Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
December 7, 2017 There were no new birds this week, but some of the previous week’s “goodies” stuck around for a little longer. The BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER at Britannia was last seen on the 2nd, and the YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was its usual frustrating self and was last seen at Trail road on the 2nd as well. Unseasonably mild conditions kept major water bodies open/ flowing, and combined with the absence of snow cover got the winter birding season off to an excellent start, with about 90 species seen since December 1st. The most surprising find was a NELSON’S SPARROW near the Best Buy in Kanata on the 4th, but not relocated. At least 100s if not 1000s of SNOW GEESE are still around east of Ottawa, most particularly near Embrun on the 3rd. We can expect large numbers to continue as long as there is not much snow on the ground, because these geese, despite their name, do not like snow. A ROSS’S GOOSE continued in the west end, most recently on McKenna Casey on the 6th. 2 CACKLING GEESE were at Andrew Haydon Park on the 6th. DUCK variety and numbers continue to diminish, but there were still 18 species seen this week. There were a number of other miscellaneous interesting sightings this week: 1. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON has been regular most of the week at a storm water pond on Cope Drive just after sunset. 2. 8 GRAY PARTRIDGE near Cope Drive on the 3rd. 3. Up to 2 BELTED KINGFISHERS at Petrie Island on the 2nd, and one was at the mouth of the Jock River on the 5th. 4. A NORTHERN FLICKER at Petrie Island on the 2nd to 3rd. 5. A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER in Orleans on the 4th, and one in Packenham on the 7th. 6. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET at Bay Simard on the 7th. 7. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER continues at Britannia as of the 5th. 8. CAROLINA WREN at a feeder in Kanata on the 5th. 9. WINTER WREN in Britannia as of the 2nd. 10. GRAY CATBIRD in Britannia as late as the 2nd. RED CROSSBILLS continue on the Eardley-Masham Road, and at the Pine Grove Trail a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL flew over on the 7th. Unfortunately, neither species seems to be increasing in numbers or spreading. 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 a list of OFNC members who HAVE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED access. DND will check, so make sure that your membership is up to date and that you have requested to be on the access list. 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
