Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at [email protected]
July 20, 2017 Continuing a weeks-long trend, there were no real highlights this week either. Weather was generally seasonal, and so was the birding. However, there are early indications of fall migration and post-breeding dispersal. This is most noticeable among the SHOREBIRDS, with a few sightings of some numbers and variety. Among the WATERBIRDS, the only sightings were of the common nesting species. SHOREBIRD variety and number have increased considerably. There have been no reports from Shirley’s bay. While water levels on the Ottawa River have dropped a bit, perhaps another 30 cm drop should give us some real habitat. Flooded fields are currently the best bet for SHOREBIRDS. 2 such spots have been productive: 1. Up to 7 SANDERLING on John Shaw Road as late as the 19th. Also there were some larger numbers of LESSER YELLOWLEGS and other SHOREBIRDS. 2. 65 birds of 6 species at the Diamondview Flood plain on the 19th, including 6 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. Note that these birds are distant and need good viewing conditions. Some other spots have been: 3. 4 species of SHOREBIRD including SEMIPALMATED PLOVER on the 13th at the Moodie Drive ponds. 4. 35 birds of 6 species were at Embrun on the 17th, including 2 Sanderling. 5. 1 adult SANDERLING was at Petrie Island on the 17th. A few other sightings of note include: 1. CASPIAN TERN at Plaisance on the 15th. 2. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the Moodie Drive Ponds as late as the 18th. 3. LEAST BITTERN at Constance Creek on the 15th. 4. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO at the Reveler Recreational trails as late as the 16th. Other than that, there are still lots of the regular nesters around, the numbers augmented by the often vocal young begging for food. 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
