Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
September 1, 2016 The only highlight was a fairly modest one, a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER at Britannia on the 30th. There were 2 sightings of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (early) at Britannia and 1 in Richmond. Weather was again mostly above seasonal temperatures with limited rain. This was not conducive to any major movement of birds. WATERBIRDS and SHOREBIRDS were in limited supply, the latter despite a reasonable amount of habitat. There was a good variety of PASSERINES, with some excellent and mediocre days. WATERBIRDS again were not notable for the most part. A SNOW GOOSE west of the Rockcliffe airport was early, or perhaps a sign of the increasing numbers of this species. 2 REDHEAD at the Moodie Drive ponds on the 28th and LESSER SCAUP at Shirley’s Bay on the 28th-1st were a little more than ordinary. There were no real concentrations of SHOREBIRDS anywhere. The best spots are Shirley’s Bay (up to about 40 birds), Embrun (up to about 55 birds) and the Richmond Conservation areas (up to 50 birds). Notable this week were: 1. Shirley’s Bay: BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was there until the 26th, STILT SANDPIPER most of the week, BAIRD’S SANDPIPER until the 29th, and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE on the 31st-1st. 2. Embrun: BAIRD’S and STILT SANDPIPER on the 27th. 3. Richmond: STILT SANDPIPER on the 28th. 4. Andrew Haydon Park: RED-NECKED PHALAROPE on the 30th, and HUDSONIAN GODWIT on the 1st. 5. Blakeney: WHIMBREL on the 28th. Among the PASSERINES, this will likely be the last week before significant declines in many species such as FLYCATCHERS. A single sighting of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was in Britannia on the 25th, but by contrast there have been a number of sightings of YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER in various places this week. 24 species of WARBLER were seen this week. There was an exceptional single-observer sighting of 20 species in Britannia on the 27th, including the first-of-the season BLACKPOLL WARBLER. More generally there is good variety but not large numbers. The better areas are seeing 10-15 species of WARBLER in a single visit. Finally, a CAROLINA WREN was in Carlington on the 28th. Note re: Access to the Shirley’s Bay causeway. The OFNC has a signed agreement with DND and PWGS that gives OFNC members limited access to this important birding area. You must call the Range Control Office (613-991-5740) before entering DND property, and you will be informed how far down the causeway you can go. Please respect their instructions for your safety, as the shooting patterns vary from day to day. 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
