Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
August 23, 2018 The bird of the week was a WHIMBREL at Andrew Haydon Park (east) on the 22nd. Unusually “cooperative” for this species, it was around from morning to late afternoon. Fairly seasonal weather prevailed most of the week. The rain and blustery conditions on the 21-22nd did not produce any fallouts as was hoped, but SONGBIRD migration was on the whole fairly good. We are now in the peak period for migration, especially SONGBIRDS and SHOREBIRDS, and the next 2 weeks merit special attention. Although outside the region, a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER in Montebello, and some goodies in southern Ontario are signs that we are in a very active migration period. So watch the skies! A female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER has often been seen from Britannia Point, and a LESSER SCAUP was at Embrun on the 22nd. Other than that WATERFOWL have been quite ordinary. Aside from the rarity noted above, there have been some decent spots but none of the sought-after species seem to be sticking around. Shirley’s Bay (before the rain) had up to 100 birds, including RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, and RUDDY TURNSTONE. There were very few birds there on the evening of the 22nd and even fewer on the 23rd. There is still limited habitat along the river, and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was briefly at Andrew Haydon Park on the, as were 2 BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS . The other good spot has been Embrun, which had 80 birds of 8 species on the 22nd including a long-staying SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. A few common SHOREBIRDS were at Almonte lagooons on the 20th along with a BLACK TERN. Petrie Island had a few common species on the 20th before the water levels rose. 16 birds of 5 species were at the Masson Filtration plant on the 18th. CASPIAN TERNS were noted at Petrie Island as well as their usual spot at Shirley’s Bay. Petrie Island had a few common species before the water levels rose. Over 70 COMMON TERNS were at Shirley’s Bay on the 22nd. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL has been seen at Britannia. The first sightings of the migrant FLYCATCHERS have been noted. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was reported in Elmvale Acres on the 20th, while a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was at Lac Fortune on the 16th, and another was at the Old Quarry trail on the 20th. Finally some WARBLERS are appearing other than Britannia. This spot still had a surfeit of CAPE MAY WARBLERS, and the first WILSON’S WARBLERS were here this week. Both Petrie island and The Greenbelt off Walkley had 10+ WARBLER species on a trip. PHILADELPHIA VIREOS have been seen in a number of places, from the east to the west. This species will become more common fairly soon. In other odds and ends: 1. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS are around in some numbers, mostly along rivers in the evening. 2. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was at Petrie Island on the 20th; 3. PINE SISKIN flyovers were noted at Shirley’s bay and Britannia this week, and 4. A CAROLINA WREN was at Lac McGregor on the 21nd-23rd, but on private property. Another was in Carp on the 19th. 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. 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
