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]
January 21, 2016 The best bird of the week is unfortunately not available for our viewing pleasure. A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW is coming to a feeder in Aylmer, but the location has not yet been disclosed. Meanwhile, a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE was found on Sparks and Bay on the 21st. This was a surprise as the downtown core is very rarely a spot for good birds. Additionally, there is an unconfirmed report of a GYRFALCON on Chemin Doherty near Buckingham, and a GRAY JAY was reported on Chemin du Lac la Pêche on the 16th. A few other rarities continue. The SUMMER TANAGER was last seen in New Edinburgh on the 21st,, the TUFTED TITMOUSE was still present in Breckenridge on the 17th, and the HARLEQUIN DUCK was still at Bate Island as of the 21st. Weather in Ottawa this week was most unusual, with seasonal temperatures and modest amounts of snow. It has been some time since Ottawa has had normal weather. A result there was little change to the bird population, meaning that the woods are generally dead, feeders are active, and there are still a few birds to chase on the rivers which still have modest amounts of open water. Some of the lingering waterbirds are faithful to a particular spot, like the WOOD DUCK, still near the Rideau Tennis Club as of the 18th, while a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER has been moving around, most recently on the 21st near Carleton University but on the 17th it was near Bate Island. BUFFLEHEAD have been semi-regular at this spot as well. 2 AMERICAN WIGEON showed up at Billings Bridge on the 16th, while a LESSER SCAUP was there on the 18-21st. GULL numbers and variety are now low, with only HERRING, GLAUCOUS and mostly GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS at the Trail Road Landfill on the 18th. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER has been regular at Parc du Shamal in Gatineau as recently as the 20th, and the first recent sighting of an AMERICAN KESTREL was on the 17th on Diamondview Road. Finches continue to give a lacklustre performance. Even the better areas like the Eardley Masham Rd. gave only small numbers of PINE SISKIN and COMMON REDPOLL. Other assorted birds of interest are as follows: 1. HERMIT THRUSH in Gatineau Park on the 21st. 2. LAPLAND LONGSPUR on Lockhead Rd. on the 20th. 3. COMMON GRACKLE in Barrhaven on the 12th. 4. NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at Britannia on the 14th. 5. NORTHERN FLICKER in the Navaho Park area on the 14th 6. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD on Moodie Drive on the 16th 7. BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD near Carlsbad Springs on the 16th. 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
