Ontario/Quebec
Ottawa/Gatineau
December 19, 2013
Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec
Compiler & transcriber Bob Cermak [email protected] or [email protected]
Over 100 observers found 67 (average is 72) species during the Ottawa/Gatineau
CBC on the 15th. Cold weather and a snow fall of 26 cm made finding birds
challenging. Highlights were HARLEQUIN DUCK, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, first ever
for the count YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and a record high 9 SNOWY OWL.
HARLEQUIN DUCK (2) continue to be seen near the bottom (east) of the Deschenes
Rapids.
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (f) continues on the Rideau River, on the 19th near the
Hurdman bridge.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (1st year male) found on the 15th and 18th and
probably still present feeding on berries high in a tree on Thorold Rd 100 m
east of Acacia Ave in the Village of Rockcliffe Park.
There has been a major SNOWY OWL irruption into the Ottawa area. On the 8th 25
were reported east and west of the city. Bruce Di Labio reported in his weekly
(Saturday) Ottawa Citizen birding column:
"After last winter's Great Gray Owl fiasco with bird photographers observed
trespassing on private property, baiting the owls with coolers full of live
mice to get the best flight shot and general harassment, I strongly encourage
everyone this winter to be responsible, use common sense and review the code
online at www.ofnc.ca/birding/Code-of-Conduct.pdf. These Arctic beauties are
for everyone's enjoyment so please be respectful."
HERMIT THRUSH (1) was found on the 13th and 17th beside the walking trail near
an air vent on the hillside behind the Library of Parliament.
For anyone looking for good looks at gulls a local birder reported: "A large
flock of gulls has settled on the ice near the north shore of the Rideau River
just west of Bank Street at Billings Bridge. It was getting towards dusk, but
it was possible to make out about 30 Great Black-backed Gulls, a dozen Herring
Gulls, one Ring-billed Gull, seven Glaucous Gulls (a mix of adults and
juveniles) and two Iceland Gull juveniles. There are also two male Hooded
Mergansers on the river to the east of the Bridge among hundreds of Mallards
and some Black Ducks."
Thank you to everyone who contributed bird observations.
.
.
Thank you to everyone who contributed bird observations
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
