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 Preliminary results of the Ottawa-Gatineau CBC of December 20, 2015 These are some preliminary results of the Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count, which took place on December 20, 2015. Official results will be published on the OFNC website in the new year. The count took place under very favorable conditions. There was little wind, moderate temperatures (and no severe cold yet this season), almost completely open water, and not only no snow cover, but the ground has not had significant snow cover yet this season, virtually unheard of. The species tally was 86, the second best showing ever. This performance was due to the large variety of lingering waterbirds, as well as the large numbers of lingerers among the land birds (the Britannia sector being particularly good), which were able to survive due to the exceptionally mild start to the winter. GULL numbers were not exceptional, winter finch numbers were rather low, and we were shut out of blackbirds. There were 7 high counts: CANADA GOOSE, HOODED MERGANSER, BUFFLEHEAD, EASTERN SCREECH OWL, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and DARK-EYED JUNCO. There were 4 new birds for the count, GOLDEN EAGLE (Gatineau), GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Britannia), WOOD THRUSH (Britannia), and CAPE MAY WARBLER (Gloucester). The last two were exceptional sightings, being by far the latest recorded in the region. Another exceptional sighting was a SWAINSON’S THRUSH at Lac Leamy in Gatineau. Some other good sightings were: 1. NORTHERN FLICKER in Gatineau 2. SNOW GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON, WINTER WREN, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, and SWAMP SPARROW in the Britannia sector. 3. GREEN-WINGED TEAL and BELTED KINGFISHER in the Ottawa sector 4. CAROLINA WREN, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and RED CROSSBILL in the Gloucester Sector. Thanks to all participants Good birding