Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
August 17, 2017 There were two minor highlights this week. A YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was seen in Carp this week, but unfortunately not seen again. On the 13th there were 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES at Embrun and 1 at St. Albert. There was some good news for birding this week. The Shirley’s Bay causeway is now accessible for birders, but there are new access rules. Please see the note at the end of this report for details. It was a relatively dry week in the region, but SHOREBIRDS are in poor supply everywhere. PASSERINE variety has noticeably increased but there has been little but the expected birds. Of the WATERBIRDS, there has been nothing to write home about except for a HORNED GREBE at Embrun on the 14th and a REDHEAD at the Moodie Drive Ponds on the 12th. Unfortunately, as of the 17th, there were NO mudflats at Shirley’s Bay and NO SHOREBIRDS. A slight rise in the Ottawa River has eliminated even the tiny emerging mudflats of last week. However, a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was in the area on the 13th before the water levels rose. Aside from what was noted above, Casselman, Embrun and St. Albert had only a small number of common species this week. The same was true for the Carp River. Up to 3 or 4 LEAST BITTERNS are still being seen regularly off Rivington in Carp. There has definitely been a movement from the north. A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was in Richmond on the 13th, and an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was in Britannia on the 10th. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS and gathering flocks of SWALLOWS are becoming a little more conspicuous. PASSERINES are becoming a little more conspicuous too in the “hot” areas like Britannia and Trail 10 near Shirley’s Bay. PHILADELPHIA VIREOS have been seen a few times this week, and BLUE-HEADED VIREOS are fairly regular. WARBLERS have been of interest this week. We are now in the season where any of the 25 regulars can be seen almost anywhere. This last week, 23 species have been seen and an additional one is probably around. A GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER in Aylmer on the 11th was of interest. WILSON’S WARBLER and BLACKPOLL WARBLER were some of the non-breeders seen. Finally, 5 RED CROSSBILLS were near Lac McGregor on the 16th. Note regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway: The causeway is DND property and was closed because it was considered unsafe, but the OFNC is again allowed to access it but now entirely at our own risk. The OFNC's agreement absolves DND of any and all liability if you are injured or killed on the property. DND has also amended our access procedure. You must call Range Control (613-991-5740) for permission, state that you are an OFNC member and give your name. DND will be provided with the OFNC's membership list and they will check, so you need to keep your membership up to date. Finally, you must call again when you have left the area. DND would also like to be informed if you see anyone on the property who should not be there, such as boats in the bay or people fishing on the causeway. They are trespassing and DND will deal with the situation. 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
