Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
January 11, 2018 There were no real highlights again this week. After a brief respite, bitter cold returned for a few more days. This was followed by milder temperatures, more snow, freezing rain, rain and a major thaw, all one can ask for in an Ottawa winter, and all in the same week. These were not ideal birding conditions by any stretch, and as last week, mostly only the regular birds were seen, but there were still a few things to chase. The most interesting area for WATERBIRDS has been Billings Bridge, with a CANADA GOOSE, up to 2 WOOD DUCKS, up to 2 NORTHERN PINTAIL and an AMERICAN WIGEON among hundreds of MALLARDS and small numbers of BLACK DUCKS. An AMERICAN WIGEON was at Britannia and on Pinecrest Creek, and a NORTHERN PINTAIL was at Manotick on the 9th. At least some of these birds are moving around. A BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was finally located on the Rideau south of Carleton University on the 5-6th, but has not been reported since. This species has been disappointing this year due to the lack of open water on the Rideau River. A HOODED MERGANSER was near Vincent Massey Park on the 7th. The last GULLS seen were 16 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS at Strathcona Park on the 6th. The RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was last reported in Luskville on the 5th. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was on Hamilton Road near Russell on the 8th. 24 CEDAR WAXWINGS at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden on the 8th, and a WINTER WREN was at Innis Point on the 8th. Things are so dull that it is actually worth mentioning that a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was in Alta Vista on the 8th. A SONG SPARROW was at a feeder at Carleton University on the 10th and another was at a feeder in Gatineau on the 10th . While usually only a single one is seen, 17 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS continue at a feeder on Steeple Hill as of the 10th. 8 of them were at the Trail Road landfill on the 10th, with 4 there on the 11th. 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and a COMMON GRACKLE continue at a feeder near Masson as of the 10th. 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR was at Trail Road on the 11th, and another was on Steeple Hill on the 10th among several 100 SNOW BUNTINGS. 8 PINE SISKINS and 2 RED CROSSBILLS were on Trail 50 in Gatineau Park. The Eardley Masham Road produced only RED CROSSBILLS and PURPLE FINCHES this week. 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
