Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
February 2, 2017 By and large, birding conditions were rather static this week, and there we no real highlights. Weather this week was considerably colder but temperatures were still near normal. There was a lot of cloud and light precipitation but no major accumulation. The extended spell of milder weather has resulted in an expansion of the area of open water in the rivers. These situations in winter sometimes cause an influx of WATERFOWL or GULLS from the great lakes, and may have been a factor in the appearance of a LONG-TAILED DUCK on the 28th in the Deschênes Rapids. Otherwise the uncommon overwintering DUCKS continued this week again-HARLEQUIN DUCK at Hurdman , BUFFLEHEAD at Bate Island, WOOD DUCK and AMERICAN WIGEON at Billings Bridge, and NORTHERN PINTAIL on Iber Road. Joining them, a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, rare at this time year, is still making occasional appearances on the Rideau River from Hurdman to Carleton University. Other notable sightings this week included: 1. An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was seen from Steele Line Road west of Westbrook on the 2nd. 2. A BELTED KINGFISHER was in Chapman Mills on the 29th. 3. Multiple sightings of both NORTHERN FLICKER and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER continue in the region. 4. Up to 4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were on Berry Side Road on the 28th; up to 3 are in the Luskville area, most recently seen on the 1st. 5. TUFTED TITMOUSE is still being seen in Quyon and Fitzroy Harbour. 6. CAROLINA WREN is still semi-regular in the Carlington area and Carleton Place. 7. Up to 2 CHIPPING SPARROWS continue at a feeder in Carleton Place as late as the 28th. 8. 2 PURPLE FINCH were in Breckenridge on the 29th and in Richmond on the same day. 9. 2 PINE GROSBEAK were in Gatineau on the 26th. 10. 14 PINE SISKIN were at the north end of Torbolton Ridge Road on the 30 th. 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. 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
