Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
August 29, 2019 A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was reported at the Reveler Recreation area on the 27 th but was not found again. Other than that, a LONG-BILLED DOWTICHER, the first of the year, was at Andrew Haydon Park on the 29th. *Reminder:* *The OFNC Seedathon is Sunday, September 1st. Anyone can participate via a donation or by sharing their eBird checklists (in the 50K study region) to Ottawa_seedathon. * Our rainiest day in weeks was on the 28th, but otherwise it was sunny with near seasonal temperatures this week. Migrant SONGBIRDS are still not being seen in great numbers and variety. The WATERBIRD population is showing only minimal changes. A few LESSER SCAUP at Shirley’s Bay were somewhat notable. Some less common ones there this week have been NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELLER and GADWALL. Despite the rain on the 28th, SHOREBIRD habitat remains good, especially at Shirley’s Bay. As is normal, variety and numbers vary from day to day if not hour by hour. On the 23rd, there were 14 species seen, including SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, RUDDY TURNSTONE and the first of the year AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. However, numbers have been as low as zero (possibly due to a marauding PEREGRINE FALCON), and on the 29th there were about 50 birds of only 4 species. SANDERLINGS are popping up in a number of places. There were 6 at Andrew Haydon Park east on the 29th. 44 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER were in a field on Nixon Drive in SE Ottawa on the 28th. 20 species of SHOREBIRD were in the region this week, which is an excellent tally and perhaps the most variety this year. Other than the spots mentioned, recent sightings have included: 1. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE on the Ottawa River west of Britannia. 2. 19 birds of 6 species in Almonte on the 28th. 3. 34 birds of 5 species at Petrie Island on the 25th. 4. A RUDDY TURNSTONE was at the Moodie Drive Ponds on the 28th along with a few common species. Up to 40 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS have been seen migrating. Meanwhile, the sightings of all the SWALLOWS are diminishing fairly rapidly. Some miscellaneous sightings of note included: 1. A CAROLINA WREN in Britannia on the 29th. 2. The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was still in Constance Bay as of the 27th. 3. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the Moodie drive Ponds on the 27th. 4. A LEAST BITTERN was at Constance Creek at Thomas Dolan on the 25th. 5. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was in the Pleasant Park area on the 28th. 6. 2 YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were on Trail 10 near Shirley’s Bay on the 27th. Despite this being the peak of fall SONGBIRD migration, sightings of migrant birds have been generally spotty even in the best spots like Britannia. Although 20 species of WARBLER have been seen this week in the region, in most cases only 5-10 have been seen on single trips. *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 has already been sent to DND this spring and will be updated occasionally. 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
