Ottawa and area bird sightings to 30 December 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Many previously overlooked seasonally rare birds reported in the flurry of Christmas Bird Counts this week. More to come next week as the CBCs wrap up?
Wood Duck – Female Dec 30, Armitage Ave, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Male Dec 30, Iber Road storm pond, Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal – Dec 29, Rideau River Eastern Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. Dec 28, Etang Grimes, Gatineau.
Black Scoter – Female Dec 26, Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa.
Redhead – Dec 26, Pakenham, South of bridge; east of Co. Rd 29, Lanark.
Red-breasted Merganser – Dec 26-30, Rideau River Eastern Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Virginia Rail – Dec 23-24, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa
Northern Harrier – Dec 26, Janka Private, (Stittsville), Ottawa.
Red-shouldered Hawk – Dec 29, Trim Road near McFadden, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Dec 28, Innes Rd, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Dec 28, Aridus Cres, Ottawa. Dec 30, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dec 27, Mackey west of Malakoff, Ottawa. Dec 29, River Rd, Ottawa. Dec 28, 2021 Chemin Queen’s Park, Gatineau.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Possibly 2 adults and an immature continue at Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Dec 28-30, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Dec 24, Rivermill Cres, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Marsh Wren – Dec 27, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Dec 30 Britannia CA (around the ridge), Ottawa. Dec 24 Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Brown Thrasher – Dec 29, Alcove, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Gray Catbird – Laderoute Ave, Ottawa, at least until Dec 30. Dec 28 Balena Park, Ottawa.
Swamp Sparrow – Dec 24-29, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – A pair, Dec 29, Richmond, Ottawa. Dec 27, Huntmar Drive, Ottawa. Dec 30, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – 28, Constance Lake Rd, Ottawa. Woodkilton Road, Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird – Dec 28, Torbolton Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 23 December 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Wood Duck – Dec 17, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – 34 on Dec 17, Constance Bay Rd, Ottawa.
Virginia Rail – A real surprise at Nortel Marsh, Ottawa, Dec 23.
Purple Sandpiper – Dec 18, Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa.Glaucous Gull – Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Double-crested Cormorant – Dec 18, Bren-Maur Rd, Ottawa.
Great Blue Heron – Dec 19, Musée canadien de la nature, Gatineau.
Northern Harrier – Dec 23, Janka Pvt, (Stittsville), Ottawa. Dec 18, Perth Wildlife Reserve, Lanark. Also one on Dec 19th on Conroy Road at Davidson, Ottawa.
Red-shouldered x Red-tailed Hawk – For the hawk lovers, not the listers. Hanging around for a while, most recently reported from Algonquin College on Dec 21.Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dec 22, Manotick, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – At least 2 continue, Constance Bay, Ottawa: Len Purcell Dr, Ritchie Ave, etc.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Dec 19, Sentier du corridor Champlain, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – The pair at Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa, continues. Dec 19, Rivermill Cres, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Dec 18, Britannia CA, Ottawa, just east of the filtration plant.
Hermit Thrush – Begonia Ave, Polanyi Rd, and Britannia CA (around the ridge), Ottawa. Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, and Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau.
Eastern Bluebird – 9 on Dec 22, Osgoode Trail. Also seen on McCaffrey Trail, on the Jock trail, and onGaletta Side Rd, all Ottawa. A pair at the Perth Wildlife Reserve, Lanark
Gray Catbird – Hanging tough off Laderoute Ave, Ottawa, at least until Dec 23. Dec 22 Balena Park, Ottawa. Another in the Hurdman Woods near the 417.
Evening Grosbeaks – At least one lingered at the Mer Bleue Bog feeder, Ottawa, until Dec 18.
White-winged Crossbill – A flyover on Dec 21 along the Kerwin Rd Trail, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Single birds counted on CBCs, one in Stony Swamp on the 18th (on NCC 27 near post D), and another near Mer Bleue.
Chipping Sparrow – Dec 21, Viewbank Rd, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – Dec 23, Manotick, Ottawa. A flock of 25 at the Tim Hortons on Perth Street Ottawa on Dec 18.
Common Grackle – 70 flocking with the Red-winged Blackbirds at the same Tim Hortons.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dec 19, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau. A second individual nearby on the Sentier des Voyageurs near the Pont Champlain.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 16 December 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Northern Pintail – 2 at the Iber Road storm pond, Ottawa. 14 on Dec 15 at Armitage Ave (Dunrobin), Ottawa. A single bird Dec 12, Etang Grimes, Gatineau
Wood Duck – A pair Dec 13, Sawmill Creek at Goth Avenue Ottawa.
Brant – 17 very late birds reported on Dec 13, Chapman Mills CA, Ottawa.
Cackling Goose – Dec 15, (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa. Dec 16, fields on way into Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Dec 10, Etang Grimes, Gatineau.
Glaucous Gull – Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dec 11 Manotick, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – A pair! Dec 10, Reveler CA, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, Dec 10 at the turtle bridge, Dec 14 at the drainage creek, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Dec 10, Continue at Britannia CA, Ottawa, and Dec 11-12 Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Eastern Bluebird – 5 Dec 15, McCaffrey Trail, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird – Laderoute Ave, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeaks – Back at the Mer Bleue Bog feeder, Ottawa.
Savannah Sparrow – Dec 12, Innes, Gloucester, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – Dec 11, Cumberland Village, Ottawa. Reported Dec 10, Manotick, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Reported Dec 09, Nepean Creek, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dec 15, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 9 December 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Ruddy Duck – Continues Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Northern Pintail – Single birds at Britannia CA, and the Iber Road storm pond, Ottawa. This small patch of water can have huge numbers of ducks in winter. A whole flock of Pintails on Dec 6 at Armitage Ave (Dunrobin), Ottawa.
Brant – One bird, Nov 21-Dec 05, Rideau Canoe Club/Mooney’s Bay Park, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – Dec 08, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-throated Loon – Continues Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Manotick, Ottawa.
Say’s Phoebe – The very tough Say’s Phoebe returned to the Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa, for a one-day repeat performance on Dec 04.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Dec 03, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Continue on Dec 09 at Britannia CA, Ottawa, and Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. Dec 04, Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau.
Red-winged Blackbird – Dec 05, Akins at Shea, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 2 December 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Have a local photo you want to share with the birding community? Send your photo to sightings@ofnc.ca. Weekly photos are chosen for a random combination of seasonality, rarity, demonstration of behaviour or id features, beauty, composition, how recently this species has been featured, and whim. Mostly whim. Please include date, location, and photographer’s name. Ideally photos should be at most 1200 pixels long on the longest edge.
Ruddy Duck – Continues Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Northern Shoveler – Nov 26, Dow’s lake, Ottawa.
Wood Duck – A female hanging tough at Dow’s Lake to Dec 02, Ottawa. Another or the same bird, Nov 30, Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Dec 01, Giroux Road Ponds, Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Two continued to Nov 28, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Brant – One bird, Nov 21-Dec2, Rideau Canoe Club/Mooney’s Bay Park, Ottawa.
Cackling Goose – Dec 01, PN de Plaisance–Tête de la Baie, Papineau. Nov 29, Sentier des Voyageurs, Gatineau, and all over Ottawa.
American Coot – Dec 02, Mooney’s Bay Park, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane – A flock of 250! Nov 27-28, Lalonde Road, Clarence Creek, Prescott and Russell.
Glaucous Gull – Nov 20-30, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-throated Loon – Instead of the usual single birds, at least 120 migrated through on Nov 26, seen from both sides of the river at Shirleys Bay.
Golden Eagle – Nov 27, Remic Rapids, Ottawa. Dec 01, Giroux Road Ponds, Ottawa.Northern Goshawk – Nov 28, Quarry concession 5A, Lanark.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues at Constance Bay (Goodin St), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Baie Noire, Papineau.
Northern Shrike – Dec 01, Rifle Road near Carling, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Nov 27, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Marsh Wren – Nov 30, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Hermit Thrush – To Dec 01, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Concession Roads 5A, 7B, and 9, Lanark. Woodkilton Rd, Ottawa. Osgoode Trail, Ottawa.
Song Sparrow – Nov 30, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Common Grackle – Nov 28, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Nov 29, Forêt Chantegrive, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 25 November 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Northern Shoveler – A male and female pair, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa.
Ruddy Duck – Continues off the Sentier des Voyageurs, Gatineau.
Ross’s Goose – Continued at Moodie Drive Quarry until Nov 21.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Nov 21, Quarry Lake , Prescott and Russell. Up to 5, Nov 21-22, Moodie Road Pond, Ottawa. Nov 22, Anderson at Russell, Ottawa.
Brant – One bird, Nov 21-25, Rideau Canoe Club/Hog’s Back road, Ottawa.
Cackling Goose – Nov 23, off Martin St, Almonte, Lanark.
Trumpeter Swan – To Nov 19, Marlborough Forest–Roger’s Pond, Ottawa. Nov 21, Eagleson at Fallowfield, Ottawa.
American Coot – Britannia CA, Nov 23-24. Nov 23 Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Dunlin – Nov 20, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull – Nov 20, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – Nov 20-23, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Lesser Black-backed, Great Black-backed, and Iceland reported as well.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Nov 21, Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Nov 21, Earl Armstrong Road, Ottawa. Nov 22, Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues at Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Say’s Phoebe – Great views and photos for some birders, tantalizing glimpses for others, Nov 16-22, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-eyed Vireo – Nov 20-21, Fisher Heights, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Nov 21, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, Ottawa. Wolf Grove Road, Lanark.
Carolina Wren – Conroy Pit, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Nov 20, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa. Nov 21, Britannia CA, Ottawa. Nov 23, Sentier des Pionniers (Parc de la Gatineau), Gatineau.
Wood Thrush – Nov 23, Ch Cowden, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Brown Thrasher – Nov 23, Rue Denise-Friend, Gatineau.
White-winged Crossbill – Nov 20, Ramsay Con. 5A, Lanark.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – Dead birds don’t show up in eBird, but a recently predated individual was found in Lanark this week.
White-crowned Sparrow – Nov 19, Rue de Bourgogne, Gatineau. Nov 24, Sentier des Voyageurs, Gatineau.
Fox Sparrow – Nov 22, Fine Estate, Ottawa. Nov 22-23, Kanata Lakes, Ottawa.
Blackburnian Warbler – Nov 21, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Nov 19, Val-Tétreau, Gatineau.
Common Yellowthroat – Nov 21, Stony Swamp (Lime Kiln Trail), Ottawa.
ID these late warblers carefully. November is for vagrants.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 18 November 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A fantastic week of birding. November is for vagrants: SAY’S PHOEBE, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, SLATY-BACKED GULL, and RED PHALAROPE. Winter finches continue to trickle in.
Blue-winged Teal – Nov 14, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa.
Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser – A very striking (if uncountable) bird for the duck connoisseur, continues at the Pont Champlain, Gatineau.
Ruddy Duck – Continues at the Cabane Beige, Gatineau.
Ross’s Goose – Continued at Moodie Drive Quarry until Nov 14. County Road 31, Winchester, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Nov 17.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Nov 13, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Nov 16, Marlborough Forest–Roger’s Pond, Ottawa.
Pied-billed Grebe – Continues at Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane – 600 on Nov 16 at Lalonde and Labelle, Prescott and Russell. Not exactly eBird rare, but those are astounding numbers for Eastern Ontario, and an amazing sight and sound.
RED PHALAROPE – Nov 16, Remic Rapids, Ottawa.
Killdeer – Nov 14, Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE – A first winter bird Nov 13, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
SLATY-BACKED GULL – Continues at Moodie Drive Quarry, Oct 08-Nov 17 at least.
Turkey Vulture – Nov 14, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Reported Nov 16, Lalonde Road, Clarence Creek, Prescott and Russell.
SAY’S PHOEBE – A stunning county first record, Nov 16-18, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, and Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – Nov 18, Woodgate Way, Ottawa
White-winged Crossbill – Nov 16, Ramsay Con. 5A, The Quarry, Lanark.
Red Crossbill – Nov 13, Hammond, Ontario.
White-crowned Sparrow – Nov 17, Rue de Bourgogne, Gatineau.
Blackburnian Warbler – Nov 14, Rockcliffe Airport, Ottawa. Will this be the last non-yellow-rumped warbler of the year?
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 11 November 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Blue-winged Teal – Nov 06, Dow’s lake/Rideau Canal, Ottawa. Nov 10, Champlain Street Marsh, Ottawa.
Ruddy Duck – Continues at Baie Simard (and downriver), Gatineau.
Ross’s Goose – Continued at Moodie Drive Quarry until Nov 06.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Nov 06, Hanson Brick Quarry, Prescott and Russell.
Pied-billed Grebe – Nov 06-09 at Britannia CA. To Nov 10 at Constance Creek, Ottawa.
Red-throated Loon – Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Red Phalarope – Nov 06-07, Baie Simard, Gatineau, and Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Slaty-backed Gull – Continues at Moodie Drive Quarry, Oct 08-Nov 11. How long will this awesome gull hang around?
Iceland Gull – Nov 09, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Red-throated Loon – To Nov 10, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Nov 06-08, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Nov 07 Constance Lake, Ottawa. Nov 07 and 10, Pinhey’s Point Historic Site, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay (at least 1 adult and 2 immature birds continue around Goodin St.), Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Nov 09, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Jack Pine Trail, Britannia CA, and Cooper St, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Fine Estate, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Bruce Pit, Britannia CA), Remic Rapids Lookout, andRockcliffe Airport Woods, all Ottawa.
Eastern Phoebe – Nov 06, Britannia CA. Nov 07, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Nov 09, Crazy Horse Trail, Ottawa. Nov 07-08, Osgoode Trail, Ottawa. As many as 9 birds, Nov 05-08, Pinhey’s Point Historic Site, Ottawa. Will they winter at this location again? Nov 08, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Nov 10, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Bike Path, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 4 November 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
FORSTER’S TERN and LITTLE GULL cruelly taunt birders with brief fly-by. RAZORBILL and SLATY-BACKED GULL continue. Golden eagles pass through. Sandhill Cranes stage. Winter finches arrive in small numbers.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continues in the Bate Island/Remic Rapids area.
Blue-winged Teal – Oct 29 – Nov 01 at Constance Creek, Ottawa. Nov 02, South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa.
Ruddy Duck – Continues at Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Ross’s Goose – Continues at Moodie Drive Quarry Nov 04.
White-rumped Sandpiper – Oct 28 – Nov 02 Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
RAZORBILL – Oct 10-Nov 02 at least. Constance Bay to Champlain Bridge, seen from both sides of the river.
FORSTER’S TERN – Nov 02, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
LITTLE GULL – Nov 02, Andrew Haydon park, with the Forster Tern in a flock of Bonaparte’s.
SLATY-BACKED GULL – Continues at Moodie Drive Quarry, Oct 08-Nov 04.
Iceland Gull – Nov 03, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Red-throated Loon – Nov 03, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Oct 31, Britannia CA, Ottawa. Nov 03, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – 1-3 birds a day, Oct 30-Nov 03, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Nov 04, Baxter Conservation Area, Ottawa.
Blue-headed Vireo – Oct 31, Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Eastern Phoebe – Oct 29, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Oct 28, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Purple Finch – Nov 02, Hammond, Prescott and Russell. Bruce Pit, Ottawa. Crazy Horse Trail, Ottawa.
Eastern Meadowlark – Nov 03, Carp Rd, south east of Kinburn, Ottawa
Blackburnian Warbler – Oct 28, Lac Meech, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Northern Parula – Oct 29, Britannia CA (Woods), Ottawa.
Cape May Warbler – Nov 04, Kitchissippi Lookout, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 28 October 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
RAZORBILL and SLATY-BACKED GULL continue. The warblers are gone.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Oct 24-27, Bate Island.
Ruddy Duck – Oct 24, 27, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Ross’s Goose – Continues at Barnsdale at Eagleson, Ottawa. Spotted at Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa, Oct 22.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Oct 23-24, Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Trumpeter Swan – Pair Oct 23, Hwy #7 east of Ashton Rd cut-off, Ottawa. Oct 25 Fine Estate, Ottawa.
White-rumped Sandpiper – Oct 28 Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa
RAZORBILL – Oct 10-28 Constance Bay to Champlain Bridge, seen from both sides of the river.
SLATY-BACKED GULL – Seen from the Moodie Drive Quarry and Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa, Oct 08-28. Often on the large sand piles with a mix of other gulls.
Red-throated Loon – Oct 27, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Northern Goshawk – Oct 24, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau. Oct 27, Chemin Younger, Lac McGregor, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Oct 23 Moorehead Drive, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Oct 25,Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Blue-headed Vireo – Oct 23, Sentier des Voyageurs, between Parc Brébeuf and the Pont Champlain, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – St Joseph Blvd, Ottawa. Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Oct 23, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Oct 27, Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa.
Northern Parula – Oct 22, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa. Oct 23 Britannia near the platform in the woods. Oct 27, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Oct 27,Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 21 October 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
NORTHERN GANNET shows up for a scant five minutes! RAZORBILL and SLATY-BACKED GULL continue! The ducks are back with all three scoters at Shirley’s Bay, and all warblers except Yellow-rumped are now eBird rare.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Oct 20-21, Rapides Deschênes,Gatineau.
Ross’s Goose – Barnsdale at Eagleson. Moodie Drive Quarry.
Tundra Swan – A pair Oct 17-20 at Andrew Haydon, Ottawa. Possibly the same pair at Chapman Mill’s CA on Oct 18.
Sora – Oct 15, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper – Oct 16, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa. Britannia Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa. Oct 19, Nolan Quarry, Prescott and Russell.
Semipalmated Plover – Oct 17, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
RAZORBILL – At least one lingered until Oct 10-21 Constance Bay to Champlain Bridge, seen from both shores of the river.
SLATY-BACKED GULL – Seen from the Moodie Drive Quarry and Trail Road Landfill, Oct 08-21. Patience and a scope may be required.
NORTHERN GANNET – A juvenile Oct 17 flying west from Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Red-throated Loon – A pair Oct 15, Parc des Cèdres, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – Lismer Crescent, Kanata, Ottawa. Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Rue Lake, Gatineau. Parc du Lac-Beauchamp, Gatineau.
House Wren – Parc du Marais de Touraine, Gatineau.
Swainson’s Thrush – Oct 15, 19, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Gray-cheeked Thrush – Oct 20, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Oct 16, Stittsville Main St, Ottawa. Oct 17, Nepean Tent and Trailer Campgrounds, Ottawa. Oct 17, Maple Grove Rd, Ottawa. Oct 20, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler – Oct 18, Arboretum, Ottawa. Oct 19. Britannia CA , Ottawa. CISCO campus, Innovation Dr, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Oct 19, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler – Oct 15, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Oct 20, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa
Common Yellowthroat – Oct 15, Giroux Road Ponds, Ottawa.
Northern Parula – Oct 15-19, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Magnolia Warbler – Oct 17, Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Black-throated Blue Warbler – Oct 14, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Black-throated Green Warbler – Oct 15, Clayton Rd, Navan, Ottawa. Oct 20, CISCO campus, Innovation Dr, Ottawa.
Palm Warbler (Western) – Oct 17, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Bike Path, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 14 October 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
RAZORBILL and SLATY-BACKED GULL!
Ross’s Goose – Oct 08 Moodie Road Pond. Oct 08-09 Moodie Drive Quarry. Oct 11 Bankfield Road near Rideau valley Drive. Oct 13 Ottawa St and Eagleson Rd. All Ottawa.
Solitary Sandpiper – Oct 12 Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper – Oct 13 Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
RAZORBILL – At least 9, appearing all along the river from Constance Bay to Rapides Deschênes, Oct 10-14, seen from both sides of the river.
SLATY-BACKED GULL – Reported from Moodie Pond, Moodie Drive Quarry, Trail Road Landfill, south of Brophy Drive, and occasionally the Ottawa River at Shirley’s Bay and elsewhere, Oct 08-14. Lots of Lesser Black-backed Gulls around for comparison. Most frequently reported from Trail Road, Ottawa.
Red-throated Loon – Oct 11, Andrew Haydon park, Ottawa.
Rough-legged Hawk – Oct 14, Holland’s Marsh (Hwy 17), Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Parc du Lac-Beauchamp, Gatineau.
Eastern Wood-Pewee – Oct 11 Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Brown Thrasher – Oct 11 Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), and another in Orleans, Ottawa.
Wood Thrush – Oct 08 Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa.
Gray-cheeked Thrush – Oct 11 Parc Jacques-Cartier, Gatineau.
Red-eyed Vireo – Oct 12 CISCO campus, Innovation Dr, Ottawa.
Northern Shrike – Oct 09 Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa. Oct 11 Vances Side Rd, Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow – Continued at Constance Creek until at least Oct. 11.
Tennessee Warbler – Oct 08 Fletcher Wildlife Gardens, 08-09 Britannia CA (general location), Oct 11 Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. Oct 12 CISCO campus, Innovation Dr, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat – Oct 09 Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Oct 11 TransCanada Trail at Island Park Dr, and at Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Oct 12 CISCO campus, Innovation Dr, Ottawa.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – Reported Oct 08, South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 7 October 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Sure the warblers are almost gone, but the ducks are increasing.
Cackling Goose – Oct 04, just south of forêt Boucher, Gatineau.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Oct 01, route 148, Papineau.
Greylag Goose – A Greylag Goose with wild characteristics was reported on Sept. 30 in Embrun. This species is not on the Ontario list yet.
Gray Partridge – Photographed Oct 03, Giroux Road, Ottawa.
Solitary Sandpiper – Oct 05, Ottawa Business Park Woods, Ottawa.
Green Heron – Oct 03, CP storm pond, Lanark.
Golden Eagle – Oct 07, Kinburn Side Rd, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Reported Oct 05, at the Hilda Road feeders, Ottawa.
House Wren – Oct 04, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau. Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Veery – Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Warbling Vireo – Oct 02, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Pine Siskin – A flock of 25! Oct 01, Rue du Pavillon, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow – Continuing to Oct 07 at the usual spot in Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow – Quarry on concession 5A, Lanark. Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Cannonball trail, Ottawa (South March Highlands Conservation Forest).
Grasshopper Sparrow – Ottawa St west of Joy’s Rd, Ottawa.
Hybrid European Goldfinch x Canary – Half Moon Bay Park to Stonebridge Trail Park, Ottawa. A beautiful–if uncountable–escapee.
Black-and-white Warbler – Oct 04, Mud Lake, Ottawa. Oct 5, Richmond, Ottawa.
Scarlet Tanager – Oct 06, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Northern Wheatear – A late report of a bird that put in a one-day appearance on Sept 28 in Dunrobin.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 30 September 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The fall turnover in species continues. Fox Sparrows are passing through. Duck and goose counts are increasing, and only the later warblers are still around. Now is the time to find your Orange-crowned Warbler.
Surf Scoter – Sep 25, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Snow Goose – Sep 24, A pair on Chemin de la Rivière, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Sep 26, Stanley Park, Ottawa.
Red Phalarope – Sep 25. Locally rarest of the phalaropes, this bird was found by boat on the Ottawa River at Lac Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and later seen from shore from Voisine Road, Prescott and Russell
Long-billed Dowitcher – Reported Sep 25-26, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Caspian Tern – A late Caspian Sep 25-27, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Rough-legged Hawk – A dark morph early migrant at Dick Bell Park, Ottawa, on Sep 29.
Red-headed Woodpecker – 6 continue in Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, near Henley and Alpine, Ottawa.
Wood Thrush – Richmond, Knights Drive, and Mud Lake, all Ottawa.
Gray-cheeked Thrush – Sep 26, Wright Lake (Private), Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Rue Paradis, Gatineau. Sep 27, Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau. Three reported pre-dawn Sep 30 just south of Forêt Boucher, Gatineau. One at Bruce Pit, Ottawa, Sep 30.
Veery – Sep 30, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa,
Least Flycatcher – Sep 26, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Sep 28, Forêt Boucher, Gatineau.
Great Crested Flycatcher – Sep 27, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa, at the Hilda Road feeders, and on Britannia Ridge, Ottawa. Fine Estate, Ottawa. Still lots on the Carp Barrens.
Nelson’s Sparrow – Sep 25-29. At least 4 Continuing at the usual spot in Constance Bay, Ottawa. Please respect the habitat. 12 reported by boat on Sep 25 in Baie Lafontaine, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow – Mud Lake, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, and at the feeder on the bog trail at Mer Bleu, all Ottawa.
Yellow Warbler – A late bird Sep 25, at Baie Lafontaine, Ottawa.
Ovenbird – Shirley’s Bay, Britannia CA, and in Clyde Woods, Ottawa.
Mourning Warbler – Sep 26, Andrew Haydon Park east (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 23 September 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
White-winged Scoter – Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Cackling Goose – Six on Sep 21, Moodie Road Pond, Ottawa. One at Vincent Massey/Hog’s Back Parks, Ottawa, Sep. 8.
Ross’s Goose – 17-18, Parc Brebeuf, Gatineau. Same bird seen from the Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa. One Sep 18, Quarry Lake ( Russell ), Prescott and Russell.
Trumpeter Swan – A pair of adults, Sep 21, Roger’s Pond, Ottawa.
Baird’s Sandpiper – Sep 17, Andrew Haydon Park east (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa. Sep 18, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Red-necked Phalarope – Sep 17, Andrew Haydon Park east (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Adults and immatures continue at Constance bay (Ritchie Street), but more exciting on Sep 17, a single bird showed up at a feeder on Clarence Cambridge Boundary Rd, Prescott and Russell.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Sep 18-19, 2021 09:14 by Richard Rowlee, Britannia CA, Ottawa. Apparently seen inside the Yacht Club from Britannia CA.
Cliff Swallow – Three seen at Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa, on Sep 23.
Northern Mockingbird – Went unreported at the usual spot on Perrault Rd. this year, but was seen nearby on Sep 18, on Frank Kenny Rd, Ottawa. Was it there all summer or a migrant?
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Sep 20, Birchgrove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – Sep 19-20, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa, at the Hilda Road feeders. One on the Rideau Trail near Heaphy Road heading towards Kingston, on Sep. 23.
Notice: Did you lose a scope around Crysler recently? Send an email to sightings@ofnc.ca and a kind birder will help reunite you.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 16 September 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Shorebird migration picked up. Who needs Shirley’s Bay when the birds are showing up anywhere along the river? Look for birds who keep the same migration schedule such as American Pipits.
Cackling Goose – Sep 15 One early bird seen from both the Moodie Drive Quarry and Barnsdale Road, Ottawa.
American Golden-Plover – Sep 6-10, Carleton Place Stormwater pond, Lanark. Sep 12: Régimbald Road (SW of Dunning), Moodie Quarry, and Scrivens Street, all Ottawa. Sep 15 in the field SE of Brophy & Twin Elm, Ottawa.
Black-bellied Plover – Scriven’s Street, Ottawa, Sep 12.
Sanderling – Ottawa beach, Sep. 12.
Pectoral Sandpiper – Scrivens Street, Ottawa, Sep 12.
Ruddy Turnstone – Sep 10 Deschênes Rapids, Gatineau.
Red-necked Phalarope – A juvenile stayed Sep 11-14 at Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Baird’s Sandpiper – Sep 14 Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau, Sep 15 Moodie Drive Quarry, and Sep 16 on Scrivens Street and Andrew Haydon Park East (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Sep 11-12, Britannia CA (on the ridge). Sep 15 TransCanada Trail and NCC 24, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Reported Sep 13, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Gray-cheeked Thrush – Reported Sep 14, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau, and Sep 16 Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau.
White-winged Crossbill – Sep 14, Kitchissippi Lookout, Ottawa. Sep 15, Constance Creek Mouth (Constance Bay).
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 9 September 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 2 September 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 26 August 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Migration continues with reports of kinglets and juncos trickling in and Common Nighthawks everywhere. North winds and cooling temps tease the possibility of many more migrants starting Friday morning. Possible rain Saturday and Sunday could drop some very interesting birds. Don’t commit to cleaning out the garage this weekend.
Horned Grebe – Continued until Aug 21, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Least Bittern – Rideau River near Lock 13, Ottawa.
Baird’s Sandpiper – Two during Aug 21-25, Carleton Place, at the Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – One or two continue in the Deschênes Rapids, countable from either side of the river. Several at the Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – 8 reported from Constance Bay Ottawa (Spinnaker Way, also Bayview Drive), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Heard on chemin du Lac-Taylor, Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais (i.e., Gatineau Park).
Philadelphia Vireo – Shirley’s Bay, Andrew Haydon Park, Britannia CA (check the sumac field or buckthorn patches), Champlain Park Woods, Champlain Street Marsh, all Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Aug 20-25, 2021 – Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa, Ontario. Check the path behind the houses on the western edge, south of the sumac field.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Reported from Old Prospect Road, Ottawa. Vincent Massey/Hog’s Back Parks, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Trend Arlington Park, Ottawa. Hidden Lake Trail (Carp), Ottawa.
Dark-eyed Junco – Pakenham Concession 9, Lanark. Athlone Avenue, Ottawa. Ottawa St. west of Joy’s Road, Ottawa. Cooper St., Ottawa.
eBird Tip from the local reviewers: When recording data in eBird, only use subspecies when you are sure you can identify them (Yellow-shafted Flicker or Oregon Junco for example). Many subspecies listed on eBird cannot be easily identified based on morphology and cause headaches and unnecessary follow ups for reviewers (Sandhill Crane subspecies for example). Just go with the species unless you are sure of the subspecies.
Atlas tip: You can provide essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come by taking 90 seconds to share your eBird checklist with the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Data compilation for this Atlas year will be underway shortly, and submitting your records by August 31 is particularly helpful.
For more information visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 19 August 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Common Goldeneye – One continues off Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Least Bittern – Continues at Petrie Island, Ottawa. Reported from Andrew Hayden Park.
But what about the shorebirds? Scattered here and there. Check out the shores of the Ottawa river, Moodie Drive Quarry, the Crysler Waterfall, or any stormwater system in the region.
Red-necked Phalarope – One to three birds, Aug 17-19, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Seen at different times from the Moodie or Barnsdale gates. Scope recommended.
Long-billed Dowitcher – The Crysler Waterfall bird – best seen from the bridge – was last reported on the 13th.
Short-billed Dowitcher – The other Crysler Waterfall bird was last reported on the 19th. The Andrew Haydon bird was last reported on the 15th.
Stilt Sandpiper – The other-other Crysler Waterfall bird was last reported on the 18th.
Baird’s Sandpiper – 17-19 Aug. Moodie drive Quarry.
Horned Grebe – Aug 17-18, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Aug 19, Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Red-necked Grebe – A pair seen Aug 13, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – At least one continues to be seen in the Deschênes Rapids, countable from either side of the river. As many as 11 seen at Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – A half dozen birds reported from Constance Bay Ottawa (Spinnaker Way, also Bayview Drive), Ottawa. The Chemin Sauve/Watson/Symphonie bird in Val-des-monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, resurfaced after a long period with no reports.
Philadelphia Vireo – Shirley’s Bay, Andrew Haydon Park, Britannia CA (on the ridge, in the buckthorn forest to the West, Champlain Park Woods, Champlain Street Marsh, all Ottawa. Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau. Chemin Younger, Lac McGregor, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Trend Arlington Park, Ottawa. Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Reported in Ottawa from: Nepean tent and trailer campgrounds, Britannia CA (the western sumac fields, where there are lots of Least Flycatchers for comparison, and the ridge), Champlain Park Woods, Dolman Ridge Road, Rockcliffe Airport Woods.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Aug 13, Ramsay Concession 5A quarry trail, Lanark.
eBird tip from the local reviewers: You may have noticed some issues with eBird this week, including changes to your list tallies and problems submitting lists. Not to worry; this is due to their annual taxonomic update, it should settle down in a week or so. The good news for world listers: you are likely to have gained a few species!
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 12 August 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
What a difference a week makes – Philadelphia Vireos and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers for everyone.
Bufflehead – A lone female at the Almonte Lagoons, Lanark, continued to at least Aug. 7.
Common Goldeneye – A female type at Andrew Haydon Park. Another sighting at Mooney’s Bay, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Brassils Creek/Marsh via Flood Rd, Ottawa.
Red-necked Phalarope – Three on Aug. 9-10, at the Alfred Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. Outside the OFNC circle , but this year you take your shorebirds where you can find them!
Sanderling – Aug. 9-10, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau. On the rocks with other shorebirds.
White-rumped Sandpiper – Crysler, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Long-billed Dowitcher – Crysler, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. The shorebirds in Crysler are at the waterfall, not the lagoons, which are off-limits to birders.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Hanging with the Great Black-backed Gulls, Britannia CA, Ottawa, in the Deschênes rapids.
Bonaparte Gull – Continued at the Carleton Place Drainage Pond, Lanark, at least until Aug. 8. Four were seen at the Moodie Drive Pond, Ottawa.
Least Bittern – Between the Black Rapids lockstation on the Rideau Canal (Lock 13), and Eccolands Park, Ottawa. Another one calling from the wetland off Stonecrest, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane – A pair over March Road just north east of Burnt Lands, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – As usual in the Richie/Whistler area of Constance Bay, Ottawa. Twelve birds counted this year.
Philadelphia Vireo – Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa. Two in Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – A pair with a juvenile in Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks (at the twin bridge). Forêt Boucher, Gatineau (near the Antoine Boucher entrance).
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Britannia CA. Richmond–Fox Run storm water ponds, Ottawa.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Aug 10, Marais aux grenouillettes, Gatineau.
Dark-eyed Junco – Immature reported in Chapel Hill, Ottawa.
Wilson Warbler – An early bird reported from Domaine de la ferme Moore, Gatineau.
You can provide essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come by taking 90 seconds to share your eBird checklist with the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
For more information visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 5 August 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Not a lot of rare bird reports, but diversity picked up nicely this week, with over 150 species reported including at least 15 species of warbler. Lots of local first-year birds to add to the ID confusion.
Bufflehead – A lone female at the Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Lesser Scaup – One bird at Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull – Single birds, or one well-traveled individual: Moodie Drive Quarry, also near Remic Rapids on the Ottawa River, and Britannia Conservation Area, all Ottawa. Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, and Trend Arlington Park, Ottawa.
Sedge Wren – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Reported from Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Reported July 30, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 29 July 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Mostly still local breeders, but an increase in returning warblers.
Sandhill Crane – March Road, northeast of Burnt Lands, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull – McNeely Ave., Carleton Place, Lanark.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa. At least two juveniles have fledged.
Philadelphia Vireo – A very early bird photographed at Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa (see photo above).
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Faraday St., Ottawa. Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau.
Sedge Wren – Dunrobin, near the West Carleton Secondary School, Ottawa.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Carbine Road & Trail, Lanark.
White-winged Crossbill – A flock of 15 in Pakenham, Lanark. A smaller flock on Berry Side road, near Constance Lake, Ottawa.
Northern Parula – Suddenly everywhere! Too many to list. Go find your own.
Tennessee Warbler – Britannia Conservation Area, Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Greenbelt Trail 51, all Ottawa.
You can provide essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come by taking 90 seconds to share your eBird checklist with the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
For more information visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 22 July 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Ruddy Duck – Continues at Centrepointe Park, Ottawa. May require patience or moving to another vantage to see this small duck, somehow hiding in a tiny pond.
Gray Partridge – Last reported in February, at least one ninja grouse survived the winter and popped on July 17, on Huvelmans north of Magladry, Ottawa.
White-winged Dove – Seen by many observers July 18-19, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Reported near Chemin Klock and Chemin Cook, Gatineau.
Golden Eagle – Reported Jul 18, Weedmark Road, Smiths Falls, Lanark.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Montague Boundary Road, Ottawa.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Reported July 20, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa (singing east of the playground). Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau.
Sedge Wren – Panmure Road, southwest of Upper Dwyer Hill. Multiple birds on Sturgess Road, Montague. Blakeney Road, Pakenham, all in Lanark.
White-winged Crossbill – One continues on Ramsay Concession 5A, Mississippi Mills, Lanark. Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Another in the Carp area near the Crazy Horse Trail, Ottawa. Larose Forest (Indian Creek Road corner), Prescott and Russell.
Rusty Blackbird – A trio in the Lindenlea area, Ottawa.
Northern Parula – Richmond CA, Ottawa. Britannia CA (woods). Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa. And so the warbler migration begins.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 15 July 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A trickle of migrating shorebirds and warblers. But lots of fledglings and parenting behaviour to enjoy.
Redhead – Reported July 12, from Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Seen at the mouth of Pinecrest Creek.
Ruddy Duck – July 15, Centrepointe Park, Ottawa.
Semipalmated Plover – July 11, Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull – July 10, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Black Tern – Not eBird rare, but hard enough to see in Ottawa in July. Heaphy Road, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Rockcliffe, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Mooney’s Bay Park, Ottawa. Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau.
Sedge Wren – July 09, Panmure Road, southwest of Upper Dwyer Hill, Lanark. July 11, Sturgess Road, Montague, Lanark.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill – July 10, Ramsay Concession 5A, Mississippi Mills, Lanark. A single female. Might there be more?
Tennessee Warbler – July 12, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 8 July 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Shortest report in months, but some early migrants such as a Northern Parula. Can the fall flood be far behind? Look for some returning shorebirds this week.
Short-billed Dowitcher – Reported along the Ottawa river. Not unexpected for this time of year, but hopefully a harbinger of good things to come.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Continued until at least July 3 on Stonecrest Road (at the railway tracks), Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Wychwood, Gatineau. Sentier des Voyageurs near the Champlain bridge, Gatineau. Recreational trail, Russell, Prescott and Russell.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill – July 4, Quigley Hill Road, Ottawa. If there is at least one White-winged Crossbills in Ottawa, and Red Crossbills just outside the OFNC circle in Lanark, are we sure there aren’t more crossbills inside the circle?
Northern Parula – July 2, singing south-east corner of the Britannia Conservation Area.
Blue-winged Warbler – Jul 01, Ramsay Concession 5A, The Quarry, Lanark.
Tip from the local eBird reviewers: Remember that incidental counts are intended for any incomplete checklists that you submit on eBird. Travelling and stationary counts are intended to be a complete list and count of all the birds that you encounter. These complete counts are used for statistical analysis of population trends so please be sure to use incidental if you are not paying careful attention to everything around you or if you are only recording highlights.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 1 July 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A quiet week, which is good, because–and I don’t want to panic anyone–the first Fall migrants arrived in the form of Greater Yellowlegs this week.
Sandhill Crane – Smith Road, Navan, Ottawa.
Least Sandpiper – Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Solitary Sandpiper – Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Greater Yellowlegs – June 30, Ile Kettle, Gatineau. Another on the 27th off Stonecrest Road, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Bonaparte’s Gull – June 30, Britannia Point, Ottawa.
Caspian Tern – Deschênes Rapids.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Kinburn Side Road, Ottawa. Stonecrest Road, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Lac McGregor, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. All six adults are still present at Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Stonecrest Road, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Stonecrest Road, Ottawa.
Sedge Wren – Concession Road 7B, Almonte, Lanark. Canaan Road, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Beaver Pond Trail (Kanata), Ottawa. Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Wychwood, Gatineau.
Pine Siskin – Northwoods Drive, Ottawa.
Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas tip from the best atlas region: You may be strolling along, enjoying all the birdsong in #themighty24 and even identifying some or most. You likely know that songbirds are able to perform these vocal aerobatics due to their specialized “voice box” called a syrinx: their trachea splits into separately controlled bronchial tubes. But instead of leaving those songsters as possible breeding birds based on only hearing them sing, try to catch a glimpse of that bird. You might be pleasantly surprised to see that little Chestnut-sided Warbler you are hearing is actually singing WHILE carrying food! The structure of the syrinx enables them to switch from one side to the other without taking a breath, or having to drop their food! You’ve just birded in “Atlas Mode” and as a result of your careful observation, you are able to actually CONFIRM breeding!
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 24 June 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
For the first time in months, no rarities reported, and fall migration doesn’t start for a couple of weeks. So it’s a great time to get caught up on your atlassing. Go get those local breeders!
Sandhill Crane – Carp Hills, Mer Bleue Bog, Smith Road (Navan), all Ottawa.
Semipalmated Sandpiper – Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Semipalmated Plover – Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Solitary Sandpiper – Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Least Bittern – Reported from Baie McLaurin, Marais des laîches, Marais aux grenouillettes (all Gatineau), and on the Ottawa side at Champlain Street Marsh, and the Petrie Island Causeway. Rideau River south of Hunt Club. Probably much more wide-spread, but under-reported.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Hansen Road (off Upper Dwyer Hill road), Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Lac McGregor, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – June 17, Green Creek from P27 Parking lot, Ottawa.
Sedge Wren – Concession Rd 7B, Almonte, Lanark. Concession 7 north of Clayton Road, Lanark. Nortel Marsh, Ottawa. Farmers Way North, Ottawa. Chemin Cross Loop, and Chemin Pine, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Continues at Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Trend Arlington Park, and Beacon Hill North, all Ottawa. Sherbrooke Street East, Perth, Lanark.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Continues at Mer Bleue, Ottawa.
eBird tip from the local reviewers: If you are out collecting data for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, note that there are some very under-reported species that can easily be found by tweaking your search methods. One example is Vesper Sparrow. These sparrows are actually quite common in our region and can be heard singing in fields that have been recently tilled (bare fields) or soybean fields where the plants are not yet very big. Although they will use high quality grasslands, they seem to be much more common in these recently disturbed areas.
Summer is here and a great variety of young birds are being seen – and heard – across our region.
Did you know that your observations are valuable to the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas? It’s a province-wide volunteer-based project to map the distribution and abundance of Ontario’s approximately 300 breeding birds. Data from the previous two Ontario Atlases have provided enormous contributions to bird and environmental conservation over the last 40 years.
For more information and to register for this important citizen science effort, please visit: https://www.birdsontario.org
#youcanatlasthat
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 17 June 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A brief window between migrations, with locally uncommon birds such as Yellow-billed Cuckoos and Yellow-throated Vireos seeming more findable this year, and a breeding plumage Red-throated Loon giving great views. Perhaps best of all, a brief overnight stay by a Western Kingbird.
White-winged Scoter – Jun 11, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Common Goldeneye – Jun 11, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane – Mer Bleue bog, Ottawa.
Black-bellied Plover – June 09, Chemin Industriel, Gatineau. June 12, Ottawa River pathway, Ottawa.
Semipalmated Sandpiper – June 16, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Solitary Sandpiper – June 15, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Red-throated Loon – June 14-16, Bridge street, Carleton Place, Lanark.
Cuckoos continue to be reported calling everywhere, even suburban city parks.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Wagon Drive, Thomas A Dolan, Fine Estate, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, all Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – The Lac McGregor bird continued until at least June 12, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. The Constance Bay birds are attempting three nests this year, which is a lot of Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Western Kingbird – Jun 11-12, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Continues in Dunrobin (Carp Hills), on Monty drive in Constance Bay, along the Jock River through Richmond Fen, McBean Street in Richmond, and in the Rockcliffe Airport Woods, all Ottawa.
Sedge Wren – Concession 7 north of Clayton Road, Lanark. Nortel Marsh, Ottawa. Canaan Road, Sarsfield. The Canaan bird is right on the border of Ottawa and Prescott Russell.
Carolina Wren – Continues at Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Trend Arlington Park, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – A pair reported June 12 at the Ottawa International Airport.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Mer Bleue Bog.
Nelson’s Sparrow – Actually photographed–which is no easy feat–Jun 13-14, Baie McLaurin, Gatineau.
Tennessee Warbler – A handful of late warblers reported this week, one from Munster Road, and another from Sarsaparilla Trail, Ottawa. One from Petrie Island, Ottawa.
eBird tip from the local reviewers: If you are atlassing, take careful note of the temperature and your impression of overall bird song. The cool mornings recently have really depressed bird song and point counts will be artificially low if they are conducted on such days.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 11 June 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Finally a quiet week with nothing more exciting than some amazing American White Pelicans! And this time they stuck around just long enough for many people to see them.
Redhead – June 5, Carleton Place Drainage pond, Lanark.
American White Pelican – 3 on June 5-6, 1 on June 7. Are these the ones that previously flew to Montreal? Rapides Deschênes , Gatineau, but also visible from Britannia Point, Ottawa. A single bird reported from Mississippi Mills, Lanark, on June 7.
Sandhill Crane – Locally rare but known breeders, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
American Coot – Reported June 5, The Swale, Lanark.
Black-bellied Plover – June 8-9, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Least Sandpiper – Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau, Quebec
Semipalmated Sandpiper – Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Phalarope – A single male, June 08, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Greater Yellowlegs – June 7, Richmond CA, Ottawa.
Lesser Yellowlegs – June 5, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Caspian Tern – Britannia CA, as well as Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Eurasian Collared Dove – June 3, Cambrian Road, Ottawa.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Thomas A Dolan, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, on the Jock River downstream of the Richmond fen, all Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Chemin de la Symphonie, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Continues in Dunrobin (Carp Hills), and along the Jock River through Richmond Fen, Ottawa.
Sedge Wren – 3 on June 7 at Long Bay and Burridge Road, Lanark. Another at Nortel marsh on June 10.
Carolina Wren – Continues at Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Britannia CA, Ottawa. Wychwood, Gatineau.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Locally rare, but breeding at Mer Bleue Bog.
Nelson’s Sparrow – A surprise singer was reported on June 5, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa.
Orchard Oriole – May 26-June 4, Richmond CA, Ottawa.
Cerulean Warbler – Carbine Road & Trail, Lanark. Just a smidge outside the OFNC circle.
eBird tip from the local reviewers: It’s the time for juvenile sparrows. These can be really tricky! Any Lincoln’s Sparrows away from Mer Bleue will require photo documentation. Check out the great birding article on separating young sparrows at
Birding article on separating young sparrows.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 3 June 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
More exciting shorebirds, a Little Gull, and a late-breaking Eurasian Collared-dove!
Redhead – Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Ruddy Duck – Moodie Quarry, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Four on June 02, Baie Fraser, Gatineau.
Horned Grebe – In full breeding plumage, May 29, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Eurasian Collared-dove – Reported from the corner of Cambrian Road West and Old Richmond Road, Ottawa
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Thomas A Dolan, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, and Richmond – Jock River downstream of Fen, all Ottawa. Other birds singing YBCU songs are being recorded, for example on Dolman Ridge Road, but require visual confirmation.
Sandhill Crane – Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
White-rumped Sandpiper – June 03, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Red Knot – As many as 32 on June 01, Baie Simard, Gatineau. Also seen from Britannia Point Ottawa.
Black-bellied Plover – Jun 02 Pont Champlain, Gatineau, Moody Pond, and Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Phalarope – May 17-June 2, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa. Viewing is more challenging due to long grass, but great June birds.
Red-necked Phalarope – May 31, Baie Simard, Gatineau, and Britannia Point Ottawa.
Whimbrel – May 28, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Little Gull – May 30, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Red-throated Loon – June 02, Grandview Road (Crystal Beach boat ramp), Ottawa.
Caspian Tern – Britannia CA, and Constance Creek, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Chemin de la Symphonie, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Dunrobin (Carp Hills), and along the Jock River through Richmond Fen, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continues at Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Wychwood, Gatineau.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa.
Orchard Oriole – May 26-Jun 01. A first-year male at the Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa, singing near the observation platform.
Cerulean Warbler – Murphys Point Provincial Park, McParlan House Trail. Outside the 50k, but a great bird.
The DND property at Shirley’s Bay is now restricted to official business only. If this changes in the future, there will be an announcement.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 27 May 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A big push of shorebirds and great migrants such as lots of Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers, Blackpoll and Wilson Warblers, and a single Ruddy Turnstone. Some other amazing birds such as Laughing Gull, Red Knot, Hudsonian Godwit, Orchard Oriole and Pelicans! Many individuals and flocks were seen from both shores of the Ottawa River in what seemed like some great teamwork among birders.
Redhead – Westbrook Rd., Ottawa From 22 birds on the 21st, the flock dwindled to a single bird, last reported May 24.
Snow Goose – One at Riverain Park, Ottawa. A pair at the Centre touristique du Lac-Simon, Papineau.
Trumpeter Swan – Singles reported: Marais des Laîches, Gatineau. Heaphy Road. Marlborough Forest, Ottawa. McTeer Road, Prescott and Russell
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Burnt Lands Road Ottawa. Watts Creek pathway, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane – Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Hudsonian Godwit – May 26, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Red Knot – A flock of 5-7 on May 26, Baie Simard, Gatineau. Also seen from Britannia Point, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Phalarope – May 17-27, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa. May require patience and a scope. A great opportunity to see male and female plumage as a pair linger.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Britannia Point, and Moodie Quarry, Ottawa.
Laughing Gull – May 21, Deschenes Rapides, Ottawa.
Red-throated Loon – May 25, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa and Parc des Cèdres, Gatineau.
American White Pelican – 4 seen flying east over the river on May 21. Possibly the same 4 were seen in Montreal the same day.
Caspian Tern – Britannia CA, and Shirley’s Bay (Boat launch), Ottawa.
Arctic Tern – 4 photographed May 24, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Red-headed Woodpecker – At least two adults continue in Constance Bay, Ottawa. Lac-McGregor, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Chemin de la Symphonie, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Copeland Road, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continues at Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Wychwood, Gatineau.
Evening Grosbeak – The last reports? May 23, Manotick, Ottawa. Rolston Way, Kanata, Ottawa.
Dark-eyed Junco – May 24, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa, singing. Rockcliffe Park & McKay Lake, Ottawa.
Orchard Oriole – May 26-27. A first-year male at the Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa, singing and nest-building near the observation platform.
Rusty Blackbird – Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa.
Cerulean Warbler – Murphys Point Provincial Park, Lanark: Silver Queen Mine Trail, McParlan House Trail, and Lally Homestead Trail. Berry Side Road, Dunrobin.
eBird tip from the local reviewers: Two species pairs pose problems for birders when it comes to heard only birds: Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers and Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos. These species pairs cannot be confidently separated by their vocalizations. Because Golden-winged Warbler and Black-billed Cuckoo are the expected species of their sister species pairs in our region, we accept eBird records of these from heard only birds. However, if you want records of Blue-winged Warbler and Yellow-billed Cuckoo accepted for either eBird or the atlas, you need to actually see these birds. Golden-wings and hybrids routinely sing Blue-winged Warbler songs. Black-billed Cuckoos often sing Yellow-billed songs and often give perfect imitations. If you have a Yellow-bill that slips into Black-billed song briefly, it is almost certainly a Black bill. If it only sings like a Yellow-bill, you need to see it to confirm.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 20 May 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
More warblers, more shorebirds, and huge numbers of Brant and Bonaparte’s Gull migrating through. The great Blue Jay migration continues during the day.
Garganey – A heart-breaking single observer sighting, never refound bird, at Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa, on May 17.
Redhead – Britannia Pier, Ottawa.
Brant – Moving through in big numbers. Look for them flying over Ottawa, then turning west to follow the river.
Snow Goose – One or two between Champlain Bridge and Britannia, on the Ottawa River.
Black-bellied Plover – Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Phalarope – May 17-20, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa. May 18-19, Holland’s Marsh, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Britannia Point, and Moodie Quarry, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – May 19, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Caspian Tern – Shirley’s Bay (Boat launch), Ottawa.
Arctic Tern – May 19, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Red-headed Woodpecker – At least two adults continue in Constance Bay, Ottawa. A rare sighting outside Constance Bay on Copeland Road (Ashton), Ottawa. Another at Lac-McGregor, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Shirley’s Bay, Britannia CA (general location), Stanley Park, all Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – May 15, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. Malakoff Rd, Paden to Cowell, (Richmond), Ottawa.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Terry Carisse Park, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – May 17, Murphys Point Provincial Park–Silver Queen Mine Trail, Lanark. Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Gray-cheeked Thrush – Reported from the Sentier du corridor Champlain, Gatineau,
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill – Monty Drive, Ottawa.
Common Redpoll – Guertin Ave. Last one in Ottawa?
Evening Grosbeak – Still lots of reports of single birds and pairs.
Blue-winged Warbler – May 15, Richmond CA, Ottawa.
Cerulean Warbler – May 18, Murphys Point Provincial Park, Lanark. Singing May 18-20, Berry Side Road, Ottawa.
Louisiana Waterthrush – Continues on Sentier Lauriault, Parc de la Gatineau, Gatineau.
Prothonotary Warbler – Reported on Magladry Road, Ottawa, May 20.
Not quite triggering a rare alert, but still much desired, warblers such as Golden-winged Warbler and Canada Warbler returned this week.
E-Bird tip from the local reviewers: We had record numbers of Carolina Wren and Red-bellied Woodpecker in Ottawa this winter. Some are hanging around and now is the time to look for breeding evidence; freshly fledged Carolinas are already being seen! If you do find either of these breeding please report them to e-Bird and to the Atlas.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 14 May 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Another week, another vagrant! A Ruff showed up on the 10th at the Richmond Lagoons. Warbler diversity and numbers continue to increase, at the same time as more winter finches (Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Redpolls) show up at feeders on their way north. It’s the best of spring and winter birding! Brant migrated up the river 8-9 May, along with Common Loons, Bonaparte Gulls, and more grebes. Blue Jays are passing through in large numbers during the day.
Eurasian Wigeon – Britannia on May 9.
Long-tailed Duck – Marais aux grenouillettes, and Parc des Cèdres, Gatineau.
Black Scoter – Shirley’s Bay. Not rare, White-winged Scoter also reported.
Trumpeter Swan – Heaphy Road, Shirley’s bay, and Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane – Baskin Drive East (Arnprior), Fine Estate, Mer Bleue, and Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Shirley’s Bay, and Kanata Lakes, Ottawa. Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau. Parc de Plaisance, Papineau.
Dunlin – Holland’s Marsh, the ponds just North of the Moodie Drive Quarry, and Richmond Sewage lagoons, Ottawa.
Black-bellied Plover – Dilworth road (Kemptville), Ottawa.
Ruff – Identified on May 13 at the Richmond Conservation Area, Ottawa. An adult female spent the day mostly hiding in the vegetation in the North (mostly dry) lagoon, and occasionally flying or swimming with Lesser Yellowlegs in the middle Lagoon. This incredibly well camouflaged bird requires patience, and a scope wouldn’t hurt. The bird was photographed but not identified on the 10th. Weird shorebirds are always worth a second or third look.
Purple Sandpiper – Continues on the rock at the base of the Deschênes rapids on the Gatineau side.
Some of the smaller shorebirds occasionally reported from Richmond lagoons, Wesley Clover park, and Petrie Island, Ottawa, as well as Parc de Plaisance, Papineau.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Andrew Haydon Park, Britannia Point, Ottawa. Moodie Quarry and Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Rapides Deschênes, and Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Neotropic Cormorant – Continues to the 13th. More variation in its travels recently. Reported recently from Dow’s lake, Lemieux Island, Britannia Point, and still roosting at night in Gatineau.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Hurdman Wood, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Vincent Massey/Hog’s Back Parks, and Strathcona Park on May 9, Ottawa.
Hoary Redpoll – Applewood Acres, Ottawa. Not satisfied with being an extremely late solo record, this bird has found a friend and the pair continues as of the 13th.
Common Redpoll – Everywhere in small numbers.
White-winged Crossbill – Crazy Horse Trail, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak – Everywhere in small numbers.
Louisiana Waterthrush – Sentier Lauriault (Parc de la Gatineau), Gatineau
Golden-winged Warbler – Birchgove Road (Sarsfield), Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Birchgove Road (Sarsfield), Ottawa.
E-Bird tip from local reviewers: One duo that occasionally trips up observers are the two yellowlegs. Their status changes over the migration period: Greater is commoner in April, Lesser in May. If you are not sure, please record them as Yellowlegs species.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 7 May 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A tale of two vagrants! No, it’s not a cut and paste error (this time). The region’s exceptional spring continues with two new mega-rare birds: a Painted Bunting and an Eurasian Collared Dove. Amazingly, the Purple Sandpiper and the Neotropical Cormorant continued until at least May 5. Winter Finches – Common and Hoary Redpolls, Evening Grosbeaks, and Pine Siskins continue to hit local feeders. American Tree Sparrows and Fox Sparrows linger. Shorebirds are beginning to build up, and Richmond is a good spot to see them. A good selection of warblers was seen.
Greater White-fronted Goose – May 3, Baie Parker, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Cackling Goose – May 3, Baie Parker, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Long-tailed Duck – Parc des Cèdres, Gatineau.
Ruddy Duck – Parc de Plaisance (Tête de la Baie), Papineau.
Sandhill Cranes are passing through, seen or heard flying over many locations, as well as returning to local breeding areas such as Mer Bleue, Ottawa.
Eurasian Collared-Dove – Seen on May 5 only, as birders were looking for the Painted Bunting at the Hilda Road feeders, Ottawa.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Rainbow Lake, Lanark. Elm Grove Road, Perth, Lanark. Kettles Road, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (5) – Len Purcell Drive (Woodlawn), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Chemin Champlain, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. In Ottawa on Monty Drive, Hilda Road feeders, Shirley’s Avenue, and Kanata lakes, Ottawa. Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau. Parc de Plaisance, Papineau.
Purple Sandpiper – Continues on the magic rock at the base of the Deschênes rapids on the Gatineau side.
Iceland Gull – Britannia Point, Ottawa. Moodie Quarry (the northern ponds), Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Britannia Point, Ottawa. Moodie Quarry and Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Caspian Tern – Constance Lake (southern bay), Ottawa. Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Neotropic Cormorant – Continues to spend most days at Dow’s Lake, Ottawa, with the Double-crested Cormorants. Roosts in Gatineau at night, visible from the Sentier des Voyageurs. Seen most days from April 21-May 05.
Rough-legged Hawk – Breckenridge, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Pair continues in Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Hoary Redpoll – Applewood Acres, Ottawa. Seen up to May 6, this is possibly the latest ever Ottawa spring record for this species.
Red Crossbill – Flock continues in Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell.
White-winged Crossbill – Visiting a feeder on Monty Drive, Ottawa.
Painted Bunting – Female plumage, Hilda Road feeders, Ottawa, seen daily from May 2 to 6. Sightings can be 90 minutes apart.
Cape May Warbler – Hilda Road feeders, and the Arboretum, Ottawa. Parc de Plaisance, Papineau.
Palm Warbler – Everywhere. The locally less common Yellow or Eastern Palm Warbler seen at Andrew Haydon Park and Britannia CA on May 02.
Northern Parula – Kizell Pond, Ottawa.
The DND property at Shirley’s Bay is now restricted to official business only. If this changes in the future, there will be an announcement.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 29 April 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A tale of two vagrants! A rare Willow Ptarmigan followed the usual mega rarity script and was not seen again, but the Neotropical Cormorant broke with tradition, and seems to have set up a pattern that allows for as many (distant) photos as a birder could ask of a lifer. In the background, expected birds continue to stream in early, geese linger, and winter finches trickle back north.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Richmond Sewage Lagoons, Ottawa on the 29th. Pair reported Apr 28, Parkway Rd, (Greely), and another on Armitage Ave, Ottawa. On the 27th, in the small Ponds north of the main Moodie Ponds (near Cambrian), Ottawa, and the Kars flood plain, Rideau Valley Drive South, Ottawa.
Cackling Goose – Chemin Mulligan, and Chemin River (both Quyon), Chemin Kennedy (Luskville), Baie Parker, all in Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Long-tailed Duck – Marais aux Massettes, Papineau. Parc des Cèdres, and Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Willow Ptarmigan – It wasn’t just finches and owls that came South this winter. Willow Ptarmingan were found in many places south of thier usual range, but Sarsfield on April 25? A team of excellent birders was unable to relocate the bird and it was never seen again. Those fields are worth a scan from the road.
Purple Sandpiper – On April 23, a rare spring sighting of Purple Sandpiper at the base of the Deschênes rapids on the Quebec side. Another(?) seen on the same rock on the 29. Close to the Quebec shore, they were just visible from Britannia Point, Ottawa, with a good scope, the right air conditions, and a lot of squinting.
Purple Sandpiper – On April 23, a rare spring sighting of Purple Sandpiper at the base of the Deschênes rapids on the Quebec side. It was seen again on the 29th. Close to the Quebec shore, it was just visible from Britannia Point, Ottawa, with a good scope, the right air conditions, and a lot of squinting.
Solitary Sandpiper – At the usual spot on Twin Elm Road, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – Moodie Drive Ponds, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Reports of first, second, and adult birds from Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau. First year bird reported from Moodie Quarry from Barnsdale, Ottawa.
Neotropic Cormorant – Continues to spend most days at Dow’s Lake, Ottawa, with the Double-crested Cormorants. Roosts in Gatineau at night, visible from the Sentier des Voyageurs. Seen most days from April 21-29.
Glossy Ibis – Reported Apr 23, from the Marais aux Massettes, Papineau. The bird was not refound.
Golden Eagle – Apr 25, Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa. Apr 24, Brophy Drive (Kars), Ottawa.
Blue-headed Vireo – Reported Apr 18, Marlborough Forest (Roger’s Pond), Ottawa.
Warbling Vireo – Heard warbling in Stanley Park, Ottawa.
Grasshopper Sparrow – Panmure Road, Pakenham, Lanark.
Bobolink – Chemin Kennedy (Quyon), Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red Crossbill – Hammond, Prescott and Russell.
Northern Waterthrush – Osgoode Trail, Ottawa. Bedell Road south of Kemptville, Leeds and Grenville.
Scarlet Tanager – Cannonball trail, Ottawa.
A timely tip from the local eBird reviewers:
Did you know that the default scaup in Ottawa county is Lesser? Normally Lessers outnumber Greater, often by a ratio of 100:1 or more. This is particularly true away from Lac Deschênes. If you are not sure, please enter sightings as “scaup species.”
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 22 April 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Spring migration continues despite the cold, with Sora and Solitary sandpipers arriving, and Golden Eagle migration resumed on the 17-19.
Trumpeter Swan – Marlborough Forest (Roger’s Pond), Ottawa. Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Three at Parc des Cèdres, Gatineau.
Solitary Sandpiper – Twin Elm Road, Ottawa.
Little Gull – Reported April 17, Rifle Road, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau. Moodie Drive Ponds, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull – Reported April 17, Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau. Parc des Cèdres, Gatineau.
Neotropic Cormorant – Only the second ever confirmed sighting of this species in the OFNC Circle. April 21 & 22 at Dow’s Lake, Ottawa, with the Double-crested Cormorants.
Golden Eagle – April 17, Cumberland Ridge Drive. April 18, Petrie Island. April 19, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, all Ottawa.
American Pipit – April 19, Parc des Cèdres, Gatineau.
Snow Bunting – April 17, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Lark Sparrow – The Ashton bird is apparently still around, at least as of April 21. McCaffrey Trail, Ottawa.
Did you know that your observations are valuable to the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas? It’s a province-wide volunteer-based project to map the distribution and abundance of Ontario’s approximately 300 breeding birds. Data from the previous two Ontario Atlases have provided enormous contributions to bird and environmental conservation over the last 40 years.
For more information on this important citizen science effort, please contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org. Or you could consider participating in the virtual launch of the first year of the third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas on Saturday April 24 and Sunday April 25, 2021. Sessions scheduled throughout the weekend will provide volunteers with everything they need to know about atlassing and how they can get involved in Atlas-3. Click here for more
The DND property at Shirley’s Bay is now restricted to official business only. If this changes in the future, there will be an announcement.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 15 April 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Not many new species since last week, but a stunning number of birds have arrived early this year. Vesper Sparrows are the latest species to join the sparrow invasion. Brown Thrashers and Great Egrets are suddenly everywhere.
Ross’s Goose – Two hiding in a field of 4000 Snow Geese on Dunning Road (Sarsfield), Ottawa.
Redhead – A pair off Machardy Road, Arnprior, Ottawa.
Ruddy Duck – Giroux Road Ponds, Ottawa, on April 10-11.
White-winged Scoter – Shirley’s Bay, Andrew Hayden Park, and Britannia Point, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Constance Creek (at Thomas Dolan), Ottawa. Heaphy Road, North Gower, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – Parc de Plaisance (Tête de la Baie), Papineau.
Greater Yellowlegs – Highway 17, Kinburn, Ottawa.
Lesser Yellowlegs – With more Greater Yellowlegs at the Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Road flooded fields, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull – Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau. Baie Simard, Gatineau. Parc de Plaisance, Tête de la Baie, Papineau.
American Pipit – A flock of five birds on chemin Crossloop, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red Crossbill – A flock of 15, Big Rideau Lake, Lanark. Ten in Hammond, Prescott and Russell.
Palm Warbler – Beaver Pond Trail, Ottawa. Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Chapman Mills Conservation Area, Hurdman Bridge, Petrie Island, Britannia Conservation Area (Ridge), all Ottawa.
The DND property at Shirley’s Bay is now restricted to official business only. If this changes in the future, there will be an announcement.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 8 April 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Last weekend brought many early returnees. There was a big push of Brown Creepers and Golden-crowned Kinglets, so walking in the woods was a constant game of “What’s that high-pitched call?” Expect new birds this weekend.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Reported Apr 06, Holland’s Marsh (April 06), Cobb Lake Creek flood plain (April 04), and Embrum, Prescott and Russell.
Ross’s Goose – Andrew Hayden Park (April 02), Ottawa. Cobb Lake Creek flood plain (April 04), Prescott and Russell.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Redhead – Frank Kenny Road and area, Ottawa.
American Coot – Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Tundra Swan – April 05, Heritage Drive, Merrickville, Lanark. April 03, Cobb Lake Creek flood Plain, Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail (Curran), Prescott and Russell.
Greater Yellowlegs – Holland’s Marsh, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – Moodie Drive Quarry on April 6, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – Moodie Drive Quarry, and Trail Road, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Tufted Titmouse – Flood Road (Marlborough Forest), Ottawa, on April 6.
Barn Swallow – Britannia Conservation Area (Filtration Plant/Point), as well as Fine Estate, Ottawa.
New sparrows are flooding in – Savannah, Chipping, and Field.
Eastern towhee – At Fletcher, singing south of the ravine on April 6, Ottawa.
Palm Warbler – Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Pine Warbler – Crazy Horse Trail, Monty Drive, Britannia CA (forest and ridge), Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Petrie Island Park, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Woodkilton Road, Britannia Conservation Area (Ridge), as well as Nepean Street, Ottawa. Domaine de la ferme Moore, and Sentier des Voyageurs, Gatineau.
Black-throated Blue Warbler – In addition to the three expected warblers above, a male Black-throated Blue was reported singing in Larose forest, Prescott and Russell.
Special note about Shirley’s Bay. The DND property is now restricted to official business only. If this changes in the future, there will be an announcement.
Did you know that your observations are valuable to the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas? It’s a province-wide volunteer-based project to map the distribution and abundance of Ontario’s approximately 300 breeding birds. Data from the previous two Ontario Atlases have provided enormous contributions to bird and environmental conservation over the last 40 years.
For more information and to register for this important citizen science effort, please visit: https://www.birdsontario.org/
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 1 April 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Spring continues with the return of ducks, herons, egrets and cranes. A surprising number of swallows showed up for the last days of March.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Moodie Drive Quarry, Frank Kenny, Milton Road, Richmond Lagoon, Wall Road, all Ottawa.
Pink-footed Goose – Milton Road on the 27th and 30th. Where was it on the 28-29th?
The flood plain at Milton Road has been very generous with waterfowl this week: Northern Shoveler, Redhead, Gadwall, Green and Blue-winged Teal, both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, and even a singing Vesper Sparrow, as well as the aforementioned rare geese. Frank Kenny has been good as well.
Long-tailed Duck – A pair in breeding plumage east of the Rapides Deschênes.
Trumpeter Swan – In Prescott and Russell at Cobb Creek flood plain, Lalonde Road, and Clarence Creek. In Ottawa at Vances Side Road (Dunrobin), Roger’s Pond, and Dilworth Road (Kemptville), Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – Usually rarer than Trumpeters in the region, but many sightings this week:
Lalonde Road, Clarence Creek, Riceville Floodplain, all Prescott and Russell
Red-necked Grebe – Britannia Point, Ottawa, on the 31st.
Golden Eagle – Eagles continue migrating through the region. Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell. Moodie Drive, Kars, and Frank Kenny, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – Moodie Drive Quarry, and the Trail Road landfill, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night Heron – Pair photographed in the Hunt Club area on the 29th-30th.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues on Bayview and/or Goodin Street, Ottawa.
Tree Swallow – Rideau Trail between Scotch Line and Wild Life Road, Lanark. Constance Creek, Andrew Hayden Park, Britannia Conservation Area, Shirley Avenue, Richmond Lagoons, Kars, in Ottawa.
Barn Swallow – Andrew Hayden Park, Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell.
Lark Sparrow – McCaffrey Trail, Ottawa, near Ashton.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Britannia Conservation Area (Woods), Ottawa.
Special note about Shirley’s Bay. The DND property is now restricted to official business only. If this changes in the future, there will be an announcement.
Did you know that your observations are valuable to the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas? It’s a province-wide volunteer-based project to map the distribution and abundance of Ontario’s approximately 300 breeding birds. Data from the previous two Ontario Atlases have provided enormous contributions to bird and environmental conservation over the last 40 years.
For more information and to register for this important citizen science effort, please visit: https://www.birdsontario.org/
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 25 March 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Spring roared into town, and the dawn chorus rings with drama! The first warbler and hummingbird of the season were photographed this week. Suddenly Woodcock skydance nightly, Eastern Phoebes bob away, and Fox Sparrows kick the leaves. Six species of geese reported on the 25th. Too many early FOY to list.
Ross’s Goose – Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell (along with 45,000 Snow Geese) on the 25th.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Frank Kenny, Milton Road, and Thomas Dolan at Carp River, Ottawa.
Barnacle Goose – Sorry about mixing up my Aylmers last time, but this week there really is a Barnacle Goose on the Carp flood plain, March 22-25. Honestly. Check John Shaw / Grant Side Road.
Trumpeter Swan – Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Greenland Road Hawkwatch, and Heaphy Road (Marlborough Forest), Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – (5) Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, March 23, Prescott and Russell.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Anywhere from Strathcona Park to Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Redhead – Britannia Yacht Club, and Milton Road (Vars), both Ottawa.
Many other duck species hit town, including Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Long-tailed Duck, and Gadwell, all seen from the Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa. Pintails and Shovelers seen from Milton Road as well.
White-winged Scoter – Britannia Point, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Migrating through now. Reported this week over the Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell, as well as Milton Road, Preston Street, Perrault Road, Brophy Drive, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane – Heritage Drive (Montague), Lanark. Chemin Therien, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – As many as 4, seen from Parc Moussette, to the Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Milton Road, Ottawa, March 22.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continue on Bayview and/or Goodin Street, Ottawa.
Lark Sparrow – After a mysterious two week absence, the Lark Sparrow is back on McCaffrey Trail, Ottawa, near Ashton.
Pine Warbler – Well photographed in Monaghan Forest, Ottawa, March 20. Look for other early warblers.
With the arrival of spring, you have probably enjoyed our local birds beginning to breed. Many more species will be arriving in the weeks ahead.
Did you know that your observations are valuable to the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas? It’s a province-wide volunteer-based project to map the distribution and abundance of Ontario’s approximately 300 breeding birds. Data from the previous two Ontario Atlases have provided enormous contributions to bird and environmental conservation over the last 40 years.
For more information and to register for this important citizen science effort, please visit: https://www.birdsontario.org/
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 18 March 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
This week brought new geese and blackbirds to town! Check flocks of both for rarities and other new arrivals. The big flocks are still south of us, but at least five species of geese are here now. Killdeer are back and Woodcock will soon follow.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Eagleson storm water ponds, Mar 17, and the Jock River at Eagleson Road on the 14th, both Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Rideau Creek at Rideau River, Ottawa. Donnelly Drive (Merrickville), Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Anywhere from Strathcona Park to Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. Time is running out to list this bird.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Parc Moussette, Gatineau.
Golden Eagle – Eagles are migrating through now. Look for tiny dots migrating high up, or swirling panicked masses of geese. Sightings from Emerald Meadows, Milton Road, and Vance’s Side Road Ottawa, or anywhere along the escarpment in Quebec.
Red-shouldered Hawk – Richardson Road, (Merrickville), Lanark. Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker – Kanata Lakes, Shirley’s Bay (Hilda Feeders), Britannia CA. Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. Chemin Fer- à-Cheval/sentier des Libellules, Gatineau. Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues on Bayview and/or Goodin Street, Ottawa.
Tree Swallow – March 11 at the Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – Everywhere.
Eastern Bluebird – Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Britannia CA, Ottawa, and Lime Kiln Trail, Ottawa.
Winter finches seem to be winding down.
Pine Grosbeak – One on March Valley Road, one at the Hilda Road feeders, Ottawa. 6 on Winding Lane, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Three over Clarence Cambridge, Limoges, Prescott and Russell. 25 in Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell. These birds are showing breeding behavior including males feeding females and lots of singing. And of course, Crazy Horse Trail, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill – Eight in Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell, loosely associated with the Red Crossbills.
Swamp Sparrow – Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 11 March 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Thursday evening as I type there is a glorious southwest wind that is surely bringing back the migrants, and maybe even some vagrants to the region. And now a storm to drop the birds down into our laps. Get out and bird Friday and this weekend.
Green-winged Teal – Nepean Creek, and Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Ring-necked Duck – Britannia Conservation Area (CA), Ottawa.
Lesser Scaup – Bate Island, Ottawa.
Pied-billed Grebe – Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane (2) – Murphys Point Provincial Park-Lally Homestead & Trail, Lanark.
Turkey Vulture – Lismer Crescent (Kanata), Shirley’s Bay (Hilda Road feeders), Tewin Circle (Orléans), Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Veterans Memorial Hwy (Richmond), Britannia CA, and Gossamer St., Ottawa.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker – Kanata Lakes, Shirley’s Bay (Hilda Feeders), Britannia CA. Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. Corner of Castor and Gregoire, and Plantagenet, Prescott and Russell.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues on Bayview and/or Goodin Street, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Kars.
Winter Wren – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau,
Eastern Bluebird – Sentier des Voyageurs, Gatineau.
Hermit Thrush – Merivale Gardens, and Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Many reports: Highway 7 (Maberly), Lanark. Crazy Horse trail, Chipmunk Trail, Jack Pine Trail, and Central Riverside South, Ottawa. Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell.
White-winged Crossbill – Parc de la Gatineau – Chemin Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Britannia CA, Ottawa. Domaine de la ferme Moore, Gatineau. Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell.
Northern Mockingbird – Lac Leamy, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Lark Sparrow – Ashton.
Swamp Sparrow – Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa
Ovenbird – Reported from Britannia CA . Did the early winter bird manage to survive here?
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 4 March 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Forget robins. They overwinter here. The return this week of the beloved Ring-billed Gull heralds the true change of the seasons! Get your shrikes and redpolls now before they are gone.
Green-winged Teal – Nepean Creek, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes, and Parc Moussette, Gatineau.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Ring-necked Duck – Riverain Park, Ottawa.
Wood Duck – Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau. Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Gray Partridge – Magladry-Heuvelmans Road, Ottawa. Last reported on the 27th. Deep snow in this location may have forced them to seek better foraging.
Northern Flicker – Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker – Kanata Lakes, Shirley’s Bay (Hilda Feeders), Britannia CA . Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. Corner Castor and Gregoire, Prescott and Russell.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues on Bayview and/or Goodin Street, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Britannia CA, Island Park Drive, du Bois Ave., Delong/Combermere,
Eastern Bluebird – Sentier des Voyageurs, Gatineau.
Fewer reports of crossbills, but both species still present in some places such as Larose Forest Grant Road trails, Prescott and Russell, and Red Crossbills have been consistent all winter on the Crazy Horse trail.
Northern Mockingbird – Continues at Lac Leamy, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee – The female towhee in Fine Estate, Ottawa, is very close to successfully overwintering.
Lark Sparrow – Ashton. Last reported Feb. 28.
Red-winged Blackbird – Rue Rémi, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, CA-QC. Caprihani Way, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Maberly, Lanark.
Rusty Blackbird – Continues in Quyon, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 25 February 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
New for the year, a Northern Mockingbird singing in Gatineau is a sign of Spring, or perhaps misplaced optimism.
Green-winged Teal – Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Turkey Vulture – Trans-Canada Highway near Walkey Road, Ottawa
Northern Goshawk – Lodore Road, Lanark.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Outside the OFNC circle, but a great find this winter at Loch Garry Trail, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, on the 20th.
Northern Flicker – Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues on Bayview and or Goodin Street, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Photographed in Metcalfe, Ottawa.
Canada Jay – Continues on Lavant, Lanark.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Sentier des Voyageurs, between Parc Moussette and
golf Château Cartier, Gatineau. Quigley Hill Road (Cumberland),
Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – Reported several times at the Marais nord, Lac Leamy, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
White-throated Sparrow – Raftsman Lane, Ottawa.
Song Sparrow – Wolf Grove Road, Lanark.
Lark Sparrow – Ashton bird continues.
Red-winged Blackbird – Caprihani Way, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 18 February 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The Great backyard Bird Count and perhaps the lifting of lockdown led to a huge number of reports this week. Some of the irruptive species that went south for the winter seem to be dispersing round the region as well.
Wood Duck – Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau. Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal – Nepean Creek Park, Ottawa. A Gadwall x Mallard hybrid at the same location.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Between Hurdman Bridge and Adawe Crossing Bridge, Ottawa.
Great Blue Heron – Parc de la Gatineau–Lac-des-Fées, Gatineau.
Turkey Vulture – Five gathered at road kill in Cumberland Village, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Reported from Ridgetop road, Ottawa.
Gray Partridge – Latest reports from Beckwith Park, Lanark, and Dunning Road, Navan.
Belted Kingfisher – Kanata Lakes, and at March Valley Road, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dozens of reports this week from all over the region.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues on Goodin Street, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – A big surprise, continuing at Van Rens Street, Metcalfe, Ottawa.
Canada Jay – Continues on Lavant, Lanark.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – A pair continues in Gatineau on the Sentier des Voyageurs, between Parc Moussette and golf Château Cartier.
Hermit Thrush – South West corner of Britannia. Stoney Swamp South West of the intersection of NCC 24 and the Trans Canada Trail.
Another near Rideau Hall.
Gray Catbird – reported overwintering in Bel-Air Heights, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak – After a few quiet weeks, suddenly flocks everywhere. Dozens of flocks reported from all over the circle. A spot that continues to be reliable is the Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Pine Grosbeak – Everywhere, but small flocks and single birds, smaller numbers than Evening.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Lark Sparrow – Continues near Ashton.
White-throated Sparrow – A flock of five in hurdman Woods, and then several single birds: Sherbrooke St. E., Perth, Lanark. In Ottawa
at: Monty Drive, Shirley’s Bay (Hilda Road feeders), Britannia Road, Nepean creek, Mandor Cres., (Metcalfe), and Raftsman Lane.
A surprising number of blackbirds this week:
Red-winged Blackbird – The overwintering male continues near Caprihani Way, Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird – A male on Aikens, Ottawa, present for a week. Another reported from Manotick.
Rusty Blackbird – A continuing bird on Chemin Stanley, Quyon, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Common Grackle – River Road, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 11 February 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Wood Duck – Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau. Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Green-winged Teal – Nepean Creek Park, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Between Hurdman Bridge and Adawe Crossing Bridge, Ottawa. This is a great spot to watch and listen to the mating dances of diving ducks in February.
Gray Partridge – Heuvelmans Road / Magladry Road (Navan), Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Adult seen from Kilmaurs Side Road, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Kanata Lakes, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Parc du Lac-Leamy, and Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau, Britannia Conservation Area, the Hilda Road Feeders, and in Kanata Lakes, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – In Ottawa at du Bois Avenue, Britannia Conservation Area, Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Revol Road, and Lismer Crescent.
Eastern Bluebird – Still a couple in Gatineau on the Sentier des Voyageurs, between parc Moussette and golf Château Cartier. A flock of 8 on Stonecrest Road, Ottawa.
Pine Grosbeak– Three in Carp, ten on Saint Laurent Boulevard, and 3 in Rockcliffe, all Ottawa.
Red Crossbills – Woodkilton Road, Monty Drive, Crazy Horse Trail, South March Highlands, Larose Forest, Ottawa. North of the river at Rivermead Club de Golf, and Sentier du corridor Champlain, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 4 February 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Greater Scaup – One bird reported at various locations in Val des monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continues between Hurdman Bridge and Adawe Crossing Bridge, Ottawa.
Wood Duck – Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes.
Gray Partridge – Flocks continue on Magladry Road (Navan), and off Hazeldean, Ottawa, and perhaps a new flock was photographed this week as well, on private land. Months with no sightings of these non-migratory birds, and now three flocks.
Belted Kingfisher – A female still catching fish in an open pond in Kanata lakes, another along March Valley Road, Ottawa, one at Chemin Latulippe, Chénéville, Papineau, and a fourth in Gatineau Park, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. These birds are tough!
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Britannia Conservation Area, the Hilda Road Feeders, near the Chapman Mills Conservation Area, and in Kanata Lakes, Ottawa. Parc du Lac-Leamy, and a new one on Chemin Fer-à-Cheval, Gatineau.
Canada Jay – Continues on Lavant, Lanark, just tantalizingly outside the circle.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing at Merivale Gardens, du Bois Avenue, and Britannia Conservation Area. And yet another previously unreported Carolina Wren has been coming to a feeder on Island Park Drive for weeks.
Eastern Bluebird – Continuing on Sentier des Voyageurs, between Parc Brébeuf and Pont Champlain, Gatineau, and on Quigley Hill Road, Ottawa.
All the winter finches have been reported in various locations across the OFNC circle in the first 4 days of February, (except the ever so difficult Purple Finch).
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Lark Sparrow – After years with no sightings, the third Lark Sparrow of 2020 showed up on Dec. 30 near Ashton on private land, and stayed well into January. It hasn’t been seen for about a week now.
White-crowned Sparrow – Continuing birds in Richmond, on Shirley Avenue, and a new one on Kathleen Crescent (Stittsville), Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – The Cardinal Creek Karst Trail, Ottawa, male continues to defy winter and common sense.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 28 January 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Several late birds went unreported this week. Did they succumb to the cold, flee, or were they simply not reported?
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continues between Hurdman Bridge and Adawe Crossing Bridge, Ottawa.
Wood Duck – Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau, and Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes.
Gray Partridge – Flocks at Magladry Road (Navan), and off Hazeldean, Ottawa.
Great Blue Heron – Really pushing its luck at Leitrim and Albion, Ottawa.
Turkey Vulture – Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell.
Northern Harrier – Akins Road, and off Hazeldean in the Gray Partridge fields.
Belted Kingfisher – Only one report this week in Kanata North.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Britannia Conservation Area, the Hilda Road Feeders, near the Chapman Mills Conservation Area, and in Kanata Lakes, Ottawa. Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Kars, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – The winter of the wren continues at du Bois Avenue, as well as Shirley’s Brook Park (Kanata), Avonmore Crescent, Britannia Conservation Area, and with new reports from the Cardinal Creek Trail ( in Orleans), and Marlborough Avenue, near Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Small flocks near Pont Champlain, Gatineau, and Merrifield Farm, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Hermit Thrush – In the woods behind the Musée canadien de la nature, Gatineau.
Wood Thrush – Continued to at least the 22nd near Dale park, Ottawa.
Pine Siskin – Not eBird rare, but tough enough to find this winter, there were a few more reports this week, including a flock at Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill – A small flock Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell.
Red Crossbill – Another small flock in Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Aylmer (secteur Lakeview), Gatineau, and in Ottawa in New Edinburgh, and at the Trail Road Landfill.
Swamp Sparrow – Chemin Freeman, Gatineau.
Red-winged Blackbird – One male desperately trying to hang onto territory at Cardinal Creek Karst Trail, Ottawa, and two more on Concession Rd 4, (White Lake ), Lanark.
Baltimore Oriole – Photographed on Jan. 20 on Rue Du Duche, Gatineau. No reports since then.
Ovenbird – Britannia Conservation Area, near the bridge. Last photographed on the 21st.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 21 January 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Lockdown leads to fewer reports, but people still see great birds in their yards or while walking dogs, etc.
Lockdown bonus photos
Snow Goose – MacLaren’s Landing, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Wood Duck – Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau, and Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes.
Northern Harrier – Barnsdale, Ottawa.
Black Vulture – Continued until at least the 15th on Chemin de la Rivière, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Belted Kingfisher – Hendrick Farm trail, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Britannia Conservation Area, the Hilda Road Feeders, and in Kanata Lakes, Ottawa. Parc du Lac-Leamy, and Chemin Champlain, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Canada Jay – Continues (outside the circle) on Levant Mill Road, Lanark.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – du Bois Avenue, as well as Shirley’s Brook Park, Kanata, Ottawa. Avonmore Crescent, Ottawa. Orleans Park and Ride, Ottawa
Eastern Bluebird – Pont Champlain, Gatineau.
Hermit Thrush – Sentier des Voyageurs, between Parc Brébeuf and Pont Champlain, Gatineau. Another further west in Aylmer, Gatineau.
Wood Thrush – A third thrush species is trying to over-winter near Hurdman, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Shirley Ave, Ottawa. Forest creek Drive, Ottawa. Quartier Lakeview-Terrasse, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Ovenbird – Continued in the Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa, until at least the 16th.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 14 January 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Some snow and falling temperatures in the next week should drive more birds to feeders, improving the view for some birders stuck at home during lockdown.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Wood Duck – Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau, and Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Rapides Deschênes.
Red-breasted Merganser – Remic Rapids Park, Ottawa.
Gray Partridge – Continue on Hazeldean. If you are wondering why these birds go unreported for months, try spending a cold hour not finding these bright orange birds. Wait until the lockdown is over though. Explaining to by-law that you are there to not see a bird would be awkward. A flock was also reported from Huisman Road, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Terry Fox at Fernbank, Ramsayville Road, and Mer Bleue Road, all Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Continues near the Chapman Mills Conservation Area, and another reported from Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Reports continue from Relais Shilly-Shallly, Parc de la Gatineau, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, as well as Britannia Conservation Area, at the Hilda Road Feeders, and in Kanata Lakes, Ottawa. Continues in Parc du Lac-Leamy, and on Rue de Saint-Milo, Gatineau.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Continues in Constance Bay, Ottawa. New reports from Chemin Link, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Northern Flicker – Photographed at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Another on Shirley Avenue.
Canada Jay – Continues (outside the circle) on Levant Mill Road, Lanark.
Boreal Chickadee – Fernbank, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Kars, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – du Bois Avenue, as well as Shirley’s Brook Park, Kanata, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Pinhey’s Point Park, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Sentier des Pionniers, Parc de la Gatineau, and along the Sentier des Voyageurs, between Parc Brébeuf and Pont Champlain, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Ovenbird – The most surprising bird of the week was a very late Ovenbird reported at various locations in Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa. Well photographed on the 8th, it was also reported on the 9th and 13th.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 7 January 2021
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continues at Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Wood Duck – The duck at Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie, Gatineau, continues, as does the pair at Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – One in Rapides Deschênes.
Northern Harrier – Hunting the undeveloped land around Huntmar and the 417, Ottawa. Possibly the same bird along Terry Fox / Fernbank. Another South-west of the airport. One on Saint Rose Road (Fournier), Prescott and Russell.
Red-shouldered Hawk – Kerwin Rd trail, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher- Proving their dominance over the polar bear dip at Shirley’s Brook, along March Valley Road, on Dunrobin Snowmobile Trail, and near the Chapman Mills Conservation Area, all Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – The invasion grows: new reports from Wilhaven Drive in Cumberland, Ottawa, Relais Shilly-Shallly, Parc de la Gatineau, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, and Plantagenet, Prescott & Russell. Continuing at Britannia Conservation Area, at the Hilda Road Feeders, in Kanata lakes, and on Manotick Island, all Ottawa. Continues to be reliable in Gatineau at Parc du Lac-Leamy.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Black Vulture – Continues on Chemin de la Rivière, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Canada Jay – Continues (outside the circle) on Levant Mill Road, Lanark.
Boreal Chickadee – Still visiting Fernbank, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Flying around Kars in a mixed flock.
Winter Wren – Chemin Vanier, Gatineau, and on the Chipmunk Trail, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continues on du Bois Avenue, as well as Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. New birds reported from Shirley’s Brook Park, Kanata, Ottawa, and Allbirch / Shady Lane, Constance Bay, Ottawa, as well as Marathon Village, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – The birds on Quigley Hill Rd, and Pinhey’s Point Park, Ottawa, and the flock on Chemin d’Aylmer, Gatineau, all stuck around another week. New birds were reported from Torbolton Ridge, Ottawa, and Blakeney Park, Lanark.
Hermit Thrush – Prescott Russell Rec. Trail at Magladry & Belvedere Road, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell. Along Chemin Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, Constance Bay and around Dunrobin, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill – Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell. In Lanark at Carleton Place, at the Almonte Lagoons, and on Wolf Grove Road. Everywhere in Gatineau and Ottawa in small flocks. Check every spruce tree with decent cones. Even showing up in very urban parks this year.
White-crowned Sparrow – First winter birds continue on Trail road, and on Shirley Avenue, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Song Sparrow – Wolf Grove Road Lanark, Lanark, and at Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Swamp Sparrow – Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – Birds at Cardinal Creek Trail, Grasshopper Lane (Dunrobin), Thomas Argue Road (Carp) , and March Valley Road, all Ottawa.
A note on COVID and birding in the National Capital Region: Crossing health unit boundaries or provincial borders for non-essential reasons could lead to big fines, as could a spontaneous gathering of birders around a rarity.