Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Greg Zbitnew at [email protected] or [email protected]
Recent sightings to August 13, 2015 Birding in Ottawa was mostly fairly dull this week, picking up later in the week. There were, however, a few exciting moments. A BREWSTER’S WARBLER was in Pakenham August 7th. On the morning of the 11th during the rain at Shirley’s Bay, 13 WHIMBREL were seen flying east as well as the first of the year BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, neither of which stayed. This latter bird was at Embrun lagoons on the 12th, which also had the first of the season WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. The first of the year STILT SANDPIPER was on the Ottawa River shore east of Andrew Haydon Park, while the first of the year SANDERLING was at Parc Brébeuf on the 11th. Migration picked up noticeably by the end of the week. Notable among the migrants were YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATACHER (Reveler recreational trails on the 9th, Shirley’s Bay on the 11th and 13th), and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (the 9th at Britannia and the 11th at Shirley’s Bay). Last but not least among the highlights, a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen on the 13th west of Aylmer. Waterfowl were not notable aside from the summering BRANT, COMMON GOLDENEYE (Remic Rapids), and an early GREATER SCAUP (Shirley’s Bay) on the 12th. The heavy (and badly needed) rain on the 10-11th was likely why Shirley’s Bay was briefly good on the 11th. Aside from the birds already mentioned, a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was there on the 11-12th along with the common species. A search of the sod farms south of the city on the 11th produced a few BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER but otherwise only commoner species. In the last week, 17 species of SHOREBIRDS have been reported in the region. Some recent sightings included: 1. Embrun Lagoons, 70 birds of 9 species on the 12th; 2. Almonte Lagoons, 50 birds of 5 species on the 10th; 3. Shirley’s Bay, 150 birds of 11 species on the 11th; 100 birds of 9 species early on the 12th, but only 30 species of 3 species a short while later. 4. Ottawa River shore (Andrew Haydon Park and east): Lots of habitat but very few birds and only common species reported. 5. Giroux Ponds: Some habitat but very few birds. 6. Parc Brébeuf: Up to 8 species. In the region this time of year, heavy rain and bad weather are conducive to SHOREBIRD fallouts, as was the case on the 11th. Unfortunately they are also conducive to being soaked to the bone. As in the spring, heavy downpours can also result in flooded fields and temporary ponds, also good for shorebirds. Birds may be down for a matter of minutes or hours. Even aside from these situations, there is little consistency in observations from day to day as the river levels fluctuate or even from hour to hour if predatory birds cause the birds to scatter, as has been happening regularly here. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL has been seen regularly in the afternoon and evenings at the Deschênes Rapids, recently from the Gatineau side. There was a significant movement of THRUSHES on the evening of the 11th, from Pakenham, including some GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES reported. For no known reason, there were 3 reports of CAROLINA WREN this week, from Kanata, Constance Bay, and the previously reported Grenfell Glen location. WARBLER diversity rose this week, with 21 of the 25 regular WARBLERS being seen. Britannia, Shirley’s Bay and west of Petrie Island along the Ottawa River to Bilberry were good. Up to 11 species have been seen on a morning trip. The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to [email protected] for the purpose of maintaining local records. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations. Good birding. _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
