Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler and transcriber: Greg Zbitnew at k_zbitnew2@bell.net or sightings@ofnc.ca Recent sightings to February 26, 2015 Continuing and relentless cold plagued Ottawa this week, and there were few reports. Despite this, there were a few surprises. As recently as the 22nd, both RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and LESSER SCAUP were seen at Riverside Park in Carleton Place, and on the 22nd three YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (not relocated) were seen in Gatineau. None of these species has been seen in some months. It has been speculated that the waterfowl relocated here due to a freeze-up in the Great Lakes. The warblers, however, are a bigger mystery. Of previously reported wintering waterfowl, only the NORTHERN SHOVELER was reported this week at Appaloosa Park. The GYRFALCON was seen at the Laflèche landfill on the 22nd and on the 24th a PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on the Coates Building at Tunney’s pasture. Although just outside the region, a sighting of 26 BALD EAGLES near St. Andre Avellin (northeast of Ottawa) on the 20th was an unusually large concentration. While the number is unusual, sightings of this bird are not rare in the region. The adult is strikingly marked and conspicuous and often surprises first-time viewers. However, while 20 years ago it was scarce in Ottawa, numbers have been rising and they are now uncommon fall through spring and a scarce breeder. They particularly favor areas of open water and the Gatineau escarpment, and birders can expect to see this bird in a day’s field trip, sometimes in numbers when there is fresh carrion. 4 species of GULLS were at Parc Brébeuf this week. Both Jack Pine Trail and the Steele Line area (Pontiac) had BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER on the 22nd. A flock of about 800 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen at Parc Brébeuf on the 21st, with smaller numbers east and west of there near the Ottawa River. None of these flocks are seen consistently in any spot. Finally, despite the cold, WHITE-THROATED and SONG SPARROW continue at a feeder at the Nesbitt building at Carleton University, and there was a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW with WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS at a feeder in Eastway Gardens. 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. Good birding.