Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
February 28, 2019 The 6 GRAY PARTRIDGE were last seen on the 27th near Hazeldean Road southwest of the Carp River. Aside from that, birding continues to be about as slow as it gets and there have been few reports this week. Although relatively dry most of the week, there was freezing rain and high winds on the 24th, and it has turned cold with the coldest temperatures of the month on the 27th. Forecasts show no sign of spring at least for the next week. An adult male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was in Carleton Place on the 23rd, and a first winter male of the same species was near the Champlain Bridge on the 23rd as well. Some lingering WATERBIRDS may still be of interest: 1. 4 HOODED MERGANSERS were at Val des Monts on the 27th, and one was at Billings Bridge on the 26th. 2. 2 WOOD DUCKS were still at Billings Bridge on the 26th, should anyone still be looking. 3. A NORTHERN PINTAIL was at Billings Bridge on the 23rd. A BELTED KINGFISHER was on Maritime Way on the 24th, after an absence of more than a month. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was in Alta Vista on the 25th. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, scarce this winter, was at the Gatineau Airport on the 27th. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was in Masson on the 23rd. NORTHERN SHRIKE is not regular anywhere, but it does show up every week or so at the Dewberry trail feeder. EVENING GROSBEAKS have disappeared from many spots, but some dependable ones continue at a few feeders: up to 25 at Relais Healey in Gatineau Park, and about 40 at a feeder near Hammond. This feeder is hosting about 70 COMMON REDPOLLS, but the only recent sighting of HOARY REDPOLL was in Orleans on the 25th. Finally, a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was coming to a feeder in Russell on the 26th. 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
