Empathy List Archives

birdalert@ontbirds.ca

Ontario Rare Bird Alert

[Ontbirds] Ottawa/ Gatineau-recent reports to November 26, 2015

Gregory Zbitnew

Thu, Nov 26, 2015 9:20 PM

It has been a dull week in Ottawa with no real highlights to report. Weather remained dry with temperatures seasonal and some very mild days. Water generally remains open and there is no snow cover yet.

Although the rivers are wide open, waterbird numbers and variety have dropped significantly. Most notably, the Shirley’s Bay duck population was 500 of 11 species on the 21st and the same number and 9 species on the 24th. Regionally 20 duck species were reported this week, but COMMON GOLDENEYE, RING-NECKED DUCK, and LESSER SCAUP are 90% of the total. Up to 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYE were on the Rideau River north of Hurdman as recently as the 24th.

8000 SNOW GEESE were at Russell on the 24th, and up to 5000 CANADA GEESE with a few CACKLING GEESE recently at Andrew Haydon, and all three GREBES including PIED-BILLED were at Britannia on the 22nd. RED-THROATED LOON put in an appearance a few times off Andrew Haydon.

With all the open water GREAT BLUE HERON are still reasonably common, with 4 at Petrie Island on the 21st.

Of the 6 species of GULL seen this week, a BONAPARTE’S GULL at Andrew haydon on the 22nd was late but not exceptional. There were a significant number of HAWKS south of the airport-NORTHERN HARRIER (1), ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (4) and RED-TAILED HAWK (8). It is not known if this is due to a high rodent concentration.

Land birds were not exceptional, but there were a few interesting lingerers:

NORTHERN FLICKER at Britannia on the 21st.;
FOX SPARROW on the 21st and HERMIT THRUSH on the 24th at Shirley’s Bay;
BROWN THRASHER near Luskville on the 21st.

A RED CROSSBILL in Gatineau park (Wolf Trail on the 21st) was the most unusual finch sighting, and the first recent one. There has not been a major influx of FINCHES yet. Aside from the more common and expected ones, there were a few sightings of EVENING GROSBEAK (Carleton Place and Lac Mcgregor on the 23rd).

The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to sightings@ofnc.ca for the purpose of maintaining local records.

Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations.

Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Greg Zbitnew at k_zbitnew2@bell.net or sightings@ofnc.ca Recent sightings to November 26, 2015 It has been a dull week in Ottawa with no real highlights to report. Weather remained dry with temperatures seasonal and some very mild days. Water generally remains open and there is no snow cover yet. Although the rivers are wide open, waterbird numbers and variety have dropped significantly. Most notably, the Shirley’s Bay duck population was 500 of 11 species on the 21st and the same number and 9 species on the 24th. Regionally 20 duck species were reported this week, but COMMON GOLDENEYE, RING-NECKED DUCK, and LESSER SCAUP are 90% of the total. Up to 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYE were on the Rideau River north of Hurdman as recently as the 24th. 8000 SNOW GEESE were at Russell on the 24th, and up to 5000 CANADA GEESE with a few CACKLING GEESE recently at Andrew Haydon, and all three GREBES including PIED-BILLED were at Britannia on the 22nd. RED-THROATED LOON put in an appearance a few times off Andrew Haydon. With all the open water GREAT BLUE HERON are still reasonably common, with 4 at Petrie Island on the 21st. Of the 6 species of GULL seen this week, a BONAPARTE’S GULL at Andrew haydon on the 22nd was late but not exceptional. There were a significant number of HAWKS south of the airport-NORTHERN HARRIER (1), ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (4) and RED-TAILED HAWK (8). It is not known if this is due to a high rodent concentration. Land birds were not exceptional, but there were a few interesting lingerers: 1. NORTHERN FLICKER at Britannia on the 21st.; 2. FOX SPARROW on the 21st and HERMIT THRUSH on the 24th at Shirley’s Bay; 3. BROWN THRASHER near Luskville on the 21st. A RED CROSSBILL in Gatineau park (Wolf Trail on the 21st) was the most unusual finch sighting, and the first recent one. There has not been a major influx of FINCHES yet. Aside from the more common and expected ones, there were a few sightings of EVENING GROSBEAK (Carleton Place and Lac Mcgregor on the 23rd). The OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports owl sightings on the Internet. We will continue to encourage the reporting of owls to sightings@ofnc.ca for the purpose of maintaining local records. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations.