Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
July 11, 2019 The only highlight were two modest ones: A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD on McCordick Road was quite conspicuous and vocal at times, and a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was at Britannia on the 9th. It was a fairly quiet week, birdwise. Very warm to hot conditions prevailed most of the week and it is actually getting a bit on the dry side. Ottawa River water levels have dropped by another 20-30 cm in the last week. Rideau River water levels are also getting low. As expected, there is still just a trickle of SHOREBIRDS. On the 9th there was modest habitat at Embrun with 15 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. There was a bit of habitat at St. Albert but few birds. A female RUDDY DUCK there was of interest. The first trips to the Shirley’s Bay Dike have produced a good assortment of birds including a CASPIAN TERN there on the 9th. There were 5 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 1 LEAST SANDPIPER at on the 10th but unfortunately very little SHOREBIRD habitat. A LEAST BITTERN was at Stony Swamp on the 7th. The marshes on the Ottawa River, such as Marais aux Grenouillettes and Petrie Island are generally giving a good variety of the regular birds but not that much else yet. Likewise, heavily forested areas are giving a good variety of the expected birds. Finally, 2 SEDGE WRENS were on Chemin Cook in Gatineau on the 7th, and one was on Rifle Road on the 8th. *Reminder regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway:* DND has advised extra caution as the causeway is in rough shape. They have also requested that if any garbage can be removed it would be appreciated. To access this site, you must be on the access list, and 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 [email protected]. 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 [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
