Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club
Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec
Compiler: Greg Zbitnew at k_zbitn...@bell.net or sighti...@ofnc.ca
January 7, 2016
The BULLOCK’S ORIOLE continued in Pakenham until the 5th, when it was found in
bad shape and taken to the Wild Bird Care Centre, where it is rehabilitating as
of the 6th. The SUMMER TANAGER was last seen in New Edinburgh on the 5th,
feeding actively.
The latest “new” rarity (but just an ordinary one) was a TUFTED TITMOUSE in
Breckenridge from the 2nd to the 7th. The most unusual among the lingerers was
a SWAINSON’S THRUSH, seen a number of times (but easy to miss if it is not
moving) from December 31st to January 4th along Ruisseau de la Brasserie in
Hull. It is possibly the first January record.
The first severe cold of the season (-25 on the 5th) along with the deep snow
set the stage for the birding week. While milder on the 6-7th, rivers are now
frozen significantly although there is still a lot of open water in the faster
moving parts. This has begun concentrating the waterbirds. Surviving land birds
will concentrate more at feeders and at the more favourable microclimates.
This week saw lots of birding activity, especially since birders were out in
force to start off the birding year. There was good variety; regionally, about
95 species were seen this week, but many of them are lingerers which will leave
if they can (the waterbirds) or have a tough time in the woods or feeders now
that the cold and snow have settled in. 2 local Christmas bird counts, Forêt
Larose and Dunrobin-Breckenridge were on the 2nd. Both produced a few
highlights. At the High Falls Conservation area, a NORTHERN PINTAIL and
AMERICAN COOT were present, 2 RED CROSSBILL were in the western part of the
forest, and COMMON GRACKLE and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD were at feeders. The still
open waters at Shirley’s bay had COMMON LOON, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and
RING-NECKED DUCK.
At Britannia point on the 1st were RED-NECKED GREBE, GREATER SCAUP, and
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, and on the 3rd there was a LESSER SCAUP. A
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was near there at Deschênes on the 7th. 2 AMERICAN
WIGEON were also at Britannia on the 3rd. All these are quite late, there still
being plenty of open water. 3 BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, 4 HOODED MERGANSER and a WOOD
DUCK were the highlights on the Rideau River north of Hurdman on the 1st, while
a male NORTHERN PINTAIL graced the common ducks at Billings Bridge on the
6-7th. A SNOW GOOSE was in Russell on the 1st. Last but not least among the
waterbirds, 3 CANVASBACK were on the Ottawa River on the 4th near Chemin du Fer
à Cheval in Gatineau.
On the frozen Moodie Drive Ponds, there were 7 species of GULL on the 1st,
including THAYER’S and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. The mild weather meant that
there were still a few RING-BILLED GULLS around too.
Among the hawks, there was a GOLDEN EAGLE in Bristol on the 4th, while a
NORTHERN HARRIER at the Moodie Drive ponds on the 1st-3rd was late. A NORTHER
FLICKER was coming to a feeder at Malakoff Rd. on the 4th, and a BLACK-BACKED
WOODPECKER at Breckenridge on the 6th was the first sighting of the season.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were at Pakenham and Bristol.
While not a sign of spring, numbers of AMERICAN ROBIN abound, including a flock
of 100 at the Experimental farm on the 3rd. The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD in
Britannia was seen again on the 6th-7th, but it has been easy to miss. A HERMIT
THRUSH was in Britannia on the 6th, while a lingering GRAY CATBIRD was at
Shirley’s Bay on Hilda Rd. on the 6th. A CAROLINA WREN is semi-regular near
Brantwood Park, and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR was among SNOW BUNTINGS on Brophy Road
on the 1st. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER seen on the CBC was still near the
filtration plant east of Shefford on the 4th.
A feeder at Chemin du Fer à Cheval in Gatineau is hosting a good winter mix
with FOX SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD and COMMON GRACKLE, the latter species
also on Louiseize near Hawthorne on the 6th. Lastly among the Icterids, a RUSTY
BLACKBIRD was on Diamondview Road on the 6th as well. Finches continue to be
scarce, but RED CROSSBILLS were also on Inlet Rd. (north of Buckingham) on Dec.
31st
The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We
will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to sighti...@ofnc.ca for the
purpose of maintaining local records.
Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations.
Good birding.
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