Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at [email protected]
Many tough migrants showed up this week, especially waterfowl. Canada Geese abound everywhere in flooded fields, with Cackling and Snow sprinkled in randomly. Song Sparrows returned and claimed territory, singing fiercely. Even more species are poised to move, just south of us. Greater White-fronted Goose (2) Continuing. Mississippi Riverwalk Trail, Lanark. (3) Mar 30, Roger Stevens Drive, Ottawa, near McCordick Rd. Mar 28, Donnelly near Malakoff, Ottawa. Mar 26, Carleton Place--Stonewater Bay stormwater pond, Lanark. Trumpeter Swan - Mar 29-30, Constance Bay, Ottawa. (3) Mar 27, Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields, Ottawa. Northern Shoveler - Mar 27, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. "Male; Lake Deschenes ice edge." Gadwall - Stittsville--Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa. Greater Scaup (8) Mar 26, Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa. White-winged Scoter - Mar 26, Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa. Barrow's Goldeneye (3) Strathcona Park, Ottawa. Mar 28, Almonte--Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Lanark. Mar 26, Beryl Gaffney and Maple Hill Parks, Ottawa. Red-breasted Merganser - Mar 26-29, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (6) Mar 23, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Double-crested Cormorant - All along the Rideau River and back in the usual breeding spots on the Ottawa - Rapides Deschênes and Chaudière Island, etc. Great Egret - Mar 29, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. Mar 29, Rockcliffe Park & McKay Lake, Ottawa. Mar 27, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. Golden Eagle - Mar 29, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa. Black-backed Woodpecker - Mar 24, Greenbelt pathway south of Davidson Road, Ottawa. "Female Black-backed Woodpecker on Greenbelt Pathway off Conroy, about 800 m in from Conroy (east). North side of trail." Red-bellied Woodpecker - Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Mar 27, Camp Fortune, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Tree swallow (3) 27 Mar, Riverside South stormwater ponds, Ottawa. Carolina Wren (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Mar 30, Armitage Ave, Ottawa. Hermit Thrush - Mar 27, Merivale Gardens, Ottawa. White-crowned Sparrow - Mar 19-28, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. Eastern Towhee - Mar 28, Voyageur Dr, Ottawa. This bird went unreported for 2 months, but probably overwintered in the area. Atlas note: What do species as diverse as Great Horned Owls, Feral Pigeons, Eastern Screech Owls, Common Ravens, Northern Saw-whet Owls, Barred Owls, Mourning Doves, Ruffed Grouse, and Trumpeter Swans all have in common? All could now be breeding here in Eastern Ontario and the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas needs your observations of these species, even if you only see or hear them. Your observations will provide essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will help guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. Participation is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Region Atlas Coordinator at [email protected] -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
