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]
March 31, 2016 A BRAMBLING was reported in the Walkley Road/ Airport Parkway area in a mixed finch flock on the 29th, but has not been found again. There is also a report of a VARIED THRUSH at a private residence in Beckwith Township, but so far this bird has only been seen infrequently by the owner of the residence. The bird is not visible from a public road. Aside from these, the highlight of the week was another GYRFALCON seen on the 26th on Berwick Road north of Chesterville along with a ROSS’S GOOSE. Much milder weather this week has melted last week’s snow and has made inroads into the snow cover in sheltered areas. However, the warmth has not yet been sufficient to cause the breakup of the Ottawa River at places like Shirley’s Bay. Many new birds have arrived, and others have become fairly widespread. With the flooding east of Ottawa more or less over, waterbirds are more dispersed, but there are still some modest flocks in the east here and there. In a few weeks the rising and soon to be open Ottawa River will be a major focus. As of Thursday, there have not been large numbers on the river, although there are modest numbers east of Ottawa at Plaisance. Notable there were 2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS there on the 27th. The 2 elusive GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen again on Frank Kenney on the 27th. Once again, there have been multiple sightings of GOLDEN EAGLE, with at least 5 on Berwick Road on the 26th and others to the north. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK has been regular on Greenland Road. There have been a number of arrivals this week: 1. There have been numerous sightings of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT have been seen starting on the 26th, mostly near Britannia and various places on the Rideau River. 2. Up to 2 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON were at Britannia on the 26-27th. 3. A PIED-BILLED GREBE was in the Munster area on the 26th. 4. A few sightings of OSPREY from the 26th. 5. A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was at Mooney’s Bay on the 29th. 6. AMERICAN WOODCOCK and WILSON’S SNIPE are now in multiple places in small numbers. 7. Both BELTED KINGFISHER and TREE SWALLOW are now here in small numbers. 8. An early CHIPPING SPARROW was in Manotick on the 3oth. 9. A FOX SPARROW was seen in a few locations from the 27th. 10. A SAVANNAH SPARROW was on Chemin Parker east of Gatineau on the 26th. 11. BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD and RUSTY BLACKBIRD are now here in small numbers. Some species of FINCH are passing though in large numbers all over the city, specifically flocks of up to several hundred PINE SISKIN and COMMON REDPOLL. In the REDPOLL flocks there are a few HOARY REDPOLL. Some of the scarcer FINCHES also put in an appearance. A RED CROSSBILL was at the Bruce pit on the 30th, and 6 PINE GROSBEAK were in Gatineau Park north of Camp Fortune. 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. _______________________________________________ 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
