Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
February 8, 2018 A most unusual sighting highlighted the week. Up to 3 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, very rare in the winter, were in Constance Bay. They were first seen on the 31st and last seen on the 6th. Likely they will stick around all winter, but they were not always found when searched for. A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER flew across Hwy 417 near Carp on the 8th, but this is unlikely to be relocated easily. Typical winter weather prevailed this week. While generally it has been a quiet week, there are still a few less common birds around, as well as more typical winter birds to chase, if you have not seen them yet. Among the WATERBIRDS, CANADA GOOSE, NORTHERN PINTAIL and WOOD DUCKS continue at Billings Bridge. The BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was seen again as late as the 6th at Deschenes, but it has been tough to find. This bird was seen in Parc Moussette on the 3rd along with 200 COMMON GOLDENEYE (a rather large number), HOODED MERGANSER and 2 BUFFLEHEAD. So don’t give up if you don’t see the bird on one stretch of the river. 6 HOODED MERGANSERS were near Lac McGregor on the 5th. 2 GOLDEN EAGLES are still fairly regular on the Eardley-Masham Road at the base of the escarpment. They were last seen on the 5th. A GOLDEN EAGLE was near Dunrobin on the 3rd. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was on Eardley Masham road on the 3rd, and another was in Stony Swamp on the 6th. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was at a feeder in Cantley on the 7th. 9 GRAY PARTRIDGE were seen on the Reveler Recreational trails near Cannamore on the 1st, while the ones in Kanata continue as of the 5th. 21 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were in Carp on the 4th. A number of species continue to linger at feeders. 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and a COMMON GRACKLE continue at a feeder in Gatineau as of the 5th. A SONG SPARROW continues at a feeder in Gatineau as well. Another was on Dovercourt on the 3rd. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was at the Mer Blue Bog on the 2nd. The biggest feeder surprise was a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW in Luskville from the 4th to at least the 8th. WINTER FINCHES are still a bit hit-or-miss. On the 3rd, the Eardley-Masham Road had 2 PINE GROSBEAKS, several WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS as well as the usual RED CROSSBILLS and PINE SISKINS. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen there again on the 8th, but they have been less regular. 4 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen on the Pine Grove trail on the 7th. RED CROSSBILLS and PINE SISKINS have been near Lac McGregor. WINTER FINCHES are likely elsewhere in the north but very few people have been in these areas recently. 3 COMMON REDPOLLS were in Gatineau Park (Relais Healey) on the 4th, but this has been the only sighting this week. 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
