Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected] or [email protected]
August 25, 2016 The highlight of the week was a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER at Shirley’s Bay on the 24-25th. This species is less than annual in Ottawa. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER at Shirley’s bay 22nd was a much lesser highlight. Weather was mostly above seasonal temperatures with a significant rain on the 21st. Migrant PASSERINES were in good variety but not huge numbers. SHOREBIRD variety was good at times, notably on the 21st and 24th, but the numbers are a small fraction of what they were before the rains last week. Habitat on the Ottawa River is reasonable between the rains. Waterbirds were not notable at all this week. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was regular at the Deschênes Rapids. Again this week, 19 species of SHOREBIRDS were seen in the region. Shirley’s bay had 10 species including the rarity and both BAIRD’S and STILT SANDPIPER. Other spots on the river have virtually no shorebirds. A few spots, mostly east of Ottawa, had a small fallout in the rain on the 21st, but everywhere numbers are low. Some recent sightings include: 1. Almonte Lagoons: 7 birds of 2 species on the 24th. 2. Richmond CA: 30 birds of 6 species on the 21st, including A SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. 3. Casselman: 12 BIRDS OF 7 species on the 21st including RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. 4. Embrun: 78 of 8 species on the 21st including STILT and BAIRD’S SANDPIPER; 30 birds of 5 species on the 22nd. Southward migration was very evident this week. There were several sightings of YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER THIS WEEK, and 2 of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Larose forest and South March Highlands). On the 22nd -23rd there were several sightings of PHILADELPHIA VIREO, and 2 of YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Richmond CA and Shirley’s Bay). There have been some noticeable concentrations of SWALLOWS-over 600 TREE SWALLOWS at Embrun on the 21st, for example. The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER is still in Torbolton Forest as of the 20th. The first of the migrant SWAINSON’S THRUSH were seen on August 22 and Gatineau and heard flying overhead the same night. Overall, most species of PASSERINES are at or above their summer levels, although a few like YELLOW WARBLER seem to be moving out. In a week or two at the most we can expect some major movement out of the region. 23 species of WARBLER were seen in the region, including a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER at Shirley’s bay on the 25th. 10-15 species of WARBLER are now being seen per trip, the largest being 15 at Britannia on the 21st. Finally, a PINE SISKIN WAS at a feeder in Ottawa on the 24th. 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. We encourage everyone to report their bird sightings on eBird for the benefit of the entire birding community. Good birding. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
