannia. SHOREBIRD populations generally changed little during the course of the week. While numbers built up in the better areas, variety actually declined from last week. There were a few exceptions, though. The first-of-the-fall RED-NECKED PHALAROPES arrived, 2 at Britannia point on the 18th, and 1 at Parc Brébeuf on the 19th. There was a RUDDY TURNSTONE, again the first of the fall, seen from Britannia ridge. Shirley’s Bay remains the best place for SHOREBIRDS. Habitat remains good, and there have been up to 200 birds, but mostly only the most common species have been seen. STILT SANDPIPER put in an appearance there on the 18th and 20th. In the last week, only 14 species of SHOREBIRDS have been seen in the region, decidedly poorer than last week despite the advance of the season. Some recent sightings included: 1. Almonte: 100 birds of 4 species on the 16th; 100 birds of 7 species on the 19th. 2. Casselman: 1 species on the 15th. 3. Embrun: 9 birds of 4 species on the 15th. 4. Giroux Ponds: Some habitat; 1 species on the 20th. 5. Ottawa River shore (Andrew Haydon Park and east): 3 common species. 6. Parc Brébeuf: 3 species on the 19th. 7. Petrie Island (west of the causeway): 35 birds of 7 species on the 20th, many birds obscured by vegetation. 8. St. Albert: None on the 15th 9. Shirley’s Bay: 200 birds of 10 species on the 18th; 150 birds of 7 species on the 19th; 135 birds of 9 species on the 20th. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continues to be regular at Deschênes in the evenings, where one evening there was also an unusually large number of CASPIAN TERN (30). There has been a noticeable change to the insectivore population, with many of the residents declining in numbers, while others are increasing as they pass through. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen in Richmond on the 16th and Dolman Ridge Road on the 20th, and 2 YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS in Beacon Hill, and 1 on Dolman Ridge Road on the 20th. The number of SWALLOWS has dropped significantly, except in the few spots where they are congregating prior to departure. By contrast, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of COMMON NIGHTHAWK sightings, including 100 or more on Pakenham on the 14th, an unusually large number. As last week 21 of the 25 regular WARBLERS were seen regionally this week, but all of them were the expected species and only modest (5-10 species per trip) numbers and variety were seen. 4 species of VIREO were seen including the first recent report of PHILADELPHIA VIREO on the 17th from Britannia. Other than a CAROLINA WREN singing in Constance Bay on the 18th, there was nothing else of note among the passerines. 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
