Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
December 27, 2018 The highlight of the week was a GYRFALCON which was hanging around the Britannia area for a few hours on the 25th. The ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK also continues at the Dewberry trail as of the 27th. Weather was generally dry with some mild and cold days. Birder activity was somewhat low this week, although the Arnprior-Packenham Bird Count (CBC) on the 26th did get a lot of people out that day. There were 52 species reported. A GYRFALCON was new to the count and there were record highs for HAIRY and PILEATED WOODPECKERS. If anyone is still interested in participating on a bird count, there will be one in Richmond on the 28th and in Dunrobin-Breckenridge on the 29th. Among the usual DUCKS, a RING-NECKED DUCK and sometimes a LONG-TAILED DUCK have been off Britannia Point. 2 WOOD DUCKS and sometimes a NORTHERN PINTAIL are at Billings Bridge. An AMERICAN WIGEON seems to alternate between there and Britannia, or maybe there are 2. A COMMON LOON was at Britannia point on the 24th. A GREAT BLUE HERON was at the Terry Fox business park on the 21st, and near 417 and Walkley on the 22nd. 4 species of GULL at were at the Trail Road Landfill on the 23rd, as was a NORTHERN FLICKER. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER continues near Shirley’s Bay as late as the 26th. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was near Cantley on the 22nd. 2 GOLDEN EAGLES were seen from rue Therien near Luskville on the 23rd. EVENING GROSBEAKS seem to be most consistently at the Dewberry trail feeders (now up to 50), while PINE GROSBEAKS are scattered everywhere in small numbers, as are (fewer) PINE SISKINS. Single HOARY REDPOLLS were seen in large flocks of COMMON REDPOLLS in Luskville on the 23rd and at the Trail Road Landfill on the 25th. In other sightings: 1. A CAROLINA WREN was in Bridlewood on the 24th 2. A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was in Richmond in the 24th 3. A COMMON GRACKLE was in Cantley on the 22nd 4. A SWAMP SPARROW was in the Marlborough Forest on the 20th. 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 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
