Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club
Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Greg Zbitnew at [email protected] or [email protected] Recent sightings to September 17, 2015 With respect to rarities, the 13th was the best day in Ottawa for some months, although the good birds did not stay visible for long that day. A juvenile SABINE’S GULL was seen flying east from Shirley’s Bay and was seen by a few. There were 7 HUDSONIAN GODWIT at Britannia Point, also seen by a few. However, the juvenile dark phase PARASITIC JAEGER seen that day has since become a star. Presumably the same bird was re-found on the 15th east of Ottawa Beach, and was still present on the 17th. It has become a great performer, being quite visible and “gettable”, almost unheard of for a jaeger. It alternates between sitting on the water, at times close to shore, and conspicuously harassing RING-BILLED GULLS, forcing them to disgorge their meal, or worse. This activity has included some spectacular aerobatics, sometimes upside down. Summer-like weather was replaced by 2 days of almost continuous rain on the 12th-13th, likely the major factor in the appearance of those 3 rare birds. Summer-like weather returned from the 14th-17th. There has been a noticeable change in bird population, but not a dramatic change. Overall, numbers and variety remain good. Waterbirds increased noticeably this week, although they are far from abundant. Most sightings have been on the Ottawa River between Britannia and Shirley’s Bay. 9 species of PUDDLE DUCKS have been seen this week, and 9 of non-puddle ducks. A few sightings of such birds as SNOW GOOSE, COMMON LOON, and RED-NECKED GREBE (Ottawa River) and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (Moodie Drive Ponds) have given birders something to do after seeing songbirds. A general increase in GULL numbers and variety has been accompanied by a decreased number of TERNS. A late BLACK TERN was at Almonte on the 12th. SHOREBIRD variety increased and possibly has peaked with 20 species reported regionally this week, although many of them are making infrequent appearances. The heavy rain on the weekend caused the Ottawa River to rise, temporarily eliminating most of the Shirley’s Bay habitat. It returned to its previous status by the 17th. Shirley’s Bay still remains the best spot, but the east remains poor, as does the Ottawa River shore despite good habitat. There have been only a few sightings of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER this season, which is somewhat surprising. 2 RUDDY TURNSTONE at Ottawa Beach and WHITE-RUMPED SANDIPER at Constance Bay, both on the 13th, are also of note. The first DUNLIN of the season arrived. Some recent sightings include: Shirley’s Bay: 30 birds of 5 species on the 13th, 20 birds of 5 species on the 14th, 45 birds of 10 species on the 16th, and 25 birds of 8 species on the 17th. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were still there on the 17th, and STILT SANDPIPER until the 14th. Almonte: 65 birds of 5 species on the 12th; 40 birds of 8 species on the 17th with excellent habitat. The small pond north of the large Moodie Drive ponds: 17 birds of 7 species on 13th, including RED-NECKED PHARALOPE and BAIRD’S SANDPIPER. Petrie Island: 30 birds of 4 species on the 15th including RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. Baie Simard: 8 birds of 6 species on the 13th. Giroux ponds: 17 KILLDEER on the 15th. Embrun: 2 KILLDEER on the 11th. Sod farms: None on the 13th. Insectivores have declined quite considerably. SWALLOWS have almost disappeared, just a few scattered sightings of TREE, BANK and CLIFF SWALLOW. There were 2 late sightings of CHIMNEY SWIFT this week. Most FLYCATCHERS have left. There are some scattered sightings of GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER and EASTERN KINGBIRD among the common sightings of hardier insectivores like LEAST FLYCATCHER and EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE. The last sighting of YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was at the Arboretum on the 16th. A somewhat late COMMON NIGHTHAWK was at Deschênes on the 16th. SWAINSON’S THRUSH have become common this week, with an increasing number but still few sightings of GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. By contrast, VEERY and WOOD THRUSH are diminishing rapidly. A number of passerines have arrived for the season, although numbers still remain low, such as AMERICAN PIPIT, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Others, like WINTER WREN and especially BLUE-HEADED VIREO, have become noticeably more common. WARBLER variety has remained quite good most of the week. Regionally 24 species were seen this week (including GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER in Pakenham on the 13th), and the better areas are still seeing 10-15 species per trip. Some examples: at least 18 species were seen on the 11th and 16 on the 13th in Britannia, and 15 species were at Petrie island on the 16th. PALM WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, BLACKPOLL WARBLER and WILSON’S WARBLER are some that became considerably more common this week. Of the SPARROWS, the most noticeable change is that WHITE-THROATED SPARROW is now very common in almost any small woodlot. LINCOLN’S SPARROW is now being seen regularly, but it is scarce. Lastly, there were a few scattered sightings of BALTIMORE ORIOLE, which is getting a bit late, and 160 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS at the Moodie ponds were an unusually large flock for the area. 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. 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