Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
November 1, 2018 The bird of the week was a WHITE-EYED VIREO, seen near the end of Champlain street in Orleans, on the 30-1st. This is the first sighting of this species since 2014, and while it has often been difficult to find and see, it has been in the same general area since the first sighting. The second best bird(s) were, unfortunately, 5(!) BOREAL CHICKADEES striking windows this week, downtown and Kanata. Fortunately at least one is recuperating, and this is a bird to watch for as there is a movement. Mostly cloudy and unseasonably cool weather prevailed this week, with the first snow on the ground Sunday and Monday. Many days were quite poor for birding, but at least the 1st saw a reprieve from rain and howling winds. WATERBIRDS are still doing fine, but most other species except for the winter ones are in short supply. Sightings of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE this week were at Giroux, Moodie Drive, and Emerald Meadows. The first CANVASBACK of the season has been in the Moodie Drive ponds from the 28-31st. since the 28th. A few 100 birds of 9 species of DUCK were there on the 28th including RUDDY DUCK. Generally the DUCK supply is good but there are no major concentrations: about 300 DUCKS were at Shirley’s Bay on the 29th. The usual spots like Andrew Haydon Park are still good, and another good spot has been at the widening of the Mississippi River east of Carleton Place: about 300 birds of 8 species were there on the 1st, as well as an AMERICAN COOT. The Giroux Road ponds have been fairly decent too. Regionally, 23 species of DUCK have been seen this week. There have been regular sightings of RED-THROATED LOON on the Ottawa River from the Champlain Bridge to Constance Bay, the most recent one on the 1st at Andrew Haydon Park. 11 species of SHOREBIRD have been seen this week. There are no concentrations anywhere, but small numbers have been seen consistently at the Giroux Road Ponds, Dow’s Lake, Chapman Mills and Emerald Meadows. Somewhat late have been AMERICAN WOODCOCK on the 25th near Carp, and SPOTTED SANDPIPER at Shirley’s Bay on the 29th. GULL numbers are picking up for the season. On the 29th 6 species were at the Moodie Drive Ponds, including GLAUCOUS and ICELAND. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was at Shirley’s bay on the 26th, and 10 GRAY PARTRIDGE were near Cope Drive on the 28th. The RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER continues at Shirley’s Bay as of the 29th. NORTHERN SHRIKES have moved into the region in small numbers. 8 SPECIES OF sparrow have been seen this week, the scarcest being a FIELD SPARROW at Shirley’s Bay on the 27th. A field east of the Rockcliffe Airport still has a surprising number sticking around-over 20 birds of 5 species. We are now in the season where lingering SONGBIRDS are of interest: Some notable ones were: 1. A BLUE-HEADED VIREO in Vallée Meach on the 27th, and in Alta Vista on the 30th. 2. An AMERICAN REDSTART on the Watts Creek pathway on the 26th. 3. A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER at Shirley’s Bay on the 29th. 4. 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS at the Fletcher wildlife Garden on the 26 th. 5. A NASHVILLE WARBLER at the Fletcher wildlife Garden on the 26-27th. 6. A PALM WARBLER at the Rockcliffe Airport on the 1st. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was still at the Shirley’s Bay boat launch on the 29th. There have been developments in the WINTER FINCHES. A RED CROSSBILL was in Almonte on the 30th. A WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL flew over the Champlain St. Marsh on the 1st. A PINE GROSBEAK was at the Fletcher wildlife Garden on the 26th. EVENING GROSBEAKS have now had many sightings all over the region. This appears to be the best year for them in quite some time. COMMON REDPOLLS are now so common they are now no longer worth mentioning. 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. *Reminder regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway:* DND has amended our access procedure. You must call Range Control (613-991-5740) for permission, state that you are an OFNC member and give your name. Finally, you must call again when you have left the area. DND would also like to be informed if you see anyone on the property who should not be there, such as boats in the bay or people fishing on the causeway. They are trespassing and DND will deal with the situation. The OFNC has provided DND with a list of OFNC members who HAVE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED access. DND will check, so make sure that your membership is up to date and that you have requested that the OFNC put you on the access list. This list was updated recently. To get on the next access list, please contact members...@ofnc.ca. 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