Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
August 9, 2018 The highlight of the week was an EARED GREBE, seen on the 7th from Shirley’s Bay going downriver. Unfortunately it was not relocated. Weather continued with above seasonal temperatures and continued damp conditions, which did nothing to improve the SHOREBIRD situation. Some spots, though, had a good variety of migrant SONGBIRDS, although song activity is now minimal. CASPIAN TERNS are around in modest numbers from Shirley’s Bay to Gatineau, and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the Moodie Drive ponds on the 4th. The best spot for SHOREBIRDS is Embrun with nearly 100 birds of 7 species on the 7th, mostly LESSER YELLOWLEGS but including a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. The PEEP flock of a few days earlier has cleared out. About 25 birds of 7 species were at Constance Bay (2 different spots) on the 7th, including a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER and SANDERLING. This spot is worth checking if the water levels ever drop. On the 8th Shirley’s Bay had 7 birds of 3 species, but there were quite a few more a few days earlier. We are still waiting for good water levels and the return of some of the numbers of a few weeks ago. In Gatineau, A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was at Deschênes on the 3rd and a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was at Parc Brébeuf on the 3rd. A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was among a few other common species north of Russell on the 7th, and on the 5th there were 27 birds of 4 species in Russell, all common. There were no SHOREBIRDS at St. Albert or Crysler on the 7th, but 18 birds of 5 species at the Crysler Waterfall on the 4th. At Petrie Island on the 8th there were small number of common species, with very little habitat. There were at times astounding numbers of CAPE MAY WARBLERS in Britannia, up to 50, have been seen, enjoying the delicious bounty of Chironomids (a fancy name for a kind of midge). The numbers were much lower on the 9th. Up to 12 species on WARBLER have been seen there on trips, and at times the Shirley’s Bay woods have variety, but there is still very little migrant variety elsewhere. In other odds and ends: 1. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was at Britannia on the 8th. 2. 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were in Constance Bay on the 2nd. 3. A YELLOW-THROATED VIREO at Constance Bay on 7th. 4. An EVENING GROSBEAK was in Parkway Park on the 6th. 5. 2 SEDGE WRENS were in the Richmond fen on the 5th. 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 members...@ofnc.ca. 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
