Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
October 31, 2019 There was one “Treat” this week, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER at Parc Brébeuf on the 26th. There was a fair bit of rain and generally above-seasonal temperatures, but it only translated into quite quiet conditions, especially as so many SHOREBIRDS and PASSERINES have cleared out. There will be a big “Trick” next week with near winter conditions expected, so a big change to the bird population is likely. WATERBIRDS at least are in good supply. At the traditional areas of concentration, about 200 DUCKS of 8 species were at Baie Noire on the 29th, most of them AMERICAN WIGEON. On the 25th there, though, a thorough search turned up 1300 DUCKS of 16 species of DUCK, including a EURASIAN WIGEON and 5 REDHEAD. Most were RING-NECKED DUCKS and AMERICAN WIGEON. About 500 ducks of 13 species at Shirley’s bay on the 26th. Getting late were up to 3 BLUE-WINGED TEALS at Andrew Haydon Park at least until the 30th. The first of the season, an adult male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was at Remic Rapids on the 28th. While 24 species of DUCK were seen this week, probably number and variety have peaked. Aside from DUCKS, a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was at Crysler on the 29th and a RED-THROATED LOON was at Britannia pier on the 28th. Among other WATERBIRDS, a COMMON GALLINULE was at the Almonte Lagoons and Baie Noire on the 25th, while 2 were at Shirley’s Bay on the 26th. A late AMERICAN BITTERN was at Petrie Island on the 25th, and 2 late BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were at Strathcona Park on the 31st. 7 species of SHOREBIRD were seen this week, but they were rather scattered sightings in small numbers. The heavy rain on the 31st-1st will likely wipe out the river SHOREBIRD habitat. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK were at Stony Swamp on the 26th. There were 2 very late sightings of RED-EYED VIREO: at Britannia on the 26th and in Richmond on the 30th. A GRAY CATBIRD in Almonte on the 26th was a bit late. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS have nearly reached their winter levels, with the others declining rapidly. A SAVANNAH SPARROW at Andrew Haydon Park on the 29 th was a bit late. There have been a couple of flyovers of COMMON REDPOLLS in Gatineau and Ottawa, the first of the season. Unfortunately this will not be a good winter for this species. Finally, and this is disappointingly early but expected, WARBLERS have pretty much disappeared. Aside from a late BLACKBURNIAN WARLER at Meech Lake on the 28th, the last sighting was 7 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS on Dolman Ridge Road on the 29th. *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
