Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club
Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec
Compiler:  Gregory Zbitnew at sightings@ofnc.ca

January 26, 2017

There were 2 highlights this week. 2 TRUMPETER SWANS were in Carleton Place
on the 22nd, and 3 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were on MacLaren’s Sideroad on
the 21st.  However, by and large, there was very little change from the
previous week.

Weather this week generally had above seasonal temperatures, and not much
precipitation, so it was fairly easy on the remaining birds and for birders
looking for them.

The uncommon overwintering DUCKS continued this week again-HARLEQUIN DUCK
at Hurdman , BUFFLEHEAD at Bate Island, WOOD DUCK and AMERICAN WIGEON at
Billings Bridge, and NORTHERN PINTAIL on Iber Road.  Joining them, a
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, rare at this time year, has made occasional
appearances on the Rideau River from Hurdman to Carleton University.

Other notable sightings this week included:

1.   2 GOLDEN EAGLES were seen from Steele Line Road on the 26th.
   

2.   9 GRAY PARTRIDGE were in the Cope Drive area on the 21st.
   

3.   Multiple sightings of both NORTHERN FLICKER and RED-BELLIED
   

WOODPECKER continue in the region.

4.   4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS are sometimes seen in the Morgan’s Grant area
   

of Kanata, most recently on the 23rd.

5.   TUFTED TITMOUSE is still being seen in Quyon and Fitzroy Harbour.
   

6.   CAROLINA WREN is still semi-regular in the Carlington area and
   

Carleton Place.

7.   Up to 2 CHIPPING SPARROWS continue at a feeder in Carleton Place
   

as late as  the 24th.

8.   A FOX SPARROW continues at a feeder in the Meadowlands Drive area
   

as of the 26th.

9.   A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was in Aylmer on the 21st.
   

10. A PURPLE FINCH was in Constance Bay on the 24th.

11. 2 PINE GROSBEAK were in Carp on the 20th.

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. We encourage everyone
to report their bird sightings on eBird for the benefit of the entire
birding community.

Good birding.

The first Saugeen Shores CBC 4 Kids was held on December 3, 2017. The small
group of participants identified and counted over 350 birds in the vicinity
of Northshore Park and the Port Elgin harbour. Highlights included Redheads
and Red-necked Grebes in the harbour, chickadees and a single White-breasted
Nuthatch. This count was open to everyone and eight species were observed
during the 45 minute walk.

Snow squalls, bus cancellations and road closures forced the cancellation of
a second count planned for a local school on Dec. 15th.

The first annual G.C. Huston CBC 4 Kids was rescheduled and held today in
Southampton. Approximately 64 students in grades 2-4 participated along with
a dozen volunteers and teachers. In 6 groups, the students birded feeders,
trees and shrubbery, and the sky along a route from G.C. Huston to the
Saugeen River and Southampton harbour, along Lake Huron to the High Street
flag, and back to the school, ending with a listing of species around a
bonfire with hot chocolate.

Highlights included chickadees (of course), a Glaucous Gull - well seen
through a scope by 4 of the 6 groups, two Bald Eagles (one adult, one
sub-adult) flying overhead, and 6 Rock Pigeons that, according to one young
girl, "Came to see our bonfire and be counted". The students will be
tallying the complete numbers from all the groups as part of their classroom
activities and results will be entered in eBird next week.

Another wonderful day!

Cindy Cartwright

Bruce Grey Bird Studies

Reconnecting children to nature through bird studies - since 2002.