Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
September 5, 2019 The highlight of the week was SHOREBIRDS in general but specifically the unusually long-staying LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at Andrew Haydon Park until at least the 4th. A WHIMBREL was at Shirley’s Bay for a few hours on the 30th. Weather definitely had a late summer-early fall feel with some cooler temperatures and scattered rain. SONGBIRD and especially SHOREBIRD migration was quite noticeable. The OFNC Seedathon took place in pleasant conditions on the 1st with 12 parties participating. 130 species were tallied with good showings for RAPTORS, SHOREBIRDS and WARBLERS, but WATERFOWL were low, as expected this time of year. Speaking of SHOREBIRDS, this was an even better week than last for this group, with the 31st being an outstanding day if you timed it just right. Habitat is still excellent at Shirley’s Bay, with Andrew Haydon Park (usually east) being its equal or better at times. Parc Brébeuf has had small numbers of SHOREBIRDS this week but with good variety, so it is worth checking as long as river levels remain low. There were 6 birds of 6 species on the 4th including a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER. Unfortunately, habitat at Petrie Island has disappeared, and no other areas are particularly notable. At Andrew Haydon Park, on the 31st, in addition to the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, there was a WILSON’S PHALAROPE, up to 3 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and a RUDDY TURNSTONE, most of which disappeared in the early afternoon. At other times there were STILT and BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS. At Shirley’s Bay numbers were not as good as previously, but on the 2nd there was a STILT SANDPIPER and a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (eaten by a MERLIN). An AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was on Nixon Drive on the 2nd with 108 of this species being in the same spot on the evening of the 29th. This week in the region 22 species were reported, our best week of the year. Of WATERBIRDS, as expected, we are quite early in the season, but some early arrivals of later common species were of interest. 10+ LESSER SCAUP have been regular at Shirley’s bay. A BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON GOLDENEYE were at the Giroux Road Ponds on the 31st. Small numbers of RING-NECKED DUCKS, 1 COMMON GOLDENEYE and 2 NORTHERN PINTAIL were at Baie Noire on the 1st. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS are actively migrating. Up to 75 are being seen nightly at Britannia, with many other smaller groups have been seen in many other places, and not just in the evening. 2 BLACK TERNS were at Shirley’s Bay on the 1-2nd, which is getting late. 2 SANDHILL CRANES were in Almonte on the 1st. Many FLYCATCHERS are becoming scarce, and SWALLOWS have nearly vanished. Some sightings of the migrants include a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER on the 1 st north of Lac La Blanche and on the 3rd in the Richmond CA. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was in La Pêche on the 31st, in the Pleasant Park Area on the 1st, and on Petrie Island on the 2nd. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was at Ferme Moore on the 31st. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was near Dunrobin on the 1st, and the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues in Constance Bay as of the 3rd. The first RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET of the fall was at Chapman Mills on the 5th. Some FINCH news: An EVENING GROSBEAK was near Chelsea on the 3rd and a PINE SISKIN was at Shirley’s Bay on the 1st. WARBLER sightings have been good but not spectacular. 10-15 are being seen per trip in some of the better areas. 23 species of WARBLER have been seen this week in the region. *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
