Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
March 15, 2018 Highlights were rather limited this week. A female BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was fairly cooperative near Strathcona Park from the 11-14th, and 2 TRUMPETER SWANS were on the Rideau River near Rideau River Provincial Park on the 15th . Unfortunately the weather took a nosedive this week, with almost continuous snow and below seasonal temperatures. As a result, spring migration has essentially halted, and it will be at least a week before things return to normal. Among the WATERBIRDS, the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was last seen near Carp on the 8th, and the one in Gatineau was seen as late as the 11th, and a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was north of Strathcona Park on the 13th. CANADA GEESE are around in singles to hundreds in many places, and the winter’s lingering DUCKS (WOOD DUCK and NORTHERN PINTAIL) continue in Billings Bridge. RING-BILLED GULLS are now in modest numbers everywhere. 2 GOLDEN EAGLES were seen on Chemin Therien on the 10th, and one was in Winchester on the same day. 2 GRAY PARTRIDGE were still in Kanata on the 8th. 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were among over 1000 SNOW BUNTINGS near Marionville on the 10th. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was at a feeder off McCordick Road on the 12th. 6 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were at lac Philippe on the 11th, and 1 was off Conroy on the 11th. 2 RED CROSSBILLS were in Gatineau Park (Trail 50) on the 14th, and PINE SISKINS are still around in good numbers. On the 15th, both species of CROSSBILL were seen on the Eardley-Masham Road. An EVENING GROSBEAK was in Forest Park west of Larose Forest 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 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
