Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
September 20, 2018 The highlight of the week was 2 CAROLINA WRENS, often but not always visible/ audible at Britannia as late as the 19th. It was very warm and dry most of the week, and not particularly good for migration; many days were very quiet. Despite the fact that more and more species have left for the season, there is still a good variety of WARBLERS, and the number and variety of SPARROWS is rising. SHOREBIRD supply continues to be poor. River levels are high, and the last visit to Shirley’s Bay on the 20th produced no SHOREBIRDS. Embrun is still the best spot. On the 14th there were 90 birds of 8 species including 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, an early DUNLIN and 2 WHITE-RUMPED sandpipers as well. Almonte had 3 birds of 3 species on the 19th. The Giroux Road Ponds have had a few birds, including a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. There were 4 species including BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER at the water treatment plant at Masson, and 25 birds of 4 species were at Emerald Meadows on the 19th. SNOW GEESE are popping up all over the region in very small numbers, clearly a sign of fall. The first CACKLING GOOSE of the season was flying over the Dovercourt area on the 16th. On the nights of the 18th and 19th, favourable conditions produced a good movement of SWAINSON’S and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES (44 were heard flying over Barrhaven on the 18th). A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was in Britannia on the 15th, and 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS persist in Constance Bay as of the 15th. The first RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS of the season were seen this week in several places. In addition to an increasing number of LINCOLN’S SPARROWS, small numbers of DARK-EYED JUNCOS are being seen, and the first WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW of the season was in Britannia on the 19th. PURPLE FINCHES are around in good numbers, but aside from a few scattered PINE SISKINS, there is nothing else, not even on an extended trip to (western) Gatineau Park on the 20th. Visits to Britannia and other migrant traps are still producing 10-15 species of WARBLER per trip. A GOLDEN/ BLUE-WINGED WARBER was reported in Alta Vista on the 19th. This week, 23 species were seen, although about 6 of those are here in very small number. Of the scarcer ones, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER has been in Britannia regularly until the 16th, but it is easy to miss. Another was in the Birch Manor area of Gatineau on the 19th. A CANADA WARBLER was at Lac McGregor on the 16th, and on the 19th a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was in Britannia, and at Shirley’s Bay on the 20th. 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
