Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
February 21, 2018 Up to 3 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be reasonably “gettable” in Constance Bay, most often seen on a trail off Ritchie or at feeders at a nearby house. They were last seen on the 21st. An unusual mild spell has brought some early migrants to the area, but there has been nothing dramatic yet. Stay tuned as spring gets nearer. A GADWALL in Carleton Place on the 21st, as was a HOODED MERGANSER in Appleton on the same day. Both these were likely enticed by the mild spell. A BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was at the Champlain Bridge on the 17th. For the other continuing birds, the AMERICAN WIGEON continues at Britannia as of the 19th, while the NORTHERN PINTAIL continues on Iber Road as of the 17th. WOOD DUCKS continue at Billings Bridge as of the 18th. Among the other interesting sightings were: · A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER at Lac Kingsmere on the 19th. · GOLDEN EAGLE on the Eardley-Masham Road on the 19th. · 6 GRAY PARTRIDGE in Kanata on the 20th. · A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW in the Winchester area on the 18th. · A COMMON GRACKLE on Russell Road south of Mer Bleue on the 20th. 2 were in Kanata on the 21st, and these may well be early migrants, · 2 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS in Metcalfe on the 18th. · 4 LAPLAND LONGSPURS near Morewood on the 18th. There continue to be scattered reports of RED CROSSBILL, mostly in the northern areas, while there are a quite a few more of PINE SISKIN, a number of them flying over the city. 5 PINE GROSBEAKS were seen on a trail east of the Champlain Bridge on the 15th. 1 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was in Constance Bay on the 19th, while 3 were on the Eardley-Masham Road on the 17 th. 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