Hi Ontbirders Well it was another exciting day in Canada's capital! The Razorbill was found today by Jon Ruddy and Ottawa birders experienced another fallout/flight from the north. After a few days of good birding a number of us were stationed at various vantage points along the south side of Lake Deschenes (Ottawa River) and we weren't disappointed. With the continuing unsettled weather there was a good movement of waterbirds. Highlights included a small flight of Brant, likely 400+, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Red-throated Loons, 250+ Dunlin, 1 Black-bellied Plover and 1 Greater Yellowlegs. So in general, lots of waterbirds on the move south as temperatures drop in the north. Lots of possibilities. With Jon Ruddy at Dick Bell Park, Mike Tate at Andrew Haydon Park and myself along with others at Britannia Pier it was a interesting time and lots of texting to keep up with all the observations. What a change in birding! The highlight of the day was the Razorbill observed in flight by Jon Ruddy as it landed off Dick Bell Park. The word went out and numerous birders got to see this rarity. This represents the second record for the Ottawa-Gatineau 50 km district and one of the few records for eastern Ontario. There is a specimen record from October 14,1950 in Big Rideau Lake,Lanark County, a photographic record of a specimen from Wolfe Island on November 29, 1984, a record from Lake Dore, Renfrew county, December 1-5,1989, and another sight record from the St. Lawrence River at Cornwall on November 27, 1987. The first record for the Ottawa District was found on October 22,2011 by Mark Gawn and was last observed on November 1, 2011.I would watch out for anything along the Ottawa River since these birds are likely from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Anything is possible!
Good birding, Bruce Directions: Check along the Ottawa off Carling Ave. between Dick Bell Park and Britannia. Also check Deschenes Rapids below Britannia. Bruce Di Labio P.O.Box 538 Carp,Ontario K0A 1L0 613-715-2571 http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ 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
