Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
September 26, 2019 The highlight of the week was not rare but was a first for the year: up to 5 NELSON’S SPARROWS at the mouth of Constance Creek on the 25th. Warm weather early in the week was followed by a weather change and rain, but so far it has mostly resulted in a decline of migrants. There was a significant movement of THRUSHES on the night of the 23-24th. WATERBIRD number and variety have increased modestly. The Almonte Lagoons had GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, as well as TRUMPETER SWANS and REDHEAD. CACKLING GEESE have been at the Richmond CA. The first of the fall RED-THROATED LOON was at Shirley’s bay on the 23rd-24th. SHOREBIRDS have been in short supply; almost certainly we are past the peak although we did have 16 species here in the last week. DUNLINS, however, have been seen in a few spots this week, including Andrew Haydon Park where there were only 3 species of SHOREBIRD. Constance Bay did have 41 birds of 6 species on the 25th. Shirley’s bay had modest numbers as well including a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER on the 23rd and a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER on the 23-24th. Most FLYCATCHERS have departed. A few notable late sightings have been: 1. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER in Carleton Place on the 19th. 2. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATHCER in Pakenham on the 23rd. 3. 3 BARN SWALLOWS at Andrew Haydon Park on the 23rd. A few other late sightings included: 1. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was at Val-des-Monts on the 25th. 2. 2 EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILLS in the Huntmar area on the 20th. 3. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at Constance Bay on the 20th. 4. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD in Almonte on the 21st and in the Pontiac area on the 24th. 5. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO in the Dunrobin area on the 20th. 6. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO on the 21st at Britannia and in the Alta Vista area on the 22nd. A CAROLINA WREN is continuing at Petrie Island on the 25th, and there was an early sighting of LAPLAND LONGSPUR at Constance Bay on the 23rd. Finally, WARBLERS are still in reasonable supply with 23 species of WARBLER seen in the region this week. However, we are very much past the peak now, with typically less than 10 species seen per trip even in the better areas. The next week will likely be last for seeing bigger numbers and variety. There have been a few scattered sightings of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, which may not have peaked yet. Some later sightings included CANADA WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. *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 was sent to DND this spring and will be updated occasionally. To get on the next access list, please contact members...@ofnc.ca. 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 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
