Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
July 18, 2019 We finally had a major highlight. A WHITE PELICAN was seen at Mooney’s Bay on the 14th, flying south. Unfortunately it was not found again. Other than this, it was again as a fairly quiet week, possibly due to continuing warm to hot conditions, and certainly partly the result of the seasonal decline of bird song. However, there are some signs of activity, most notably among the SHOREBIRDS. Water levels have been somewhat static with the precipitation this week, but there is a modest amount of habitat and a few SHOREBIRDS at Shirley’s Bay, notably a STILT SANDPIPER on the 16-18th with a few other common species. Both Embrun and St. Albert had a modest amount of habitat on 13th, but with only a few of the more common species. Other spots like Almonte, the Giroux Road Ponds and the Moodie Drive Ponds had only a handful of common species. Numbers, however, should be steadily picking up and all known or possible habitat, in particularly Shirley’s Bay, merits regular checking from now on, especially during unsettled weather. Among the WATERBIRDS, a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER at Remic Rapids on the 16th and a RING-NECKED DUCK at the Giroux Road ponds on the 14th were notable. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the Moodie Drive ponds on the 12th. 2 BLACK TERNS at were at the Almonte Lagoons on the 15th, and 2 CASPIAN TERNS were there on the 11th. LEAST BITTERN and CASPIAN TERN were at Shirley’s Bay on the 17th. RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue at Constance bay. There were 3 there on the 15th. A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was at the “Nortel” marsh on the 15th. A WILSON’S WARBLER was at the Rockcliffe Airport woods on the 13th, likely a lost bird and one of very few summer records of this species. *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
