Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
August 30, 2018 The highlight this week was a GOLDEN EAGLE sighting at Petrie Island on the 23rd, one of very few summer records in the province. A lesser highlight was a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER at Britannia on the 30th. Other than that there was a steady but not a heavy stream of migrants. With any luck it will stay the same or improve in the next week. The OFNC seedathon was on the 26th. Preliminary results indicated 7 participants and a collective tally of 123 species. Of interest is that there were at least 140 species present that day in the 50K. Temperatures were generally above seasonal with scattered rain but the winds were not particularly favourable to any heavy migration or fallouts. A wind shift on Thursday didn’t produce anything special either, as was hoped. Noticeable this week were the decline of some species like SWALLOWS. A few early/ lingering WATERBIRDS were of interest. A SNOW GOOSE was in Winchester on the 26th. Also on the 26th were BUFFLEHEAD and LESSER SCAUP at Embrun, and another LESSER SCAUP at Andrew Haydon Park east on the 26th. A RED-NECKED GREBE was at Lac McGregor on the 29th. A LEAST BITTERN at Constance Creek on the 29th is getting late for this species. For SHOREBIRDS, on the 26th Constance Bay had a RUDDY TURNSTONE, still there on the 29th, and Andrew Haydon Park West had a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER on and off at least until the 26th. A SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER has been in Masson for a few days as late as the 28th. Up to 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS WERE at Embrun on the 26-27th. A BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was in Embrun on the 25-26th, and up to 3 have been at Andrew Haydon Park most of the week, with one still at the east end as of the 30th. 5 were at Constance Bay on the 29 th. Close to 100 birds have been at Embrun with sometimes good variety, but with the exception noted above they have been common. There is good habitat and 20 birds or so at the Crysler Dam, but so far only rather common species were seen. Winchester had good habitat but but few birds on the 26th. The Petrie Island causeway has poor habitat. Shirley’s bay and the river in general has lately been quite poor due to unfavourable water levels. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was at Constance Bay on the 26th, and near Dunrobin on the 28th. 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were at Constance Bay on the 29th. There have been a few sightings each of YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Brewer park, Fletcher Wildlife garden and Rockcliffe Airport), and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (one in Orleans and a few in Dunrobin/Constance Bay). A CAROLINA WREN persists in Lac McGregor on the 27th, and a SEDGE WREN was on Torbolton Ridge Road on the 28th. Britannia is still the best spot for WARBLERS. The huge numbers of CAPE MAY WARBLERS continue, and trips there are getting 10+ species of WARBLER. In the region, 22 WARBLERS were seen this week. In FINCH and SPARROW news, an EVENING GROSBEAK was at the Fletcher Wildlife garden on the 23rd and Britannia on the 25th. 2 RED CROSSBILLS were flying over a golf course in Stittsville on the 25th. Somewhat early DARK-EYED JUNCOS were on Sparks St. on the 24th and at Burnt lands Provincial Park on the 28th. 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 was updated recently. 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
