Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
April 26, 2018 2 significant rarities, a SNOWY EGRET and a RUFF, were seen at the same marsh near Antrim on the 25th, and both were seen again on the morning of the 26th. The RUFF was relocated this afternoon near John Shaw Road and Grants Side Road. The third highlight of the week was a EURASIAN WIGEON at Shirley’s Bay on the 25th. Winter’s reign of terror appears to have ended, with temperatures near to above seasonal, and some south winds at last. We have had the first major push of songbirds of the year. Some of the arrivals were exceedingly early. With the steady stream of birds that has entered the region, there have been so many firsts of the year (about 27) that much of this report is just enumerating the many new arrivals. Many of the arrivals arrived in multiple locations on the same day, and some have become widespread in just a few days. As of Wednesday there was a bit of ice stubbornly persisting in a few sheltered bays and ponds, including Shirley’s Bay. However, there is plenty of water to accommodate the increasing number of WATERBIRDS. 10 species of PUDDLE DUCKS and 11 other species of DUCK, as well as 3 species of GREBE were seen in the region this week. More important, the numbers are starting to build up. There were nearly 1000 birds of 17 species were at Shirley’s Bay on the 25th, about 60% being LESSER SCAUP and RING-NECKED DUCK. A CANVASBACK was seen near Huntmar on the 21st, and there was one at Dick Bell Park on the 26th. The first RUDDY DUCK was at the Moodie Drive Ponds on the 19th. A late GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was flying over Moore farm in Gatineau on the 22nd. The first BROAD-WINGED HAWK was at Richmond on the 21st. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on Berry’s Sideroad on the 21st. GULLS are declining for the season. At Trail Road, GLAUCOUS GULL was last seen on the 19th, and ICELAND GULL on the 21st. SPOTTED SANDPIPER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were seen at Petrie Island on the 23 rd. 3 more species of SWALLOW have arrived: PURPLE MARTIN at Andrew Haydon on the 23rd, BANK SWALLOW in Navan on the 24th, and CLIFF SWALLOW at Shirley’s Bay on the 25th. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was at Constance Bay on the 21st. In other news, the following have been new for the year: · HERMIT THRUSH near Carlingwood on the 21st. · BROWN THRASHER at the Conroy Pit on the 24th. · HOUSE WREN at Rockcliffe Airport on the 23rd. · MARSH WREN at Britannia on the 24th. · RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET on Dolman Ridge Road on the 22nd. · A BLUE-HEADED VIREO in Val-des-Monts on the 24th. The WARBLER list for the year is now at 7 with these new ones: · PINE WARBLER at Britannia on the 22nd, · YELLOW WARBLER in Blossom Park on the 25th. · PALM WARBLER at Deschênes on the 23rd. · A BLACKAND WHITE WARBLER in Gatineau on the 23rd. · AMERICAN REDSTART at the Bill Mason Centre on the 23rd. · NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at Pine Grove Trail on the 25th. Next, the SPARROWS: · EASTERN TOWHEE on Dolman Ridge Road on the 21st. · VESPER SPARROW on Trail Road on the 21st · SAVANNAH SPARROW at the Carp River Watershed reclamation area on the 22nd The most unusual of the early arrivals was: · BALTIMORE ORIOLE at a feeder on the 23rd in the Leslie park area of Ottawa Finally, in the odds and ends department: · A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER in Chelsea on the 24th. · A RED CROSSBILL at Constance Bay on the 21st. · A CAROLINA WREN in the Val Tetreau area of Gatineau on the 20th · A late NORTHERN SHRIKE in Dunrobin on the21st. · A late SNOW BUNTING in Chelsea on the 19th. 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. *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. The OFNC will provided DND 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, which is sent by to DND in the spring and updated occasionally. 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. 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
