Recent sightings to September 24, 2015
It was a great week for JAEGERS in Ottawa. On the 19th a LONG-TAILED JAEGER, very rare here, was found in field south of Ormond and west of Bank Street, just north of Winchester. Still present until the morning of the 20th, this bird gave excellent views for many, and contented itself with eating worms rather than tormenting the local GULL population. It is hard to believe, but this bird temporarily upstaged the PARASITIC JAEGER which is still giving star performances near Ottawa beach as late as the 24th. On the 24th, a probable POMARINE JAEGER, reported being chased by this PARASITIC JAEGER, flew east but was not seen again. The only other highlight was the arrival of the first NELSON’S SPARROW of the year. Seen in multiple locations beginning on the 20th, at least 4 have been seen along the shoreline grass/ marsh between Britannia Pier and Dick Bell Park. It was seen most recently on the 23rd at the west end of Andrew Haydon Park. Some unsettled weather on the 19th was followed by cooler temperatures, but now sun and dry conditions with temperatures above seasonal have returned. The 19th and 20th were fairly active for migrants but it was quieter for the rest of the week. As last week, there was a noticeable change in bird population but nothing dramatic yet. Summer birds continue to quietly disappear, while fall birds suddenly arrive in numbers. Waterbirds increased significantly in numbers and variety this week. The first CACKLING GEESE of the season were on 4th line road (west end) on the 20th, a few SNOW GEESE are around, and the number of CANADA GEESE seen are building up close to the 1000 mark. As last week, 9 species of puddle ducks and 9 of other ducks were seen. 3 GREBES, including the first recent HORNED GREBE (near Kettle Island on the 21st) were seen. Both RUDDY DUCK and AMERICAN COOT were at the Moodie Drive Ponds; neither has been regular recently outside of the eastern part of the region. Shorebird variety dropped a bit relative to last week. Regionally 18 species were seen although many were seen rather briefly. The LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS remained at Shirley’s bay at least until the 23rd. 2 RUDDY TURNSTONES were at Constance bay on the 19th and SANDERLING were at Parc Brébeuf on the 18th. There were 2 sightings of AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER-at the Giroux Ponds on the 20th-23rd, and at the sod farms on the 20th. The same field north of Winchester with the JAEGER also hosted a very late UPLAND SANDPIPER on the 20th. Some recent sightings include: Shirley’s bay: 40 birds of up to 13 species on the 19th; 40 birds of 8 species on the 22nd. Giroux Ponds: 45 birds of 5 species on the 20th. Embrun: 20 birds of 3 species on the 20th.Richmond Conservation area: 8 birds of 4 species including a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER on the 21st. Winchester: 9 birds of 4 species on the 21st including STILT SANDPIPER. Warbler variety was still excellent earlier in the week (10-15+ species per trip) but declined after the 20th (up to 10 species per trip). Perhaps the best warbler day in Ottawa this fall was at Britannia on the 20th, where a single observer had 19 species. Regionally 22 species were seen this week. The local SPARROW population is changing. The first of the fall WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS arrived on the 21st and since then there have been multiple sightings. The first fall AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was at Britannia on the 24th. The first RUSTY BLACKBIRDS of the fall were at Petrie Island on the 18th, and there have been subsequent multiple sightings. Finally, a few other notable sightings: A very late BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO at Britannia on the 20th. 200 Tree swallows on the 19th north of Winchester were an unusual number this late in the year. A late COMMON NIGHTHAWK off Britannia point on the 24th. 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
