Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
February 23, 2017 There were 2 highlights this week-4 TRUMPETER SWANS in Carleton Place on the 18th, and 2 on the 21st. A GRAY JAY was seen from time to time at a feeder near Quyon on the 16-21st. A little outside the area, and possibly a first for Lanark County, a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE was seen near Smith’s Falls on the 18th to at least the 21st Meanwhile, the topsy-turvy winter weather has given us a major week-long thaw with sun and rain, and on the 23rd our warmest temperature since mid-November. This has caused causing considerable melting, and a few early migrants, like the RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD at Trail Road on the 20th. Area birders are cautioned that spring has NOT arrived. Among the waterbirds, a RING-NECKED DUCK was seen in Carleton Place, undoubtedly a recent arrival from a little farther south. Other than that, all the lingerers/ specialities were seen-WOOD DUCK and AMERICAN WIGEON at Billings Bridge, NORTHERN PINTAIL on Iber Road, and the HARLEQUIN DUCK at Hurdman, which is becoming more colourful by the week. 5 species of GULL were reported, highlights being ICELAND GULL at Parc Mousette on the 19th and GLAUCOUS GULL at the Trail Road Landfill. A few less common RAPTORS were seen: GOLDEN EAGLE at Val des Monts on the 18 th, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK at Lac Ramsay on the 19th and near Luskville on the 21st, and an AMERICAN KESTREL in Kanata on the 19th. A few probably early migrant NORTHERN HARRIERS have been cruising the agricultural fields. A BELTED KINGFISHER was at Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham on the 19th, and up to 9 GRAY PARTRIDGE are irregular in the neighbourhood near Robert Grant/ Bobolink/ Cope. A HERMIT THRUSH was in Val Tétreau on the 17th, and another was in Manotick on the 18th. 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were on Klondike Road in Kanata on the 18-19th and near Richmond on the 21st. 2 CHIPPING SPARROWS continue in Carleton Place as of the 23rd. For those interested in different populations, a DARK-EYED JUNCO (OREGON) was seen in Poltimore. 4 COMMON GRACKLES were in Fitzroy Harbour on the 17-18th, with another and a possible migrant in Russell on the 23rd. Finally, 2 PINE GROSBEAK were in Kanata on the 17th. 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
