Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Greg Zbitnew at [email protected] or [email protected]
Recent sightings to November 12, 2015 The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE was seen near the Laflèche landfill east of Casselman on the 5th, then not again until the 11th (when it was seen by many), although many were looking virtually every day for this bird. Although it cannot be known if the bird was there all the time, the difficulties of locating it in the immense flock of SNOW GEESE cannot be underestimated. Just to add to the problem, a small aircraft and helicopter were seen flying over the flock on the 11th causing it to rise like a white cloud. The CATTLE EGRET was still present in the horse paddock on Donnelly Road near Burritts Rapids at least until the 8th. Finally among the rarities, while not that rare, a still notable EURASIAN WIGEON was at Baie Noire (west) on the 7th-8th, and will likely hang around for a while. Aside from these rarities, birding in general has been dull this week. There has been a major decline of all types of birds this week, most notable among the land birds. In general land birding has had a wintry feel, and will probably stay that way, even though temperatures were at or above seasonal levels most of the week. Among the usual geese, 2 ROSS’S GEESE were at Embrun on the 11th. Duck quantity took a major hit this week. At Shirley’s Bay, the number of ducks of declined by up to 75%. On the 10th there were about 700 ducks present. Elsewhere it was similar. COMMON GOLDENEYE is now the most common duck. Still, 24 species of ducks have been found in the region this week, including all three SCOTERS, REDHEAD, and LONG-TAILED DUCK. It is hoped that this is just because the weather has been so good-a lot of southwest winds and no cold fronts. We are still hoping for some major movements of waterbirds before freeze-up. Shorebirds have virtually disappeared from the region, although plenty of unfrozen habitat remains. Many of the recent visits to Shirley’s Bay have produced no shorebirds. There are a few birds here and there. The most unusual have been 2 very late SPOTTED SANDPIPER, one at Shirley’s Bay and the other at Andrew Haydon Park, both last seen on the 12th. 2 lingering WILSON’S SNIPE were at Petrie Island as late as the 10th. Only three other species of shorebird were seen this week, in scattered locations. Among the raptors, notable was a GOLDEN EAGLE near Dunrobin on the 8th. Meanwhile, GULL populations have changed little, and there are still very few sightings of “white-winged” gulls. There have been a few sightings of HERMIT THRUSH (late but not exceptional) among some still significant flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS. Although “summer” birds have virtually disappeared, in addition to the handful of lingering YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, there was a very late ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER on the 5th, and an even later PHILADELPHIA VIREO on the 11th, both on Britannia ridge. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was in Gatineau on the 7th, and there were 2 NORTHERN SHRIKE on March Valley Road on the 11th. Among the handful of remaining SONG and WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS are now at their high winter levels, still giving snatches of song. There are still numbers of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS around, but aside from a COMMON GRACKLE in Russell, that is the only BLACKBIRD seen this week. Lastly, there has still been no significant influx of winter FINCHES, although PINE SISKIN has been frequently seen and mostly heard. 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
