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]
February 18, 2016
The last sighting of the SUMMER TANAGER in New Edinburgh was on the 12th, although the subsequent severe cold would seem to make continuing survival doubtful. However, despite the severe cold, a number of rare over-wintering sparrows were seen in the Winchester area on a bird count: CHIPPING, SAVANNAH and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were seen at a feeder on Maple Ridge Road on the 14th-15th. Also in the area was also a NORTHERN HARRIER, rare this time of year, and 3 LAPLAND LONGSPUR.
Severe winter weather this week, being the coldest day of the season (-30) and the heaviest one-day snowfall in over 100 years (51 cm) could not have helped the few birds that have not yet succumbed to Ottawa winter. There was a bit of activity on the weekend due to local participation in the “Great backyard bird count”, but aside from the bird count, there has not been much to report. Probably there is more around, but these are still the winter doldrums for birders.
A BUFFLEHEAD on the 15th east of the Champlain Bridge and the BARROW’S GOLDENEYE near Hurdman were the only more uncommon waterfowl sightings this week.
A small covey of GRAY PARTRIDGE near Donald B. Munro and Carrey’s Sideroad on the 13th was the first sighting of this species in nearly 6 weeks.
A NORTHERN FLICKER was on McCordick Road on the 14th, while RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was in the Winchester area on the 14th, and in Manotick on the 18th.
A CAROLINA WREN was in Gatineau on the 14th, and in the blackbird family, COMMON GRACKLE was in Russell on the 12th, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was in the Winchester area on the 14th, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was also present on the 14th on March Valley Road.
Finally, a RED CROSSBILL in Larose forest on the 12th, and EVENING GROSBEAK in 2 places, south of Larose Forest on the 14th and near Manotick on the 13th were notables among the finches.
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.
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