Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca Seasonal changes everywhere: Swamp Sparrows, hoards of Golden-crowned Kinglets, the first Ruby-crowned Kinglets, swallows, new shorebirds, and chipping sparrows no longer trip the filter--but may still trip up birders with their trills… Ross's Goose (2) Apr 06, 07, 10 Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa. Intermittent presence as the geese move back and forth to the fields. (Also on and off at this location: many ducks, snow geese, a Canada x Snow hybrid, one or more leucistic Canada Goose. Blue-phase Ross X Snow hybrid at Alfred Lagoons. Alfred is outside the OFNC 50k, but worth the drive, hosting many interesting birds this week. Trumpeter Swan (1) Apr 10, rail trail west of Stonecrest Road, Ottawa. (1) Apr 07 Ch Vanier, Gatineau. (2) Apr 07, Greenland Road, Ottawa. Eurasian x American Wigeon (1) Last report Apr 02. Kilmarnock-Causeway, Leeds and Grenville, Also outside the OFNC circle, but an interesting bird. Barrow's Goldeneye (1) Apr 09, Dow's Lake, Ottawa. First winter male plumage. (1) Apr 09, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark. Continuing female. Ruddy Duck (1) Almonte Lagoons, Lanark. Red-breasted Merganser (8) Apr 07,Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Horned Grebe (2) Shirley's Bay. Red-necked Grebe (1) Shirley's Bay. Greater Yellowlegs (2) Apr 11, Holland's Marsh, Ottawa. (13) Dilworth Road, Ottawa. (1) Apr 10, Ch. de la Rivière, Pontiac (Luskville), Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Pectoral Sandpiper (1) Apr 11, Holland's Marsh, Ottawa. Iceland Gull (1) Apr 06, Steeple Hill Cres, Ottawa. (1) Apr 05, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Black-crowned Night Heron (2) Apr 07, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Golden Eagle (1) Apr 08, Dwyer Hill Road, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker (2) Shirley's Bay, Ottawa. (1) Apr 09, Ch Fer-à-Cheval/Sentier des Libellules, Gatineau. Ruby-crowned Kinglet - A couple on the 10th, then everywhere on the 11th. Brown Thrasher (1) Apr 11, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Apr 10, Harwick Crescent, Ottawa. White-crowned Sparrow (1) Apr 11,Hamlet Rd, Ottawa. (1) Apr 07, Hiawatha Park, Ottawa. Hermit Thrush (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Apr 06, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Pine Warbler (1) Greenbelt pathway south of Davidson Road, Ottawa. At the OFNC feeder near P18. (1) Apr 11, Chemin Younger, Lac McGregor, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. (1) Apr 10, Quartier Wychwood, Aylmer, Gatineau. (1) Apr 11, Forêt Chantegrive, Gatineau. (1) Apr 10, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. Atlas note: With peak breeding season a few weeks away, the Fourth Year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is about to kick into high gear with two local events. First, if you have registered as a participant but want to know more about the Atlas and how to share your observations, the Ottawa Regional Coordinator hopes you will participate in a virtual meeting on Zoom at 1930 on Monday 15 April 2024. This meeting will also be a great opportunity for individuals who have heard about the Atlas and are curious about how they can contribute to this once in a generation opportunity to provide data that will help shape conservation efforts for years to come. Participation in this province-wide community-science effort is straight-forward, and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird. The meeting will provide an Introduction to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas in the Ottawa Region, explain how to share your observations, and entertain questions. For those who are seeking a bit of a refresher on data entry, this meeting is for you! Please contact Aaron Hywarren (Ottawa Regional Coordinator) at Ottawa@birdsontario.org for meeting details including access passcode. Second, is a special event organized by Atlas Headquarters to celebrate the start of Year Four at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville from 9:30am to 12:30pm on April 21. You’ll get a chance to learn more about the Atlas, practice atlassing, and meet other atlassers from across Eastern Ontario. For more information and to register visit: https://www.birdsontario.org/year-4-kickoff-weekend/