Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
October 10, 2019 The highlight of the week was a EURASIAN WIGEON, seen on the Ottawa River near MacSkimming (private, unless a boat is used) on the 3rd, but not reported again. The weather was characterized by seasonal temperatures and very dry conditions, with the first frost of the season on the 5th. Generally there was a sharp decline in most bird families, most evident among the WARBLERS. DUCKS, however, put on a good showing this week, particularly earlier, and SPARROWS were doing well. 23 species of DUCKS were seen this week, and 3 species of GREBE. The best showings were on the Ottawa River between Shirley’s Bay and Andrew Haydon Park, where all 3 species of SCOTER were seen, although none have been seen since the 8th. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and RUDDY DUCK (on the 5th at Shirley’s Bay) were also seen. A REDHEAD was last seen at the Almonte lagoons on the 8th. 230 DUCKS of 8 species (most AMERICAN WIGEON) were at Baie Noire on the 8th, while about 300 DUCKS of 10 species were at Shirley’s Bay on the 10th. This is far from the peak, and the next cold fronts will likely bring in more for the next several weeks. SHOREBIRDS are very much in seasonal decline, although there is no shortage of habitat. 11 species were seen in the last week. At Shirley’s Bay on the 10th there were 29 SHOREBIRDS of 4 species including 13 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS. Somewhat late was a LEAST SANDPIPER at Andrew Haydon Park on the 8-9th. SPARROWS are rather conspicuous in some numbers in many spots. 13 species were seen this week, with FOX SPARROW being new for the fall. Late sightings included a VESPER SPARROW in Barrhaven on the 7th and Kanata on the 8th. An EASTERN TOWHEE was in Munster on the 7th. A late EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE was at Shirley’s Bay on the 5th, and 3 TREE SWALLOWS were in Munster Hamlet on the 5th. This is likely it for most of the insectivores. 12 species of WARBLER were seen this week, but right now everything but YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are in thin supply. Less than 5 species are being seen per trip. In other odds and ends: 1. A SHRIKE (likely NORTHERN) was at Shirley’s bay on the 5th 2. 4 GRAY PARTRIDGE were in the fields off Robert Grant on the 3rd. 3. A SCARLET TANAGER was at Brewer Park on the 8th. 4. A WARBLING VIREO was at Britannia on the 8th. *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
