Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
May 3, 2018 A new record for the region, a NEOTROPIC CORMORANT, was seen in Deschenes in the evening of the 27th, but unfortunately was not subsequently re-found. If this were not enough, a BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was found near Hurdman on the 27th, and the RUFF continued near John Shawn and Grant’s Sideroad until the 27th. Given that April was our coldest since 1972, while no-one was dancing around the Maypole on the 1st, it would have been appropriate. Our first summer-like day was on the 2nd, and it looks to be seasonal to above for a few days. Like last week, but even more so, birds continue to stream into the region as vegetation really starts to grow and insects are emerging in considerable numbers. There were 18+ arrivals for the season, although it is certainly not a flood of birds yet. Some WATERBIRDS were of note. The EURASIAN WIGEON was at Shirleys Bay until the 27th. 6 TRUMPETER SWANS and a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE were near Antrim on the 27-28th. 4 TRUMPETER SWANS were flying near the 417 and March Road on the 29th, and 4 were in Dunrobin Shores on the 30th. ROSS’S and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were on John Shaw and Kinburn on the 29th. Hundreds of DUCKS were seen recently at Shirley’s Bay, up to 15 species although most are LESSER SCAUP. In the region, 22 species of DUCK were seen this week. Arrivals this week included, and in a few days most of these will be widespread: · GREEN HERON · SOLITARY SANDPIPER · PECTORAL SANDPIPER · UPLAND SANDPIPER · SORA · CHIMNEY SWIFT · LEAST FLYCATCHER · GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER · EASTERN KINGBIRD · AMERICAN PIPIT · GRAY CATBIRD · WARBLING VIREO · BLUE-HEADED VIREO · COMMON YELLOWTHROAT · YELLOW WARBLER · BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER · NASHVILLE WARBLER Migrant traps like Britannia are now starting to get quite good, as are the extensive grasslands and marshes. Although 4 is more typical, up to 7 species of WARBLER have been seen in a day in some better areas, with the regional tally to date standing at 11. Expect this to become a lot better when the next wave comes in. Some other miscellaneous sightings include: · 2 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS near Almonte on the 30th. · ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK near Antrim on the 28-29th, and one in Navan on the 30th. · A CAROLINA WREN on the 1st and the 3rd at Innis Point. · 21 RED CROSSBILLS and a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in Constance Bay on the 29th. 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. The OFNC will 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 to be on the access list, which is sent by to DND in the spring and updated occasionally. To get on the access list, please contact members...@ofnc.ca. 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. 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
