Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
October 18, 2018 A probable NORTHERN GANNET was seen at Britannia on the 12th, but unfortunately was not found again/confirmed. However, this is the time of year when such rarities have been seen. So keep checking the Ottawa river, especially on the days with miserable weather. In more positive news, the RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was seen again at Shirley’s bay on the 13th, and has been seen often, but not always, until the 16th. Another was at baie Noire on the 12th. There were some pleasant days but generally it tended to cool and windy, with frost, a bit of snow and the coldest day of the season so far. So the birding was that of a typical mid-fall. That is, there were lots of DUCKS and SPARROWS are holding steady. Most of the SONGBIRDS that are left are few in number if not actually rare. The first RED-THROATED LOON of the season was at Britannia on the 13th and one was at Shirley’s Bay on the 17th. The main concentration of WATERBIRDS, as usual, is from Andrew Haydon Park to Shirley’s bay. Recent visits to Shirley’s Bay have observed 700-900 DUCKS of up to 17 species, but they are sometimes hard to see depending on the winds and other variables. All 3 species of SCOTER and LONG-TAILED DUCK are fairly regular now. Both HORNED and RED-NECKED GREBES are also seen. By contrast, the most recent visit to baie Noire on the 12th had only about 150 DUCKS of 6 species. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was at the Bruce Pit on the 14th. Many small flocks of BRANT are being seen around Andrew Haydon Park. Some of them land on the lawns and ponds there and are extremely photogenic. About 8 species of SHOREBIRDS have been seen this week, but like last week, there are not many anywhere. There were 16 birds of 5 species at Emerald Meadows on the 18th, 3 birds of 3 species at the Bruce pit on the 18th, and 25 birds of 4 species near Marionville. The only surprise were 4 very late BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS near Wakefield on the 18th. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen at the Rockcliffe Airport on the 12th. An EMPIDONAX FLYCATCHER was on Dolman Ridge Road on the 14th, but the specific species could not be identified. A very late YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was at the Richmond Conservation area on the 14th, and a late PHILADELPHIA VIREO was at Remic rapids on the 13th. The first of the season BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and TREE SPARROWS were seen at multiple locations this week. A somewhat late FIELD SPARROW was at Britannia on the 18th, a very late ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was at Britannia on the 16th, and a very late EASTERN TOWHEE was at Rockcliffe Airport on the 16th. 9 species of WARBLER were seen this week, but aside from YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, all the others were late and seen in very low numbers. Some of the recent sightings included: 1. MAGNOLIA WARBLER at Britannia on the 12th, 2. TENNESSEE WARBLER in Aylmer on the 16th, i 3. NORTHERN PARULA at Britannia on the 16th. 4. NASHVILLE WARBLER at Rockcliffe Airport on the 17th. 5. ORANGE CROWNED WARBLER in Alta Vista on the 18th, at Rockcliffe Airport on the 17th, 2 were at Chapman Mills on the 14 and 18th, and one was at ferme Moore on the 14th. 6. AMERICAN REDSTART at Rockcliffe Airport on the 15th and at Richmond Landing on the 16th. 7. PALM WARBLER on the 16th at Rockcliffe Airport and on the 18th at the Bruce pit. 8. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER in Gatineau Park on the 17th. Finally, 10 EVENING GROBEAKS were at Shirley’s Bay on the 16th, and one was in Almonte on the 13th. 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
