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 31, 2015 Like last week, some major rarities continue in and just outside the region. Outside the region, the female SMEW was last found on the 28th, most recently at the south end of Ault Island. The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE was seen again on the 25th, as before on Eight Road north of Moose Creek. Inside the region, the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD continued as late as the 28th near Century Road West and Goodstown, as does the BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, still hanging on in Pakenham as of the 30th , most often seen in or near an apple tree at the south end of Dalkeith. Recent reports suggest that it may be suffering, not being as active as before. Aside from the major rarities, the latest sensation is a female or young male SUMMER TANAGER visiting a number of feeders in New Edinburgh. It has been seen from about December 24-31st. This is a rarity at any time, and the first winter record. Winter finally arrived in Ottawa, after a record warm December, with a massive snow dump of 25 cm on the 29th. Temperatures have been much colder, but not severe, so that the rivers and streams remain open. The snow cover, it is hoped, will concentrate the lingering land birds at feeders and other prime locations. Some recent Christmas bird counts have uncovered some unusual birds, at least before the major snowstorm. On the 25th, a KILLDEER was just north of Pakenham, which about the same time also had a PINE WARBLER. Notable on the Arnprior-Pakenham count of December 26 was DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, both COMMON and RED-THROATED LOON as well as a RED-NECKED GREBE. The rivers, while still unfrozen, are not showing large numbers of waterbirds. Some notable sightings are RED-THROATED LOON at Lac McGregor on the 26th, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and RED-NECKED GREBE at Baie Simard on the 26th, AMERICAN WIGEON at Britannia until the 27th, and NORTHERN SHOVELER at Deschenes rapids on the 28th, and NORTHERN PINTAIL at a small patch of water at the Giroux ponds on the 30-31st. On the 28th, a BELTED KINGFISHER was at Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham. A BALTIMORE ORIOLE, very rare in winter, livened up a feeder in the Fallowfield area on the 26th, where it had been resident for about 2 weeks before. On the 31st, a BROWN THRASHER was seen at a currently unknown location on the Trans-Canada trail. Aside from the rarities already mentioned, land birds have not been out of the ordinary. A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was near Smith and 10th line on the 25th, interesting but not exceptional, and lastly, 7 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL were at Pakenham on the 26th. 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
