Ontario/Quebec Ottawa/Gatineau 20 December 2011 Hotline: Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club Phone number: 613-860-9000 For the Bird Status Line PRESS * (star) To report bird sightings PRESS 1 (one) Coverage: Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario,W. Quebec Compiler & transcriber: Chris Lewis [email protected], or [email protected]
The main event of the week was the 92nd Ottawa-Gatineau Chistmas Bird Count on Dec. 18th. A preliminary total of 78 spp. was recorded. A full report will be posted when the information is finalized. Several record high numbers included BUFFLEHEAD, WILD TURKEY, COMMON LOON, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, AMERICAN ROBIN and DARK-EYED JUNCO. Among the 14 spp. of waterfowl were nearly 2,900 CANADA GEESE (not a record, but impressive for this time of year) and a few lingering species such as GREEN-WINGED TEAL, SURF SCOTER and LONG-TAILED DUCK. At least 4 BARROW'S GOLDENEYE and all 3 species of MERGANSERS were also seen. Not reported on the count were a male NORTHERN PINTAIL in Parc des cedres near the marina in Aylmer, Quebec, and a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT that has apparently been hanging around on the river near the marina in Hull, Quebec for several days - it was seen again on the 19th. At least 3 BALD EAGLES, 5 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and one each of AMERICAN KESTREL, MERLIN and PEREGRINE FALCON were seen within the count circle, as were several ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS amid good numbers of RING-BILLED, HERRING and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS. A couple of NORTHERN FLICKERS were good finds for this time of year, and 15 NORTHERN SHRIKES was a good number for what is essentially an urban bird count. Significant numbers of COMMON RAVENS also reflect the success of this species in urban areas in recent years. A CAROLINA WREN persists in Britannia, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were greatly outnumbered by CEDAR WAXWINGS, and a nice assortment of SPARROWS included AMERICAN TREE, CHIPPING, SONG and WHITE-THROATED. PURPLE FINCH, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, COMMON REDPOLL and PINE SISKIN were found in small numbers in widespread locations. HOUSE FINCH numbers were much impoved compared to recent winters, and a grand total of 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS, both in the Hull sector, were an indication of another recent species trend. Finally, going back to waterfowl, approx. 5,000 SNOW GEESE east of Ottawa near Embrun on the 16th was a good number for this time of year in our region. Thank you - Good Birding! _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
