Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
December 13, 2018 There were 2 highlights this week. A CANADA JAY was seen in the Russell area on the 13th. A gray morph GYRFALCON was seen flying around an apartment on Ambleside on the 10th, but was not subsequently seen. Otherwise it was mostly a very quiet week, both for the birds and for the weather. Weather conditions look promising for the 100th Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird count on the 16th, so if you haven’t signed up now it is not too late to participate, even if all you do is report what you see at your feeder. The rivers continue to freeze, but like last week there is more water than birds. The Pinecrest Creek corridor had an interesting lot: GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL and WOOD DUCK on the 9th. Meanwhile the AMERICAN WIGEON continues at Britannia as well as 2 WOOD DUCKS at Billings Bridge. Other lingerers in the remaining open water include: · A SNOW GOOSE was at Strathcona Park on the 8th. · A COMMON LOON was on Lac McGregor on the 8th. · A LONG-TAILED DUCK was in the Deschênes Rapids on the 8th. · RED-NECKED GREBE and LESSER SCAUP were at Baie Simard on the 8th. · GREAT BLUE HERON was at the Cope drive Ponds on the 10th. · A BELTED KINGFISHER was in Gatineau Park at Vallée Meech, on the 10th. Among the land birds, notable were: · A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER continues at Masson as of the 10th and at the Hilda Road feeders on the 9th. · A GOLDEN EAGLE was in Quyon on the 10th. · A (likely) continuing SWAMP SPARROW was in the Arboretum near Dow’s Lake as of the 11th. · A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was seen near Dunrobin on the 12th. · A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD has been coming regularly to a feeder in Kanata. Finally, WINTER FINCH numbers have dropped significantly in the last few weeks, although most of the species are still around. Notable were 2 RED CROSSBILLS at the Arboretum on the 9th. 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:* *Note: this reminder will be discontinued after this week until next spring when the rivers re-open.* 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. 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
