[Ontbirds] Ottawa/ Gatineau summary for the week ending September 8, 2016
Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca September 8, 2016 The highlight of the week was a CONNECTICUT WARBLER found at Britannia on the 3rd. Unfortunately, and predictably, this elusive bird was not relocated. Weather was again mostly above seasonal temperatures with limited rain. A wind shift may have contributed to an excellent variety and number of birds, especially WARBLERS, on the 3rd, but this seemed to drop steadily through the week with persistent southerly winds. Again this week, WATERBIRDS and SHOREBIRDS were in limited supply, the latter despite a reasonable amount of habitat. Some types of birds, most notably SWALLOWS, are rapidly and quietly disappearing. There is a reasonable variety of mostly PUDDLE DUCKS in places like Shirley’s Bay, the Moodie Drive ponds, and the inland lagoons, but nothing that unusual. There have been a few sightings of early SNOW GEESE, but that is it. SHOREBIRDS were in reasonable numbers only at Shirley’s Bay, where there were 70 birds of 11 species on the 7th, including STILT SANDPIPER, SANDERLING and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. Other notable sightings: 1. The first AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER of the season was in Carp on the 5th. 2. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was at Embrun on the 5th. 3. RUDDY TURNSTONE was at parc Brébeuf on the 5th. 4. BAIRD’S and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were at Embrun on the 6th. Altogether there were 2- species of SHOREBIRD in the region this week. SWALLOWS are rapidly disappearing. The last was a BARN SWALLOW in the west end on the 3rd. The latest sighting of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was in Britannia on the 4th, and there were regular sightings of YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. All 5 VIREOS were seen, notably YELLOW-THROATED VIREO in Larose Forest and near the Champlain Street Marsh in Orleans. 25 species of WARBLER were seen this week. The best day was the 3rd, when nearly 20 species were seen in Britannia, but numbers and variety dwindled through the rest of the week. A few other notable sightings: 1. 5 AMERICAN PIPIT on Upper Dwyer Hill Road on the 5th. 2. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO IN Britannia on the 1st. 3. INDIGO BUNTING IN Russell on the 3rd. 4. EASTERN TOWHEE in Richmond on the 3rd. Finally, there was a bit of FINCH activity. RED CROSSBILL were heard in Larose Forest on the 5th and on Greenbelt Trail 10 on the 6th. An EVENING GROSBEAK was in Constance Bay on the 3rd, and there were 2 sightings of PINE SISKIN. Note re: Access to the Shirley’s Bay causeway. The OFNC has a signed agreement with DND and PWGS that gives OFNC members limited access to this important birding area. You must call the Range Control Office (613-991-5740) before entering DND property, and you will be informed how far down the causeway you may go. For your safety, please respect their instructions, as the shooting patterns vary from day to day. The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to sighti...@ofnc.ca for the purpose of maintaining local records. 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. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Ottawa/ Gatineau-recent sightings to October 27, 2016
Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca The bird of the week was a possible BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD at Constance Bay on the 24th to the 27th. Mostly it was the expected birds that were seen with a few interesting lingerers . Weather turned sharply cooler this week, with below seasonal temperatures and even a bit of snow. The weekend was mostly rainy and very windy, which considerably hampered birding activity. WATERBIRDS are still around in considerably numbers. Shirley’s Bay and Plaisance continue to be the best places in the region. Plaisance had about 300 PUDDLE DUCKS of 6 species, with AMERICAN WIGEON and NORTHERN SHOVELER being the most common. Shirley’s bay had close to 1000 LESSER SCAUP and over 100 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Less common were all three SCOTERS, LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-THROATED LOON (sometimes) and AMERICAN COOT (sometimes). There are still a few sightings of BLUE-WINGED TEAL here and there. A special note that, although just outside the area, up to 60,000 SNOW GEESE have been seen east of Casselman. An AMERICAN BITTERN at Plaisance on the 24th was late, as were A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON at Britannia on the 25th. GREAT EGRETS were at Shirley’s bay until the 23rd. SHOREBIRDS were in their usual places like Almonte and Shirley’s bay but only about 6 species, all expected, were seen this week. SANDHILL CRANES are still around in numbers in the Navan/ Frank Kenny area. It was a good week for HAWKS when the howling winds and rain let up. GOLDEN EAGLES were seen a number of times in the Dunrobin area, and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was at Shirley’s Bay on the 25th. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS are becoming more regular. A late OSPREY was at Pinhey’s Point on the 23rd. 12 GRAY PARTIDGE wee seen in Goulbourn on the 23rd. This flock is hard to find but likely will be around all winter. A HOUSE WREN at Shirley’s bay on the 23rd was quite late. Interesting but not exceptional were CAROLINA WRENS in Carlington and Alta Vista. Likewise, 6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in Richmond were a bit late but not exceptional. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are still around but in small numbers. SNOW BUNTING numbers are building up. PINE SISKIN were in Gatineau on the 26th, 12 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were at Britannia on the 23rd, while EVENING GROSBEAK were seen in Pakenham (a flock of 13) and 1 in Constance Bay on the 26th. NOTE RE: ACCESS TO THE SHIRLEY’S BAY CAUSEWAY. The OFNC has a signed agreement with DND and PWGSC that gives OFNC members limited access to this important birding area. You must call the Range Control Office (613-991-5740) before entering DND property, and you will be informed how far down the causeway you may go. For your safety, please respect their instructions, as the shooting patterns vary from day to day. The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to sighti...@ofnc.ca for the purpose of maintaining local records. 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
[Ontbirds] Ottawa/ Gatineau-recent sightings to November 10, 2016
Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at gkzbitn...@gmail.com or sighti...@ofnc.ca Recent sightings to November 10, 2016 There have been a few more sightings of the PINK-FOOTED GOOSE among the 1000s of SNOW GEESE near the Laflèche landfill east of Casselman, most recently on the 7th. A most unusual lingerer was a likely YELLOW WARBLER at Breckenridge on the 4th. Generally there was little change to the bird population this week. There was minimal precipitation and temperatures generally above seasonal. The regular winter birds were fairly widespread, water was open, and a few interesting lingerers were about. There are still lots of WATERBIRDS around, mostly on the Ottawa River as usual, with LESSER SCAUP and COMMON GOLDENEYE being the most abundant. On the 5th at Shirley’s Bay there were over 1000 DIVING DUCKS of 10 species and 200 PUDDLE DUCKS of 8 species. All three SCOTERS and LONG-TAILED DUCK were included in the mix from time to time. Just at the edge of the 50K circle, on the Madawaska Head Pond near Arnprior, an unusually large number (up to 12) of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were present on the 8-10th. A singleton of this species was at Andrew Haydon Park on the 9th. A sign of winter is the arrival this week of BARROW’S GOLDENEYE along the Ottawa River. There were 5 around, an unusually high number for the season. One was in Russell on the 6th. A somewhat late PIED-BILLED GREBE was at Shirley’s Bay on the 5th, as was a RED-THROATED LOON on the 8th. A late BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON continued at Andrew Haydon park until the 4th. SHOREBIRDS are disappearing quickly; only about 5 species were seen this week. A PURPLE SANDPIPER was at Britannia Pier on the 4th. Some late ones were a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER at the Moodie Drive Quarry as late as the 8th, a LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Constance Bay on the 9th, and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER at Britannia on the 5th. Among the raptors, there was a GOLDEN EAGLE on Kerwin road on the 4th and one at Shirley’s bay on the 7th. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was in Russell on the 6th. Among the SONGBIRDS, mostly it was the lingering birds that were of interest: 1. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT continued at Britannia Pier as late until the 7th., and one was also at Breckenridge on the 4th. 2. A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK continued in Gatineau at least until the 7th. 3. 2 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were at Shirleys Bay on the 5th. 4. A CAROLINA WREN was in Gatineau on the 8th. 5. SWAMP SPARROW was on Kerwin Road on the 5th. 6. There were at least 4 sightings of FOX SPARROW at various places, all at feeders. 7. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and RUSTY BLACKBIRD were at the Hilda Road feeders on the 8th. 8. A CHIPPING SPARROW was at Parc Brébeuf on the 6th. Finally, there were a few scattered sightings of EVENING GROSBEAK and a single sighting of RED CROSSBILL on Kerwin Road on the 4th. The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to sighti...@ofnc.ca for the purpose of maintaining local records. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations. 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
[Ontbirds] Ottawa/ Gatineau-recent sightings to November 3, 2106
Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca November 3, 2016 The best bird of the week was seen just outside the region, a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE at the Laflèche landfill east of Casselman on the 31st in a flock of about 60,000 SNOW GEESE. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED and ROSS’S GOOSE was also seen in the flock. Last week’s HUMMINGBIRD in Constance Bay appears to be a lingering RUBY-THROATED, and was unfortunately last seen on the 29th. The first PURPLE SANDPIPER of the year was seen at Britannia Pier (and across the Ottawa River) on the 30th. A TUFTED TITMOUSE in Winchester on the 1st was notable among the SONGBIRDS. It was quite a cool week early but near to above normal temperatures later, with some precipitation but no weather that was extreme enough to have much effect on bird movement. Generally the variety of birds was as expected: plenty of WATERBIRDS, few SONGBIRDS, but as there was no major freezing and no sustained snow cover, most lingering birds were able to survive. WATERBIRDS were in reasonable supply mostly along the Ottawa River, with Shirley’as Bay and Plaisance again being the best spots, but there were no massive concentrations anywhere. All three SCOTERS, LONG-TAILED DUCK and RED-THROATED LOON were among the less common seen. Up to 3 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS (late) were at Andrew Haydon Park as late as the 2nd . SHOREBIRDS, as expected, were limited to small numbers of a few species. 18 DUNLIN were at Embrun on the 31st . Late WILSON’S SNIPE and LESSER YELLOWLEGS on the 1st at Shirley’s Bay and LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Constance Bay were notable but not exceptional. A GOLDEN EAGLE was near Luskville on the 30th and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was at Beryl Gaffney park on the 2nd. Late EASTERN BLUEBIRD were at multiple locations: Chemin River west of Quyon on the 31st, the Gatineau Airport on the 29th and on Berry Side Road on the 1st. There is a continuing CAROLINA WREN in Carlington as late as the 1st. WARBLERS have nearly disappeared. There have been scattered sightings of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER as recently as the 3rd. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT at Britannia Pier as late as the 2nd is late, as is one on the 3rd in Stoney Swamp. Very small numbers of SONG and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS remain here and there. Somewhat late were SWAMP SPARROW at Andrew Haydon on the 30th, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW AT Shirley’s Bay on the 2nd, and FOX SPARROW at Deschênes on the 1st and Richmond on the 2nd. A late ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was near Munster on the 29th. Finally, there have been a few interesting FINCH SIGHTINGS. Up to 8 EVENING GROSBEAKS were in Larose Forest (west) on the 31st - 3rd, Constance Bay on the 1st and Wakefield on the 3rd. RED CROSSBILL was on Greenland Road on the 30th and 5 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL were at Andrew Haydon on the 30th. The first recent sighting of PINE GROSBEAK (4) was in Pakenham on the 3rd. NOTE RE: ACCESS TO THE SHIRLEY’S BAY CAUSEWAY. The OFNC has a signed agreement with DND and PWGSC that gives OFNC members limited access to this important birding area. You must call the Range Control Office (613-991-5740) before entering DND property, and you will be informed how far down the causeway you may go. For your safety, please respect their instructions, as this is near a rifle range and the shooting patterns vary from day to day. The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to sighti...@ofnc.ca for the purpose of maintaining local records. 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
[Ontbirds] Laughing gull, Ottawa on Cambrian at Jock river
Adult plumaged Laughing Gull south of Cambrian just east of the Jock River Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Ottawa/ Gatineau-recent sightings to July 13, 2017-draft
Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca July 13, 2017 There were no real highlights this week, as last week. Weather was generally seasonal, and so was the birding, which remained somewhat dull. Among the WATERBIRDS, only the common/ regular nesters are around. River levels on the Ottawa River are still too high for shorebirds, not that there are many around now, aside from the occasional LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Some sightings of less common/ more local species include: LESSER and GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULLS at the Moodie Drive Ponds on the 8th.YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO continues on Thomas Dolan.SEDGE WREN in a grassy area east of Champlain street-an area that has not reported them recently. It has also been at the Nortel marsh on the 9th.CASPIAN TERNS and BONAPARTE'S GULLS have been at Shirley's Bay.LEAST BITTERN at Baie McLaurin on the 11th. As last week, birders’ best bet is going to larger tracts of woods/ fields, especially north of Ottawa/ Gatineau. The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to sighti...@ofnc.ca for the purpose of maintaining local records. 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
[Ontbirds] Ottawa-Gatineau-recent sightings to March 8, 2018
Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club Sightings in the Ottawa-Gatineau area (50Km radius from the Parliament buildings) Week ending March 8, 2018 sighti...@ofnc.ca Compiled by Gregory Zbitnew NOTE: Concerning the RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS in Constance Bay, we have been informed that the previously reported trail that runs off Ritchie Ave just behind the houses along Bayview Dr. is on private property. That trail is now posted with No Trespassing signs. Please respect the OFNC birding code of ethics and stay on public roads. It's up to you to help promote respect toward wildlife, the environment, and other people. It was another interesting week in the region. Mild weather most of the week resulted in more new arrivals. The highlight was 2 ROSS’S GEESE on the Carp River flood plain on the 2nd, which unfortunately did not stick around, along with up to 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE which stayed until the 5th. 4 of this latter species were at Deschenes on the 7th. Among the WATERBIRDS, CACKLING GEESE have been seen in small numbers here and there, while the first RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was at Britannia on the 3rd. TURKEY VULTURES have been seen in a number of spots. There were GOLDEN EAGLES on Greenland Road, Eardley-Masham Road and in Russell this week. Likely some of these are migrants. GULL numbers are picking up a bit, including a few sightings of the soon to be common RING-BILLED GULLS. Other notable sightings include: 1. EASTERN BLUEBIRD in Dunrobin on the 4th. 2. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW continuing in Luskville on the 4th. 3. 1 GRAY PARTRIDGE on Cope Drive on the 7th. 4. RED CROSSBILLS on Eardley-Masham Road on the 2nd, and in Chelsea on the 7th. 5. 1 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL on Eardley-Masham Road on the 2nd, and 2 in Morewood Bog on the 6th. Thanks to everyone who submitted bird observations. We encourage everyone to use eBird for the benefit of the entire Birding Community. Good birding Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Ottawa-Gatineau-recent sightings to March 1, 2018.
Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club Sightings in the Ottawa-Gatineau area (50Km radius from the Parliament buildings) Week ending March 1, 2018 sighti...@ofnc.ca Compiled by Gregory Zbitnew It was a very interesting week in the region. Persistent and unusually mild weather resulted in many early arrivals. In that sense, the whole week was a highlight. Among the WATERBIRDS, SNOW GOOSE, most recently at Britannia on the first, and CACKLING GOOSE, most recently at the Moodie Drive ponds on the 28th, were the first of the season. 2 TRUMPETER SWANS were at Carleton Place on the 23, and an unidentified SWAN, probably a TRUMPETER, was at the Moodie Drive ponds on the 1st. A BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was at Deschenes on the 26th. Other firsts of the season include: 1. NORTHERN HARRIER at Burnt Lands Provincial Park on the 28th. 2. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK in Dunrobin on the 22nd. 3. Multiple sightings of TURKEY VULTURE starting on the 27th. 4. EASTERN BLUEBIRD near Almonte on the 27th. 5. RUSTY BLACKBIRD in Kanata on the 26th and in Russell on the 27th. Other interesting sightings included: 1. GOLDEN EAGLE on Greenland Road on the 27th and on Chemin Therrien on the 24th. 2. BELTED KINGFISHER in Dunrobin on the 25th. 3. The RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue in Constance Bay as of the 1st. 4. NORTHERN FLICKERS in Fitzroy PP on the 25th . 5. BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER north of Kemptville on the 23rd. 6. LAPLAND LONGSPUR in Luskville on the 24th. 7. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES are now more or less widespread in small numbers.8. 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS at Lac Meech on the 23rd. Thanks to everyone who submitted bird observations. We encourage everyone to use eBird for the benefit of the entire Birding Community. Good birding Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. ___ 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
