Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
December 21, 2017 The highlight of the week was the annual Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on the 17th. Unfortunately, the results were rather pitiful. The species count of 63 was the lowest in a decade. The snow and cold of the past week were undoubtedly factors in the low showing. Numbers of WATERBIRDS, GULLS, and WINTER FINCHES were low. Fruit-eating bird numbers were also very low, with AMERICAN ROBINS less than 10% of last year’s record high, and the lowest in 5 years. There were no exceptional birds, but still there were some interesting sightings: Aylmer Sector: LONG-TAILED DUCK (Deschênes Rapids), RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, Hull Sector: LAPLAND LONGSPUR, Gatineau Sector: 2 SAVANNAH SPARROWS, Britannia Sector: AMERICAN WIGEON, HERMIT THRUSH, and Ottawa Sector: GRAY CATBIRD, 3 WOOD DUCKS There was cold weather and snow all week, and we now have typical winter conditions, which means very little around, and little motivation as well. Rivers are mostly frozen except in the faster sections. Only a few CANADA GEESE remain out of all the thousands of GEESE here as early as last week. 10 species of DUCK were seen this week, 99% of which were the regular winter residents. 2 WOOD DUCKS were still at Billings Bridge as of the 19th. In the declining area of open water, 4 GREAT BLUE HERONS on the CBC were a record high, and a BELTED KINGFISHER was near Vars on the 14th-19th. There were a few interesting sightings of RAPTORS. A GOLDEN EAGLE was in Masson on the 15th, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was in Russell on the 20th, and a late NORTHERN HARRIER was on Trail Road on the 17th. Other miscellaneous sightings include: 1. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER in Luskville on the 18th. 2. GRAY CATBIRD at Britannia on the 19th. 3. VESPER SPARROW at Cope Drive on the 16th. 4. CHIPPING SPARROW at a feeder in Kanata on the 17th. 5. SWAMP SPARROW at Lac Beauchamp on the 18th. 6. LAPLAND LONGSPUR on Giroux/ Frank Kenny on the 18th and 2 on Akins on the 19th. 7. A COMMON GRACKLE and A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD at a feeder in Masson on the 20th. 8. 1 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD on Trail Road on the 17th. Finally the first EVENING GROSBEAK was at the feeders on the western edge of Larose forest on the 17th, rather late arrival for this species here. 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
