Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
July 19, 2018 The highlight this week was a WHIMBREL, seen briefly below the Deschênes rapids on the evening on the 14th. Heat and dryness continued, and birder activity is low, but there are interesting developments on the SHOREBIRD front. Shirley’s Bay now has a lot of excellent SHOREBIRD habitat. While there have been no reports from along the river west of Britannia, it is likely getting good there too. At Shirley’s Bay, over 90% of the birds are LESSER YELLOWLEGS and KILLDEER, but this week 8 other species have been seen (but not all at the same time). WILSON’S PHALAROPE, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER and an early PECTORAL SANDPIPER were the most interesting. There is developing habitat west of the causeway to Petrie Island, but so far just 4 species have been seen including SOLITARY SANDPIPER. This is now a good time to start looking for SHOREBIRDS and suitable habitat, although it is still rather early in the season. Other areas with SHOREBIRDS this week have included: 1. Only the nesting species at Almonte on the 15th. 2. 3 species including 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS in Russell on the 15th. 3. 20 birds of 4 species in Winchester on the 12th. A few other notable sightings included: 1. 2 lingering SNOW GEESE were at Winchester on the 12th. 2. A LESSER SCAUP was at Shirley’s Bay on the 17th. 3. 3 SANDHILL CRANES have been on a field south of Carp for nearly the last week. 4. 1 LEAST BITTERN was at Baie McLaurin this week, and 2 were at Petrie Island on the 16th. 1 is also seen sometimes at Shirley’s Bay. 5. Up to 3 CASPIAN TERNS have been between Shirley’s Bay and Deschênes as late as the 17th. 6. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was in Carp on the 17-18th. 7. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continues at the Moodie Drive ponds as of the 13th. 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. 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. The OFNC has 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 that the OFNC put you on the access list. This list has already been sent to DND this spring and will be updated occasionally. To get on the next access list, please contact members...@ofnc.ca. 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
