Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
October 4, 2018 The highlight of the week was (possibly) our latest ever OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, seen in Britannia on the 28-1st. Of interest but expected, were the first NELSON’S SPARROWS of the year, in their usual spot at the mouth of Constance Creek, starting the 28th. On was also present at Andrew Haydon Park West on the 2nd. Typical fall weather prevailed, with near to below seasonal temperatures, with a fair bit of cloud and some rain. Although the majority of summer birds have vacated the region, there are still quite a few somewhat late ones around. In addition, there have been a few early arrivals to liven things up a bit. The first GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE of the season was at Britannia on the 28th, and 4 BRANT WERE at Andrew Haydon Park on the 30th. Numbers and variety of DUCKS at Shirley’s Bay are building up to respectable levels. There were 500 birds of 11 species there on the 1st, with RING-NECKED DUCKS and AMERICAN WIGEON being the top 2. There have been no recent sightings from Baie Noire, but regionally 17 species were seen this week, including a REDHEAD at Britannia on the 28th and a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER at Andrew Haydon Park on the 4th. 55 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS WERE at Andrew Haydon on the 2nd, and birds seemed to be moving through that day. SHOREBIRDS are pretty much a bust. A few notable exceptions were a WILSON’S PHALAROPE and 14 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER at Winchester. Embrun had 41 birds of 6 species on the 29th. 16 birds of 4 species were at Emerald Meadows on the 28th. Aside from this the sightings have been a few scattered common species or flyovers. SANDHILL CRANES have returned to their traditional fall feeding grounds in the Navan area. There were 16 near Trim and Mc Fadden on the 28th. Both RED-SHOULDERED and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were at Constance Bay on the 1st. 10 GRAY PARTRIDGE were on Cope Drive on the 29th. There have been other sightings of late FLYCATCHERS: 1. A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER in Gatineau on the 2nd. 2. An EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE near Parkdale Ave on the 2nd and 1 in Russell on the 1st. 3. A LEAST FLYCATCHER in the Richmond Conservation area on the 29th. 4. 2 TREE SWALLOWS at Shirley’s Bay on the 1st. Late RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS were in Russell and Constance Bay on the 2nd. A CAROLINA WREN continues in Britannia on the 30th and Lac McGregor on the 1 st. Among the SONGBIRDS, SPARROWS and both species of KINGLET have risen to the abundant level at times. 19 species of WARBLER have been seen since the start of the month. Some trips have seen 8+ species, but the numbers and variety are dropping daily. A WILSON’S WARBLER at Lac McGregor on the 1st was among the more unusual of the late ones. As always, there have been scattered sightings of ORANGE CROWNED WARBLERS: Britannia, Rockcliffe Airport and Lac Fortune among others. There is little sign of WINTER FINCHES. An EVENING GROSBEAK was flying near the Giroux Road ponds on the 1st, and there have been a few scattered sightings of PINE SISKIN. 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
