Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
October 26, 2017 The best bird of the week was a CANVASBACK, which was quite cooperative at Shirley’s Bay from the 21-24th. The HUDSONIAN GODWIT was still at the Carp River Reclamation area until the 25th, although it had recently moved to a pond closer to Terry Fox. Persistent unseasonal warmth was enjoyed most of the week, although it had cooled to near normal by the 26th. This probably encouraged a few lingering birds to continue in the area. Generally, though, WATERFOWL variety and numbers were excellent but SONGBIRD numbers dropped. Regionally, 25 species of DUCK were seen this week. The usual best spot was Shirley’s bay, with a cumulative 24 species including all 3 SCOTERS, REDHEAD and LONG-TAILED DUCK. Most of the over 1000 birds were LESSER SCAUP. At Baie Noire on the 21st there were about 900 birds of 12 species of DUCK, mostly RING-NECKED DUCK and AMERICAN WIGEON. 3 EURASIAN WIGEON were there as well. A EURASIAN WIGEON was also seen near Cumberland on the 21st. Late AMERICAN BITTERNS were in Kanata on the 20th and Petrie Island on the 23rd. Quite a number of GREAT EGRETS are still around as late as the 26th. 2 late COMMON GALLINULE were in Casselman on the 21st, and 4 were at Baie Noire also on the 21st. SANDHILL CRANE numbers are now over 100 on McFadden on the 25th. A late Osprey was at Andrew Haydon park on the 21st. SHOREBIRDS are rather ordinary, except that an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER at Ste. Cécile de Masham on the 22nd was a bit out of the ordinary. Other than this there were a few other notable sightings, mostly either early or late or a bit rare: 1. A CAROLINA WREN was at Andrew Haydon park on the 23rd (a bit rare). 2. A TENNESSEE WARBLER at the Rockcliffe Airport on the 21st (a bit late). 3. The last WARBLER sighting was a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER at the Bruce Pit on the 24th. 4. On the Carp Ridge on the 22nd, a late EASTERN TOWHEE and a number of somewhat late AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 5. 2 RED CROSSBILLS in Britannia on the 20th, and a small flock is continuing on Eardley-Masham Road. 6. 3 late INDIGO BUNTING continuing at Baie Noire on the 21st. 7. The first of the season SNOW BUNTING at the west end of Jamieson on the 26th. 8. 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS on Rushmore Road 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. *Reminder regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway:* DND has 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. _______________________________________________ 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
