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
May 26, 2016 The best bird of the week was a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, seen on the 27th from High Road south of the airport. Also notable were 2 sightings of YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, one at Britannia on the 29th and the second near the General Hospital on the 2nd. Unfortunately, there was little else of note. Despite very warm to even hot conditions, there was no unsettled weather: it was virtually rainless the entire week. With over 95% of spring migration now passed, likely the time for migrant fallouts has as well. It has been one of the dullest migration seasons recently, although there is still the chance for rarities to drop in. The birding focus is now on the breeding birds, which are now at their most active. 40 BRANT at Chelsea on the 27th were notable only because so few of these birds have been seen this season. There were a few later/ lingering species, such as WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and 13 LESSER SCAUP on the 28th at Britannia, 3 COMMON GOLDENEYE Deschênes on the 31st. PUDDLE DUCKS are mostly on their nesting grounds, ponds and lagoons. LEAST BITTERN was at Baie McLaurin on the 31st and also at Stoney Swamp as late as the 1st. Those who missed SANDHILL CRANE earlier this year can try their luck at local bogs. They were at the Morewood Bog on the 29th and also at the Mer Bleue Bog on the 31st. UPLAND SANDPIPER has been seen in the Munster area a few times, but migrant SHOREBIRDS are simply not landing or sticking around, and the severe lack of habitat in the immediate area does not help. Likely no significant numbers or variety will be seen until the fall, unless there is some major weather activity in the next few days. A tour of the east found some decent habitat at St. Albert, but only about 20 birds of 5 species. Casselman and Embrun have some habitat but virtually on birds. The only other place that has some habitat is the Moodie Drive ponds, but again birds are few. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER on the 29th at Innis Point was the first sighting in the immediate Ottawa area. About 98% of the WARBLERS now being seen are the local nesters. Only a few late migrating WARBLERS are still passing through. A few other sightings topped off a fairly dull week: 1. A late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET at the Morewood Bog on the 29th; 2. A late RUSTY BLACKBIRD near the Blair Road boat launch on the 27th. 3. RED CROSSBILL at Britannia on the 27th. 4. NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at Innis Point on the 2nd. 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. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - 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
