Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
March 29, 2018 The main highlight of the week was the long-awaited resumption of spring migration. Up to 12 TUNDRA SWANS were on Milton Road on the afternoon of the 29th (but not early that morning). There were also many firsts of the year. Mostly seasonal to above seasonal temperatures led to significant melting of the snowpack. The Cobb’s Lake Creek flood plain was the site of several thousand SNOW GEESE on the 27th, and smaller numbers on the 29th. Bearbrook Creek saw almost entirely CANADA GEESE on the 28th, numbering in the 5000+ level. Unfortunately, while the creeks are running quite freely, there is only a small amount of flooding on Bearbrook Creek and none at all on Cobb’s Lake Creek (both on the 29th). From the looks of things there may be very little flooding this year, and consequently the massive SNOW GEESE flocks may pass by without stopping. Also, there are almost no DUCKS yet in these GEESE flocks. However, the areas merit daily checking as they are very dynamic, major flooding or not, and in any case we are still in the early stages of this process. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was near Brophy and Moodie Drive on the 29th. Bearbrook Creek at Frank Kenny saw a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE on the 27th, while the Carp River floodplain saw 2 ROSS’S GEESE also on the 27th. Meanwhile, the 2 TRUMPETER SWANS were seen again on the Rideau River on the 25th, and a single was seen in Carleton Place on the 29th. A male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE showed up on the Rideau near Hurdman on 23 to the 25th after being virtually absent all winter. Arrivals for the year included: 1. EASTERN MEADOWLARK on the 28th 2. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the Trail road Landfill on the 27th. 3. GREEN-WINGED TEAL on the 27th 4. KILLDEER in several places on the 27th. 5. AMERICAN WOODCOCK on the 25th 6. GREAT BLUE HERON on the 25th 7. SANDHILL CRANE on the 25th. The Greenland Road Hawkwatch had a great day on the 25th with 3 GOLDEN EAGLES and 6 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS. This latter species was also seen in Chelsea on the 27th; likely this species has now returned to its nesting grounds. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen in the Bourget area on the 27th and the 29 th. In other odds and ends: 1. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW is continuing at a feeder near Luskville as of the 23rd. 2. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was among a flock of about 500 SNOW BUNTINGS off Russell road near Cobb’s lake Creek. 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
