Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
November 28, 2019 The highlight of the week were 2 sightings of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS: 2 on the 24th on Berry Side Road and 1 on the 25th on Greenland Road. It was a pleasant week weatherwise with mostly above average temperatures and conditions conducive to good birding. However, the volume and variety of birds is typical of early winter. A few interesting lingerers are here, but while snow cover is gone the forests are pretty empty. Rivers are wide open as of the 28th but there are few WATERBIRDS aside from COMMON GOLDENEYE. Although 17 species of duck were seen in the region, mostly of these were isolated sightings; in particular there are very few lingering DABBLING DUCKS about. The HARLEQUIN DUCK continues in Strathcona Park as of the 24th, and up to 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYE are there as well. A RED-THROATED LOON was in Aylmer on the 26th, and at Shirley’s Bay-Grandview on the 23rd. A BONAPARTE’S GULL was at the Moodie Drive ponds on the 26th, and both ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS are there from time to time. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at Dick Bell Park on the 27th. A BELTED KINGFISHER was at Lac Meech on the 25th. 70 SANDHILL CRANES were flying over Metcalfe on the 24th and a NORTHERN FLICKER was in Dunrobin on the 23rd. The CAROLINA WREN was in Britannia most recently on the 28th. At least 2 WINTER WRENS have been there Britannia as late as the 28th and there is a continuing one in Almonte as of the 26th. 2 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS continue on Perrault near Milton as of the 25th. Another was in Gatineau (District des Promenades) on the 24th. A HERMIT THRUSH was at Val des Monts on the 23rd. 13 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were near Greenland Road on the 24th, while a single was on Berry Side Road on the 28 th. A GRAY CATBIRD was in Barry Mullen Park on the 24th. 15 CEDAR WAXWINGS at the Fletcher on the 27th. This spot merits regular checking due to the excellent fruit crop. 8 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were at the Trail Road Landfill on the 27th and 4 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were in Richmond on the 24th. Finally, although the CROSSBILL sightings recently have not been repeated, it seems likely that there is a small movement through the region, although it is not expected to be a good winter here for them. Therefor any suitable habitat is worth checking out. Small numbers of PINE SISKINS have been seen in the northern reaches of the region. *Reminder regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway:* DND has advised extra caution as the causeway is in rough shape. They have also requested that if any garbage can be removed it would be appreciated. To access this site, you must be on the access list, and 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 sent to DND this spring and will be updated occasionally. Note: Due to the winter conditions, this will be the last reminder until next spring. To get on the next access list, please contact members...@ofnc.ca. 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
