Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
January 10, 2019 There were two highlights this week. A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was found at the Mer Bleue on the 4th, and 5 GRAY PARTRIDGE near Fernbank and Robert Grant on the 3rd. Unfortunately, neither species has been relocated. Interesting out-of-season species sightings continue, the latest being a late confirmation of a FIELD SPARROW on Trail Road on the 2nd to at least the 6th. 2 other highlights were the ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK continuing at Dewberry Trail until at least the 10th, and a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET continuing in old Ottawa South until at least the 8th. Weather again was relatively dry with a mix of thaws and very but not exceptionally cold conditions, not greatly hampering birding. Next week looks like a more prolonged period of cold. Our regional year-to-date list is now close to 80, with at least 10 others likely somewhere in the region. The latest sightings of the scarcer lingering DUCKS are as follows: · LESSER SCAUP at Britannia on the 10th. · RING-NECKED DUCK at Britannia as late as the 6th. · LONG-TAILED DUCK at Britannia on the 6th. · RING-NECKED DUCK at Britannia on the 7th. · NORTHERN PINTAIL at Billings Bridge on the 8th. · AMERICAN WIGEON at Britannia on the 6th. · GADWALL at Billings Bridge on the 4th. · WOOD DUCK at Billings Bridge on the 8th. Up to 4 GREAT BLUE HERONS continue to linger: Masson on the 4th, Marais-Trépanier on the 5th, up to 2 in Kanata as late as the 8th, and one in Stittsville on the 10th. 2 GOLDEN EAGLES on the Eardley-Masham Road on the 5th and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK at Mer Bleue on the 4th were the notables among the raptors. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER near the Champlain Bridge on the 9-10th, and one continues on Hilda road as of the 8th. A NORTHERN FLICKER was at Chapman Mills on the 8th, and the one at Trail Road continues as of the 5th. A BELTED KINGFISHER at Hurdman on the 8th was new for the year. 50+ BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were in the Shirley’s Bay area, and nearly 70 were in the Masson area, but they have generally been scattered. A CAROLINA WREN was in Russell on the 10th. 3 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS WERE near Richmond on the 7th. A HOARY REDPOLL was on Chemin Steele on the 3rd and in Carlington on the 8th. Finally, a LAPLAND LONGSPUR was on Akins Road as late as the 9th with up to 150 SNOW BUNTINGS. 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
