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 December 17, 2015 While outside the area, many Ottawa birders headed to Long Sault to look for a female SMEW, which was found on the 13th and made brief appearances early on the 14th. It was searched for but not found on the 15th. This Eurasian duck is rarely seen in eastern North America. Meanwhile, the PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, which caused much excitement 6 weeks ago, came back for a new winter performance, and was seen on the 13th-15th near Lafleche Rd. east of Casselman. As before, it has been challenging finding the bird among the 1000s of SNOW GEESE, Closer to home, and most remarkably, a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was found on the 11th, at Century Road West and Goodstown, nearly 10 kilometers southwest of the sighting of the same species 2 weeks ago. It appears to be the same bird, and was still present on the 15th. The BULLOCK’S ORIOLE is still hanging on in Pakenham as of the 15th, most often seen in or near an apple tree at the south end of Dalkeith. Even when in the tree it keeps itself well hidden. Birders from far and wide are still arriving to see this rarity. The distant third-best sighting of the week was CANVASBACK at Constance Bay (11th-13th) and Shirley’s Bay on the 12th. The continued presence of some of these second two rarities can undoubtedly be attributed to a large extant to the exceptionally mild conditions, which will continue for a few more days at least. Ottawa has seen strange sights in mid-December, and one of the strangest it has ever seen has been green grass and completely open water, with no measurable snow so far this month. Significant numbers of waterbirds remain, although lingering land birds have not been exceptional other than the rarities. Possibly the very mild and open conditions allows them to survive in more places, rather than being concentrated in prime locations. As last week, large numbers of CANADA GEESE are present everywhere, and in the east 1000s of SNOW GEESE remain, although there are only a few west of Ottawa, one being at Andrew Haydon on the 12th. Quite a good variety of ducks remain in the open water. Remnants of the huge fall duck flock at Shirley’s Bay on the 12th were over 300 birds of 9 species. Notable there were WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and LONG-TAILED DUCK. Notable elsewhere there were WHITE-WINGED SCOTER at Baie Simard on the 15th, 4 AMERICAN WIGEON at Britannia, RUDDY DUCK at the Moodie Drive ponds, NORTHERN PINTAIL and NORTHERN SHOVELER at the Bruce pit, and a GREEN-WINGED TEAL at the Almonte Lagoons. Regionally 18 species of duck were seen this week. COMMON LOON has been seen in small numbers, and 2 RED-THROATED LOON were seen from the Aylmer marina on the 14th. A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen at Britannia on the 12th. Late DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT were seen from both Andrew Haydon Park and the Moodie Drive ponds as late as the 12th. Surprisingly, GULL numbers and variety have not been exceptional. GREATER BLACK-BACKED, HERRING and RING-BILLED GULLS are widespread, but sightings of GLAUCOUS, ICELAND and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been rather isolated. The Trail Road landfill is a good spot to look for the latter three species. Of the other water-dependent birds, a late BELTED KINGFISHER was at Nicolls Island north of Manotick on the 14-17th, and 2 GREAT BLUE HERON were at the Moodie Drive Ponds on the 12th were among a few sightings. A GOLDEN EAGLE was in Richmond on the 12th, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE was at the Mer Bleue on the same day. Quite a few large flocks of BOHEMIAN WAXWING are about, the largest being one of 400 in the Beacon Hill area, with 35 CEDAR WAXWING at the Arboretum thrown into the WAXWING mix. COMMON GRACKLE was seen on the 17th at a feeder in Barrhaven, and a late RUSTY BLACKBIRD was in a flock of 40-60 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS on Limebank north of Leitrim on the 12-13th. Such a large flock is very rare this late in the season; the mild temperatures and the fields of corn not being buried in snow are undoubtedly why they have lingered. Single RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were also seen in Gatineau and Carlsbad Springs, more typical of the season. There have been surprisingly few sightings of some expected lingerers like WHITE-THROATED and SONG SPARROWS, given the weather conditions. FINCHES seem to be less common than a few weeks ago. However, 2 RED CROSSBILL that flew over McCordick Rd on the 13th and 7 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL in the greenbelt on Conroy Road on the 12th were exceptions There have been very few sightings of either of these species this season. Finally, a few interesting lingering species: 1. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK coming to a feeder on McCordick Road. 2. 2 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT on the 10th at the Marais aux massettes west of Plaisance. 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
