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 24, 2015 Some major rarities continue in and just outside the region. Outside the region, the female SMEW was found again on the 19th-23rd, this time most often west of the Ault Island Causeway and east of the footbridge to Ault Island (near the Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary). It has been a challenge to find, some people spending the day there without success. The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE was seen again on the 18th, but on this time on Eight Road north of Moose Creek. As before, it has been challenging finding the bird among the 1000s of SNOW GEESE. Inside the region, the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD continued as late as the 23rd, on Century Road West and Goodstown, as does the BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, still hanging on in Pakenham as of the 24th, most often seen in or near an apple tree at the south end of Dalkeith. Meanwhile, the Ottawa area continues its unusual mild and snowless streak, the 24th being the warmest December day ever. There have been no severe cold spells to date, and the ground has not had significant snow cover yet this season, virtually unheard of. Rivers and creeks remain completely open, and even parts of larger ponds. As a result, birds continue to linger, and there have been a number of very unusual sightings, many of which came to light during the Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird count on December 20. Some preliminary results follow. Official results will be published on the OFNC website in the new year. The count took place under very favorable conditions. There was little wind, moderate temperatures, open water and no snow. The species tally was 86, the second best showing ever. This performance was due to the large variety of lingering waterbirds, as well as the large numbers of lingerers among the land birds (the Britannia sector being particularly good). GULL numbers were not exceptional, winter finch numbers were rather low, and we were shut out of blackbirds. There were 7 high counts: CANADA GOOSE, HOODED MERGANSER, BUFFLEHEAD, EASTERN SCREECH OWL, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and DARK-EYED JUNCO. There were 4 new birds for the count, GOLDEN EAGLE (Gatineau), GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Britannia sector), WOOD THRUSH (Experimental Farm), and CAPE MAY WARBLER (near Shefford and the Ottawa River, there until the 22nd). The last two were exceptional sightings, being by far the latest recorded in the region. Another exceptional sighting was a SWAINSON’S THRUSH at Lac Leamy in Gatineau, seen on the 19th-20th. Some other good sightings on the count were: 1. NORTHERN FLICKER in the Aylmer sector 2. SNOW GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON (still on mud lake on the 24th), WINTER WREN, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (seen as late as the 23rd), and SWAMP SPARROW (Dow’s Lake) in the Britannia sector. 3. GREEN-WINGED TEAL (near Bate Island) and BELTED KINGFISHER (Rideau River north of the train bridge) in the Ottawa sector 4. CAROLINA WREN, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (still present on the 24th) and RED CROSSBILL in the Gloucester Sector. Aside from the count itself, a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE cooperatively showed itself on the western pond at Andrew Haydon Park on the 18th-19th, to the delight of dozens of birders and photographers. On the same pond a single SNOW GOOSE and at least 2 CACKLING GEESE were also present among the 100s of CANADA GEESE. An AMERICAN COOT was in the east part of Andrew Haydon Park on the 23rd. An EASTERN PHOEBE, only the third winter record, was seen the 18th-19th near a pond on a golf course about 400 meters southwest of Earl Armstrong Rd. and the Osgoode link trail. A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, rare in the winter, was in Pakenham along with the resident RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER on the 20th. This same species was also found in Pontiac Station on the 21-22nd. A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was in a feeder in Manotick on the 19th, and lastly, 3 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL were at the Pine Grove forestry trail on the 19th. 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
