Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
November 7, 2019 The highlight of the week was a HARLEQUIN DUCK, which was found in the swift water around the Adawe Bridge on the 2nd, and was still there on the 4 th. This was the first sighting of this species in over 2 years. Another good bird was the first sighting of the fall: 2 female CANVASBACKS at Shirley’s Bay (the inner bay) on the 4th, and at least one was still there on the 5th. This week, among the land birds only a few hardier lingering ones, fewer than usual it seems, were notable: it was quite quiet away from the water. Temperatures were below seasonal most of the week, with the first snow of the season on the 7th. Very cold weather is in the forecast for several days, so expect some freezing of shallow ponds to start and the variety of birds to drop further, especially away from the rivers. There was a good variety of WATERBIRDS this week, although the numbers were not large: about 500 at times at Shirley’s Bay, and as usual, Shirley’s Bay to Britannia was the best place. 25 species of DUCK were seen in the region this week. Up to 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYE continue at Shirley’s Bay. Up to 3 RUDDY DUCKS have been at the Moodie Drive ponds. A BLUE-WINGED TEAL at Andrew Haydon Park on the 1st was late. A ROSSES GOOSE was near Winchester on the 6th, while flocks of 100+ BRANT have been seen flying/ on the river near Andrew Haydon Park. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON at Strathcona Park and Billings Bridge on the 3 rd was late. An ICELAND GULL in the Deschênes rapids on the 3rd was the first for the fall. A last few straggling TURKEY VULTURES were soaring over the city on the 5-6 th. 2 sightings of GOLDEN EAGLE were on the 3rd over Tunney’s Pasture and on the 6th at Shirley’s Bay. Among late SHOREBIRDS, a LESSER YELLOWLEGS was in the Cumberland Forest on the 6th and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was in Sarsfield on the 6th. A few other late sightings were notable: 1. A BLUE-HEADED VIREO was on the Pinecrest Creek Pathway on the 2nd. 2. A FIELD SPARROW was at the Almonte lagoons on the 3rd. 3. 8 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS was in Almonte on the 5th. 4. A SWAMP SPARROW was at Dow’s lake on the 6th. 5. A HERMIT THRUSH was at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden on the 5th 6. A WINTER WREN was in downtown Ottawa on the 5th and another was on Petrie Island on the 6th. 7. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was at the Old Quarry trail on the 2nd. *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. 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
