Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
October 25, 2018 The bird of the week was a BOREAL CHICKADEE, seen on the 22-23rd near Bronson and Somerset of all places. The second best bird was a HUDSONIAN GODWIT, seen on the 21-24th near the Black Rapids Lockstation. For most the week the weather was quite poor, windy and cold with snow flurries a number of days. There were significant changes to the local bird population, mostly disappearances, but there were a few surprisingly late birds. Although there are plenty of DUCKS still around, and 24 species were seen regionally this week, recently the concentrations have not always been evident earlier in the month. There were less than 100 at Shirley’s Bay on the 21st, although over 700 on the 20th. A EURASIAN WIGEON was at Baie Noire on the 21st, where there were 275 birds of 6 species. A RED-THROATED LOON was near Constance Bay on the 21st. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was at the Giroux Road Ponds on the 22nd and 25th, and at the Richmond CA on the 23rd. A ROSSES GOOSE was near Carp on the 18th, which makes 6 species of GOOSE seen in the region this week. SHOREBIRDS have put in their best showing for some time, with 14 species seen in the region this week. Most significantly, the exposed flats along the Rideau Canal, as well as on the Rideau River (at least between Black Rapids and Chapman Mills CA) have resulted in large numbers of SHOREBIRDS. PECTORAL SANDPIPERS are the most common, with numbers as high as 162 at Chapman Mills CA on the 22nd, possibly the largest ever regional count. 2 BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS were seen near Black Rapids on the 23rd, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER was at the Crysler Dam on the 24th, and 4 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were near Constance Bay on the 18th. The winds during the week were good for HAWK movement. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was flying over the west end on the 23rd. A GOLDEN EAGLE was flying over the west end on the 21st, and another at the Giroux Road Ponds on the 22nd. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was near Manotick on the 23rd. There have been a few sightings of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK as this species arrives for the winter. A GREEN HERON was at Britannia on the 19th, and the RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER continues at Shirley’s bay as of the 21st. There were developments with the WINTER FINCHES. The big news was that COMMON REDPOLLS arrived and have suddenly been seen everywhere in the region in small flocks. EVENING GROSBEAKS are at feeders in a number of locations including Larose forest, as well as a few flyovers. PINE SISKINS are being seen in only scattered locations. LAPLAND LONGSPUR was at Shirley’s Bay on the 19-20th, and there was a flock of 20 near Mountain on the 20th. SNOW BUNTINGS have arrived but are still being seen in small numbers. A few late to somewhat late SONGBIRDS were seen: 1. BLUE-HEADED VIREO at Rockcliffe Airport on the 24th. 2. GRAY CATBIRD at Shirley’s bay on the 24th. 3. BROWN THRASHER at Baie Simard on the 20th. SPARROWS numbers are really thinning out, with the exception of AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, which is settling in now for the winter. Finally, although 8 species of WARBLER have been seen, you are now lucky to even seen YELLOW-RUMPED. The oddest of the late ones has been a YELLOW-WARBLER at Britannia on the 19-20th. Others are: 1. TENNESSEE WARBLER in Gatineau on the 19th 2. MAGNOLIA WARBLER on the 23rd near Westboro. 3. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER at the Rockcliffe Airport on the 22nd. 4. PALM WARBLER at Lincoln Fields on the 21st. 5. NASHVILLE WARBLER at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden on the 19th. 6. AMERICAN REDSTART in Carleton Place on the 23rd. 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. *Reminder regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway:* DND has amended our access procedure. You must call Range Control (613-991-5740) for permission, state that you are an OFNC member and give your name. Finally, you must call again when you have left the area. DND would also like to be informed if you see anyone on the property who should not be there, such as boats in the bay or people fishing on the causeway. They are trespassing and DND will deal with the situation. The OFNC has provided DND with a list of OFNC members who HAVE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED access. DND will check, so make sure that your membership is up to date and that you have requested that the OFNC put you on the access list. This list was updated recently. To get on the next access list, please contact members...@ofnc.ca. Good birding. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
