Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
September 13, 2018 The highlight of the week was a CANVASBACK found in Baie Noire on the 10th but not relocated. There was a big change in the weather this week, with the coolest temperatures of the season but only modest amounts of rainfall. Warmth returned on the 12th. There were noticeable shifts in the bird population, primarily a slight rise in WATERBIRDS, an increase of SPARROWS, and a decrease of FLYCATCHERS. WARBLERS have been steady, but the mix is changing. SHOREBIRDS have not been particularly plentiful. We are in the very early stages of WATERFOWL migration. About 15 LESSER SCAUP were at Shirley’s Bay on the 12th, the tiny beginning of the huge fall rafts. Baie Noire had about 150 AMERICAN WIGEON and a few LESSER SCAUP, also the beginning of the fall build up. A few of the more notable early sightings included: 1. A SNOW GOOSE in Dunrobin on the 9th. 2. 2 REDHEAD at Shirley’s Bay on the 8th. 3. 2 GREATER SCAUP at Dick Bell Park on the 7th. 4. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER at Shirley’s bay on the 7th, and 2 were there on the 8th. 5. 2 RED-NECKED GREBES also at Shirley’s Bay on the 7th. Another was at Britannia on the 11-12th. SHOREBIRDS have been problematic this week. The main problem was continued high water levels on the Ottawa River. Shirley’s Bay has been quite poor, with no habitat on the 12th. Embrun has been the best but there have not been a lot of birds. There were 30 birds of 8 species there on the 9th, including a RUDDY TURNSTONE and 4 BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS. 6 species were there on the 11th including a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. Emerald meadows had a STILT SANDPIPER on the 10-12th, with about 20 birds of up to 6 other species there as well. 2 Birds of 2 common species were at Almonte on the 12th, and a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was on Nolan Road on the 12th. Among the FLYCATCHERS, there was an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER at Bell Arena on the 11th, and another was at Petrie Island on the 12th. An EASTERN KINGBIRD in Kanata on the 13th is getting late. There are still some sizeable SWALLOW flocks where there are insect concentrations, most notably there were 200 TREE SWALLOWS in Russell on the 12th. 2 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were at Britannia on the 12th. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was at Chelsea on the 9th, and one was at Shirley’s bay on the same day. 3 GRAY PARTRIDGE were in Goulbourn on the 8th. A YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was at Britannia on the 7th. A CAROLINA WREN at Lac McGregor on the 11th, and another was at Britannia on the 13th. Both PHILADELPHIA and BLUE-HEADED VIREOS are becoming more common. WARBLER supply has been good. Still 10-15 species can be expected in the better migrant traps. A few species, like NORTHERN PARULA, PALM and BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, were more common this week. 24 were seen in the region, including an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER at Britannia on the 12th. Finally, a few signs of fall: 1. The first RUSTY BLACKBIRD of the season was at Shirley’s bay on the 7th. 2. 14 PINE SISKINS were at Lac McGregor on the 11th. 3. An EVENING GROSBEAK was at Chelsea on the 9th. 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 [email protected]. 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
