Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
June 29, 2017 The highlight of the week was a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, seen on Craig Henry on the 25th but not refound. Weather has been cloudy, mostly cool and damp, having had more of an effect of reducing enthusiasm among birders than on the bird population. Birding has been generally dull. The only bright spot is that we are probably at the nadir of seasonal migration now, which means that things can only get better. Believe it or not there could well be a few (very few) arrivals/ dispersals by next wee///k. Among the WATERBIRDS, LESSER SCAUP was seen on the Ottawa River on the 23rd, a BUFFLEHEAD at Shirley’s bay on the 25th, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER there on the 28th. Some good news is that the marsh habitat at the end of Champlain Street has recovered to the extent that multiple SORA and VIRGINIA RAILS were calling. Likely this would be similar for other extensive marshes along the Ottawa River. A number of MARSH WRENS were seen this week at the Shirley's Bay Marsh. Some notable sightings were: 1. LEAST BITTERN at Baie McLaurin on the 24th, and 2 at Constance Creek also on the 24th. 2. There was a late continuing LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the Moodie Drive ponds until the 24th. 3. There have been a number of YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO sightings, in addition to the one on Thomas Dolan: one in Chelsea on the 26th, one in Carp on the 27th, and one at Shirley’s Bay on the 28th. 4. 3 RED CROSSBILLS near Lac McGregor on the 26th. 5. EVENING GROSBEAKS at the western edge of Larose Forest. 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. 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 [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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
