Ottawa and area bird sightings to 29 December 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Wood Duck – Rideau River between Adàwe Crossing and Billings Bridge, Ottawa. (3) Dec 27, Sawmill Creek, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Dec 27, Etang Grimes, Gatineau.
Harlequin Duck – Continuing to at least Dec 27, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continuing Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Turkey Vulture – Dec 29, Eagleson Road at Faulkner, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Dec 22, 26, 29 Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Dec 28, Poole Creek, Stittsville, Ottawa. Dec 29, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Near open creek below filtration point.
Eastern Phoebe – Dec 29, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing to Dec 27 Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Dec 10-26, Chemin Steele, Pontiac, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Dec 24 Parkway Rd, Ottawa. Dec 29, Manion Heights, Ottawa. Dec 28, Chemin du Fer à Cheval, Gatineau.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Dec 29, “Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy)” is the eBird hotspot. The bird is seen east of Conroy, Ottawa. Dec 18-23, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. All Three-toed sightings are intermittent.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Dec 28, Pierce Rd (unmaintained portion), Ottawa. Dec 26, NCC Trail 24, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Continuing Dec 01-29, Birchgrove x Magladry Rd., Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird – Reported Dec 28, North Gower, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Continuing to Dec 29, Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Dec 27, O’Hara Drive, Ottawa
Tufted Titmouse – Dec 29, McCordick Road North from Fairhurst, Kemptville, Ottawa. Continuing to Dec 29, Fairmile Rd, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – December 23-24, Kincardine Dr., Kanata, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow – Dec 25, Wellsmere Ct, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Dec 25-26, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. Dec 26, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dec 27-29, Crystal Bay-Lakeview Park, Ottawa. At suet feeder on trail.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – Dec 22, Saint Fillans Road, Lanark.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 22 December 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The Winter of the Woodpecker continued into the Christmas Bird Count season with American Three-toed Woodpeckers resurfacing for the Ottawa CBC. Lots of open water means lots of late waterbirds.
Following text provided by Aaron:
Over the years, their final evening roost site has been in a number of locations in this end of town, including the Ottawa General Hospital Ring Road, Pleasant Park Woods, Coronation Park, Hurdman Woods and the woodlot at the corner of St. Laurent and Innes. This year the roost is located on St. Laurent at Tremblay but over the past five years, the birds have been alternating between the two sites on St. Laurent.
The birds depart the roost at dawn and return at dusk in three or four flyways: easterly, southerly, southwesterly, and northeasterly. The majority of the birds spend their days in the vicinity of the Trail Road Landfill with a second sizable component going to the former Huneault Dump/Waste Connections Canada facility in Navan. Smaller daytime gatherings, however, occur across the NCR particularly in areas where they can feed on the ground.
At the peak of the roost flight, several hundred birds will pass overhead every minute. Not all birds return directly to the roost in the evening: many make stops at pre-roosts along the way including McCarthy Woods, Billings Bridge and some of the older roost sites. There are almost certainly other pre-roost sites, but eventually the majority of the birds end up at the final roost site. Throughout the winter, they are enjoyed by commuters as they too make their home way.
During this year’s CBC, we were able to establish that the roost has increased in size and there are likely 30,000 crows using the roost. When the days get longer and spring arrives, the roost will melt away until the fall.
Wood Duck – Rideau River between Adàwe Crossing and Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. (3) Dec 18, D’Aoust Avenue, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Dec 17-18, Half Moon Bay Park, Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal – Dec 18, Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. Brantwood Park Trail, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continuing Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Horned Grebe – Continuing, Parc Moussette, Gatineau/Bate Island, Ottawa.
American Coot – Dec 18-19, Lemieux Island, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – As many as 14 first winter birds on Dec 18 at Andrew Haydon Park east (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa. 7 Reported at Trail Road landfill, including an adult.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Dec 22, Andrew Haydon Park east (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa. Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – Continuing Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Dec 21, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Dec 22, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (2) Dec 18, Manotick–George Mclean Park, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Dec 10-19, ch. Steele, Pontiac, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Dec 17, Twin Elm Rd, Ottawa. Dec 18, Fourth Line Rd, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Dec 20-21, Du Golf Rd, Clarence-Rockland, Prescott and Russell. Dec 21, Pine Grove (South), Ottawa. Dec 18, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. East Of Hawthorne, Greenbelt Pathway, Ottawa. Dec 18-20, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. Dec 18, Stittsville, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – County Road 1, Clarence Creek, Prescott and Russell.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Dec 15, Parc de la Gatineau–Relais Plein Air, Gatineau.
Hermit Thrush – Dec 17, Stittsville–Trans Canada Trail, Ottawa.
Swainson’s Thrush – Dec 20, Crystal Beach, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Continuing Dec 01-21, Birchgrove x Magladry Rd., Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Continuing Dec 04-21, Fairmile Rd, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Dec 16, Clyde Woods, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing to Dec 18 Richland, Ottawa. Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Dec 18, Ch de Vorlage-Heights, La Pêche, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Northern Mockingbird – Dec 16, Stittsville, Ottawa. Dec 15, Golden Line Rd, Mississippi Mills, Lanark.
Brown-headed Cowbird (11) Dec 17, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – Dec 17, Mansfield Road, Ottawa. Munster Wetlands, Ottawa. Malakoff Road, Richmond, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Continuing , Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – Continuing, Voyageur Dr, Orleans, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Dec 19, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. Dec 18, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 15 December 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
It’s count week for the first Christmas Bird Counts of the season, and some great birds are still here.
Cackling Goose – Dec 08, Russell storm pond, Prescott and Russell
Northern Shoveler – Dec 13-14, Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal – Continuing to Dec 10, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck – Continuing Dec 01-15, Ottawa River at Champlain Bridge, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continuing Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Horned Grebe – Dec 13-15, Bate Island, Ottawa. Dec 10, Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – Not rare but since now is the time to see them, there are at least 3 immature and an adult, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Scope helpful. May be seen along the Ottawa river as well.
Lesser black-backed Gull – Dec 15, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – A gorgeous and enormous second winter bird, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Dec 10-15, ch. Steele, Pontiac, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Dec 09 Parkway Rd, Ottawa. Dec 11, Prescott Russell Rec Trail at Magladry & Belvedere Rd, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Dec 12, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Dec 10, Greenbelt pathway south of Davidson Road, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Continuing Dec 01-13, Birchgrove x Magladry Rd., Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Continuing Dec 04-15, Fairmile Rd, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Dec 14, Pinecrest Creek/George C. Brown Park, Ottawa. Dec 13, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Richland, Ottawa. Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – Dec 10-15, Golden Line Rd, Mississippi Mills, Lanark. 1/2 mile south of Old Almonte Rd.
Brown-headed Cowbird (up to 50 reported at times) Dec 10,11, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird (4) Dec 14, Crystal Beach, Ottawa. Dec 09, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Continuing Dec 13, Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow – Dec 08, de Marseille, Gatineau.
Savannah Sparrow – Dec 13-14, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Check the manure pile.
Swamp Sparrow – Dec 09, Parc Guillot & Marais Lamoureux, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee – Dec 11, Voyageur Dr, Orleans, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dec 10, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. Près du belvédère.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 8 December 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The American Three-toed Woodpecker has resurfaced in time for Christmas Bird Count season! The Harlequin Duck and Boreal Chickadee stuck around, and are joined by a Tufted Titmouse.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Dec 04, Giroux Road, Ottawa.
Ross’s Goose – Continuing until at least Dec 05, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. Dec 05, Ottawa River pathway at Green’s Creek. Dec 04-05, Baillie Ave, Ottawa. Dec 04, Hawthorne Road, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Dec 02-04, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal – Continuing Dec 08, Andrew Haydon park, Ottawa. Dec 04, Winterset Road, Ottawa. (8) Reported Dec 02-04, Giroux Road, Ottawa.
Black Scoter – Continuing Dec 08, Andrew Haydon park, Ottawa.
Surf Scoter – Dec 02-06, Baie Simard (Cabane brune), Gatineau.
Harlequin Duck – Continuing Dec 01-07, Ottawa River at Champlain Bridge, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continuing Strathcona Park, Ottawa. Dec 08 Bates Island, Ottawa.
American Coot – Dec 03, Chaudière Island, Ottawa.
Sandhill Crane (40) Dec 08, Fairmile, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Dec 03, Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa.
Turkey Vulture – Dec 05, Trail Road, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Dec 08, Greenbelt Pathway, Just East of Conroy, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Continuing Parkway Rd, Ottawa. Dec 01, Chemin Deschênes, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Richland, Ottawa. Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Continuing Dec 01-08, Birchgrove x Magladry Rd., Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Continuing Dec 04-08, Fairmile Rd, Ottawa. Observers are welcome but please remain on the street and be respectful of private property.
Evening Grosbeak – Scattered reports all over. A couple of more reliable spots are the Crazy Horse Trail in the West, the Greenbelt Pathway East of Conroy in the East, and the Dewberry Trail feeders.
Pine Grosbeak – Scattered reports all over. A couple of more reliable spots are The Crazy Horse Trail in the West, and the Greenbelt Pathway East of Conroy in the East.
Rusty Blackbird – Dec 01, Ch Fer- à-Cheval/sentier des Libellules, Gatineau.
Brown-headed Cowbird – Dec 04, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa
Red-winged Blackbird – Dec 03, Frank Kenny Rd, Ottawa. Dec 02,Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dec 03, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Atlas note
Tufted Titmouse is one of handful of species that we are keeping a special look out for here in our region as a part of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: an effort to catalogue all of Ontario’s breeding birds that occurs every twenty years.
The species can be found down in southwestern Ontario, Niagara, and one or two spots along the St. Lawrence. They are also making substantial inroads to the east of us in the Richelieu Valley and into Montréal, but they aren’t really found here very often. That may be changing, however, hence our interest in reports of this attractive little bird with a big voice.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 1 December 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A late-breaking Harlequin Duck on the Ottawa River at the Champlain Bridge. Another Boreal Chickadee. A surprising flock of 17 distant American Coots.
Ross’s Goose (2) Dec 01 Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. Dec 01, Forest Park Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Northern Pintail (2) Dec 01, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal Dec 01, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Redhead – Nov 27, Winterset pond, Carp Watershed Restoration Area, Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck – Dec 01, River Trail at Island Park Drive, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continuing Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Black Scoter – Black and Surf are expected now in Ottawa, but a female Black Scoter in Quyon is late and rarely reported there. Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ruddy Duck – Nov 29, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
American Coot (17) Nov 26-27, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. Late season flocks used to be common there, but a flock this big is now notable concentration.
Golden Eagle – Dec 01, 2022 Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Nov 26-27, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Nov 27, Ch Pine Ridge, Wakefield, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Winter Wren – Nov 27, NNC Trail 21, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Richland Dr, Ottawa. Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Nov 27, NNC Trail 21, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Dec 01, Magladry Rd., Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Nov 28, Pleasant Park Woods, Ottawa.
There seems to an irruption of not rare, but always sought after, winter finches:
Evening Grosbeak – Scattered reports all over. A couple of more reliable spots are the Crazy Horse Trail in the West, and the Greenbelt Pathway East of Conroy in the East.
Pine Grosbeak – Scattered reports all over. A couple of more reliable spots are the Crazy Horse Trail in the West, and the Greenbelt Pathway East of Conroy in the East. Sound familiar?
Bohemian Waxwings – Scattered reports. Bigger numbers west of the circle, for example in Renfrew County.
White-crowned Sparrow – Nov 26, Moodie Drive Ponds, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – Dec 01, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Rusty Blackbird (7) Nov 27, Monson Ave, Ottawa. Nov 24, Chemin du Fer à Cheval, Gatineau.
Common Grackle – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat – Nov 26, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Did you know that even though fall is upon us, there are local birds that could be breeding at this time of year including both Red and White-winged Crossbills, Eastern Screech Owls, and Great Horned Owls. The Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas welcomes your observations of these species even if they are only heard or seen. The Atlas is a five-year effort that will 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. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Atlas Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 24 November 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Ross’s Goose – Continuing Winchester sewage lagoons, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Nov 18, Cayer Rd, North Dundas, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Northern Shoveler (7) Nov 20, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – A male back in Strathcona Park, Ottawa, once again.
Turkey Vulture – Nov 19, Britannia, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Nov 20, -Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Nov 19, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. Have you found your own northern woodpecker yet? There is one for everyone this year, you just have to find it.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Continuing Parkway Road (East of Greely), Ottawa. Nov 23, Ch Pine Ridge, Wakefield, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Nov 21,Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Nov 24, Pine Grove Trailhead P19, Ottawa. Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Richland Dr, Ottawa. Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Nov 23, Strathcona Park, Ottawa. Nov 18-19, Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa.
Swainson’s Thrush – Nov 20, Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak. Continuing Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. Everywhere in small numbers.
Fox Sparrow – Nov 22, Osgoode Trail, Ottawa. Nov 20, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. Fletcher Wildlife Gardens, Ottawa. Nov 12-20, Devlin Cres, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Nov 21, Pinetrail Crescent, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – Nov 18, Voyageur Dr, Orléans, Ottawa.
Rusty Blackbird – Nov 23, Ch Fer- à-Cheval/sentier des Libellules, Gatineau. Osgoode Trail, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Continuing, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Bay-breasted Warbler, Nov 18, Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa. An unidentified warbler was seen in addition. Keep an eye out.
Did you know that even though fall is upon us, there are local birds that could be breeding at this time of year including both Red and White-winged Crossbills, Eastern Screech Owls, and Great Horned Owls.
The Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas welcomes your observations of these species even if they are only heard or seen. The Atlas is a five-year effort that will 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. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Atlas Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 17 November 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A big movement of flocks of Red-throated Loons on Nov 16, with one flock of 120 birds. Three-toed woodpeckers continue with a new male at a new site this week. And a brief visit from a Kittiwake.
Ross’s Goose (4) Nov 11, 15, Winchester sewage lagoons, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Nov 15, PN de Plaisance–Tête de la Baie, Papineau. Nov 13, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. Nov 13, Route 500 W, The Nation, Prescott and Russell.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Nov 12-15, Hidden Lake Trail, Carp, Ottawa. Nov 10, 11, 14, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Black-legged Kittiwake – Nov 14, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Nov 11, Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa.
Red-shouldered Hawk x Red-tailed Hawk – Nov 13, Colonnade Road South, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Continuing to at least Nov. 15, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. Another male Nov 15, Rideau River Eastern Pathway, Ottawa. North of Billings Bridge?
Red-bellied Woodpecker – So many Red-bellied Woodpeckers! Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder,Ottawa. Nov 14-16, Rue Wells, Gatineau. Nov 15, Constance Bay, Ottawa (Along Bayview Drive near Ritchie). Nov 15, Beacon Hill North (calling near Rebecca and Oriole), Ottawa. Nov 14, Ch. Fer-à-Cheval/sentier des Libellules, Gatineau. Nov 13, Parkway Road (East of Greely), Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Nov 11, De La Sapinière, Luskville.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Richland Dr, Ottawa. Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Nov 12, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Gray Catbird – Nov 13, 15, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Common Grackle – Continuing, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Ovenbird – Nov 11-14, Apache Crescent, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 10 November 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Ross’s Goose (5) Nov 09, Winchester sewage lagoons, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Nov 08, Nov 04, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. Nov 06, County Road 5, Limoges, Prescott and Russell. Nov 05, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose (2) Nov 10, Nov 05-06, Moodie Drive Ponds, Ottawa. Nov 07, Hidden Lake Trail, Ottawa,
Blue-winged Teal (2) Nov 06, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa. Nov 04, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Pied-billed Grebe (2) Nov 07, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Greater Yellowlegs (4) Nov 06, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Great Egret – Continuing, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Turkey Vulture – Nov 06, County Road 22, Ottawa.
Red-shouldered Hawk – Nov 06, Kerwin Rd trail, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Nov 08, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – At least 3, last reported Nov . 06. Male and female, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. East Of Hawthorne, Greenbelt Pathway, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Nov 06, Greenbelt Pathway East from Hawthorne Rd, Ottawa. Nov 04, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Parc Marlene-Goyet, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Nov 08, Heart’s Desire Park, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak – large numbers in the region this week. The small flock at the woodpecker stakeout has been consistent.
Townsend’s Solitaire – Nov 09, Nepean/Barrhaven, Ottawa. Window strike.
Swamp Sparrow (5) Nov 07, PN de Plaisance–Presqu’îles (Grande & Petite), Papineau
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Nov 04, Perth Wildlife Reserve, Lanark.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 3 November 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Boreal treats for halloween: American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Black-backed Woodpeckers, and 2 recent Boreal Chickadees. The chickadees seem to be part of a larger movement with reports from Renfrew as well. 8 unseasonable warblers is noteworthy. A large flock of 37 Bonaparte’s was unusual for Oct 31.
Highlights
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Continuing. Both male and female seen on the greenbelt pathway trail just east of Conroy, Ottawa. Male last reported Nov 01.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Continuing. Female seen on the greenbelt pathway trail just east of Conroy , Ottawa. Another female Nov 03, Old Quarry Trail, Ottawa.
Little Gull – Oct 31, Petrie Island, Ottawa. Hanging with some Bonaparte’s.
Boreal Chickadee – Oct 27-28, Orlando Park, Ottawa.
Other interesting birds
Greater White-fronted Goose – Nov 03, Chapman Mills CA, Ottawa. North of Vimy Memorial Bridge. Oct 29, -Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Ross’s Goose – Oct 31, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Not to be confused with …
Snow x Ross’s Goose – Oct 29, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Blue-winged Teal – Oct 30, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Oct 30, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Lesser Yellowlegs – Nov 02-03, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
White-rumped Sandpiper (3) Oct 30, Rideau River – Black Rapids to Mosquito Creek, Ottawa.
Long-billed Dowitcher – Oct 31, Halte routière, Lochaber, Papineau.
Great Egret – Continuing, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Oct 30, Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Nov 02, Parc Marlene-Goyet, Gatineau. Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Oct 31, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa. Oct 29, NCC Trail 24, Ottawa.
Blue-headed Vireo – Nov 01, Rockcliffe Parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s Creek, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Black-and-white Warbler – Oct 30, Baie McLaurin, Gatineau.
Tennessee Warbler – Nov 01, Quail Dr, Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler – Oct 30, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat – Nov 02, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Cape May Warbler – Nov 01, Rockcliffe Parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s Creek, Ottawa.
Bay-breasted Warbler – Oct 30, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Yellow Warbler – Nov 01, Rockcliffe Parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s Creek, Ottawa.
Palm Warbler – Oct 30, Rockcliffe Parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s Creek, Ottawa.
The second year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is coming to a close. It is a five-year effort that will 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. Data compilation for this year is underway and submitting your records as soon as possible will be particularly helpful. Do you have some interesting sightings in eBird? It takes only 90 seconds to share your eBird checklist with the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Atlas Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 27 October 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
This week’s October’s special is Surf & Turf. Alcids and Dickcissels!
A new American Three-toed Woodpecker! And a late-breaking Cattle Egret just outside the circle in Lanark. 12 noteworthy warblers at the end of October is surprising. There was a strong visible migration today (Thursday) at the west end of Lake Deschenes, driven by cold northwesterlies, with hundreds of Brant along with other “northern” ducks including numbers of Pintail and widgeon. Not surprisingly, a good raptor push included a Northern Goshawk.
Highlights
Razorbill (2-4) Oct 24 Seen from Bates Island to the Rapides Deschênes. The razorbills were accompanied by a smaller alcid identified as a Puffin.
Atlantic Puffin – Oct 24, Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
American three-toed Woodpecker– Oct 22, Greenbelt P19, Ottawa. Near the C marker. Beware impassable trails. This was a male, so this is a different bird than last week.
Cattle Egret – Lanark 43, Merrickville, Lanark.
Boreal Chickadee – Oct 27, Heron Park, Ottawa.
Dickcissel – Oct 21-27, Bloomsbury Crescent, Ottawa. And another Oct 26, Gatineau! The Bloomsbury bird is surprisingly gettable with some patience.
Other sightings
Ross’s Goose – Oct 22, PN de Plaisance–Tête de la Baie, Papineau.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Oct 23, Oct 27 Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa. Oct 21, Wall and Trim, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Oct 23, Kettles Road, Ottawa, Ontario
Blue-winged Teal – Oct 24, Oct 22 Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Oct 24, Oct 22 Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Oct 22 Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Ruddy Duck – Oct 25 Seen from both sides of the river, from Britannia to Shirley’s Bay.
Sora – Oct 26, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa,
Virginia Rail – Oct 23, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark. Oct Kettles Road, Ottawa, Ontario
Common Gallinule – Oct 25, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Spotted Sandpiper – Oct 21-26, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Oct 26, Rue Wells, Gatineau. Oct 25-26, Bon Echo, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Oct 22, Petrie Island, Ottawa. Oct 22, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa.
Green Heron – Oct 26, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Oct 21-23, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Oct 21, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Osprey – Oct 22, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Oct 21, Russell @ Rockdale, Ottawa. lAN
Blue-headed Vireo – Oct 23, Clyde Woods, Ottawa. Oct 22, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (4) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Oct 26, Pine Grove Trail, Ottawa. Oct 26, Gloucester-Southgate, Ottawa. Oct 26, Pine Grove Trailhead P19, Ottawa. Oct 23-24, Chapel Hill North, Ottawa. Oct 23, Russell, Prescott and Russell.
Gray Catbird – Oct 23, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Savannah Sparrow – Oct 23, Lalonde Road, Prescott and Russell.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Oct 27, Manotick, Ottawa. Oct 23, Russell Trail Link, Ottawa. Oct 22, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa
Eastern Towhee – Oct 27, Kirchoffer Ave, Ottawa. Oct 23, Manotick, Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler – Reported Oct 23, Parc Queen, Gatineau. Oct 23, Britannia CA (the ridge), Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler – Oct 24, Chelsea, , Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Oct 23, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler – Oct 22, Parc Guillot & Marais Lamoureux, Gatineau. Oct 22, Nepean Tent and Trailer Campgrounds, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat – Oct 22, Nepean Tent and Trailer Campgrounds, Ottawa.
Cape May Warbler – Oct 23, Britannia CA–Woods, Ottawa.
Northern Parula – Oct 27, Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Oct 25, Green’s Creek Sewage Treatment Facility, Ottawa. Oct 23, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Oct 22, Remic Rapids and Champlain Bridge area (Kitchissippi Woods), Ottawa.
Bay-breasted Warbler – Oct 21, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Yellow Warbler – Oct 25, Green’s Creek Sewage Treatment Facility, Ottawa. Oct 24, Rockcliffe parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s creek, Ottawa.
Blackpoll Warbler – Oct 22, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Black-throated Blue Warbler – Oct 22, Strathcona Park, Ottawa. Oct 22, Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Blue-headed Vireo (2) Oct 22, Nepean Tent and Trailer Campgrounds, Ottawa.
Palm Warbler – Oct 23, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Black-throated Green Warbler – Oct 23, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Scarlet Tanager – Oct 23, Morris Island CA, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 20 October 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Barnacle Goose, Forster’s Tern, Boreal Chickadee, and nine species of woodpecker, including American Three-toed Woodpecker. Despite a lot of effort, few birders managed to find these birds. But there was plenty to see with an unusual number of late season warblers. And 4 Black-backed Woodpeckers within the 50-km circle this fall suggests some sort of movement for this irruptive species.
Ross’s Goose – Oct 16, PN de Plaisance–Tête de la Baie, Papineau.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Oct 18, Halte routière, Lochaber, Papineau.
Barnacle Goose – Oct 19, Birchgrove Road, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Oct 20, Marlborough Forest–Roger’s Pond, Ottawa. Oct 19, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Long-billed Dowitcher – Oct 07-14, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper – Oct 19, Nolan Quarry, Prescott and Russell. Oct 15, Ottawa River Pathway (view of Britannia Bay). Oct 15-16, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Forster’s Tern – Oct 17, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Osprey – Oct 15, Reeve Craig, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Oct 16, Ch Fer- à-Cheval/sentier des Libellules, Gatineau. Oct 16, Parc Marlene-Goyet, Gatineau. Oct 15, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Oct 16, Pine grove trail, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Oct 16, Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell.
Boreal Chickadee – Oct 19, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Tree Swallow – Oct 20, Britannia area, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Pine Grove trail, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak – Still everywhere. Enjoy it.
Pine Grosbeak – Oct 18, Parc Martin Larouche, Gatineau
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Oct 19, Chapman Mills CA, Ottawa. Oct 18, Stittsville Main St, Ottawa. Oct 18, Merivale Gardens, Ottawa. Oct 16, Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa. Oct 16, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Oct 16, McCooey Lane, Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler Oct 18, Mud Lake, Ottawa. Oct 18, Merivale Gardens, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Oct 20, Carp River, Hazeldean Rd to Maple Grove Rd, Ottawa. Oct 18, Stittsville Main St, Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler – Oct 19, Pine grove trail, Ottawa. Oct 18, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. Oct 16, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Oct 18, Merivale Gardens, Ottawa. Oct 16, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Gardens Corridor, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat– Oct 19, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. Oct 18, Marais Sabourin, Gatineau. Oct 18, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
American Redstart – Oct 16, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Cape May Warbler – Oct 19, Oct 16, Oct 14, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Northern Parula – Oct 19, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Black-throated Blue Warbler – Oct 18, Merivale Gardens, Ottawa. Oct 16, Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Palm Warbler – Oct 19, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Scarlet Tanager – Oct 20, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 13 October 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
There was a major movement of waterfowl on Oct 9, a day with strong northwesterlies and rain squalls, with birds seen in southward passage notably at the west end of Lake Deschenes. Not surprisingly, Oct 10 was an awesome day of birding.
White-winged Scoter – (5) Oct 12, east of Britannia Point, Ottawa. Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (7) Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (42) Oct 10, Andrew haydon park, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Oct 12, east of Britannia Point, Ottawa, and Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Brant – Moving along the river since Oct. 08.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Oct 08-12, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa (Winterset pond, in with Canada Geese, and sometimes Snow Goose and Cackling Goose).
Iceland Gull – Oct 07, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Red-throated Loon (2) Oct 09, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Black-billed/Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Oct 10, bike path south of Mud lake.
Common Nighthawk – Oct 11, Kanata–Beaverbrook Park, Ottawa.
Long-billed Dowitcher – Oct 07-12, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Moves around and disappears. Often in the northernmost pond.
Green Heron – Oct 12, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Oct 11-12, Fox Run stormwater ponds, Ottawa. Oct 08-12, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Oct 08, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Oct 12, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. Oct 08, Sentier des Voyageurs–Pont Champlain<->Parc des Rapides-Deschênes, Gatineau.
Wood Thrush – Oct 07, Beacon Hill North, Ottawa. Multi use path by river west of P7.
Swallow sp. – Oct 10, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Eastern Wood-Pewee – Oct 10, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
House Wren – Oct 07, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Marsh Wren – Oct 07-12, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Evening Grosbeak – All over the region.
Pine Grosbeak – Oct 09, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Snow Bunting (15) Oct 10, McFadden Road, Ottawa. Oct 10, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Baltimore Oriole – Oct 06, Wolf Grove, Lanark.
Tennessee Warbler – Oct 12, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa. Oct 12, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (3) Oct 10, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Oct 09, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat – Oct 09, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
American Redstart – Oct 09, Nepean Tent and Trailer Campgrounds, Ottawa.
Magnolia Warbler – Oct 12, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat – Oct 11, Beacon Hill North-general area, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 6 October 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A county first Tropical Kingbird! A nice influx of Evening Grosbeaks, and some lingering Nelson’s Sparrows.
Bufflehead – Oct 03, Parc Jacques-Cartier), Gatineau.
Greater White-fronted Goose (2) Oct 01, Sep 30, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Common Nighthawk – Oct 02 Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Sora – Oct 03, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa.
Long-billed Dowitcher – Sep 30, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark. Immature bird.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Sep 30, Gatineau Park Trail 59, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Tropical Kingbird – Oct 02, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. A 45-second, single observer sighting, but the observer had the presence of mind to snap off many photos.
Warbling Vireo – Oct 04, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Bank Swallow – Oct 01, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Barn Swallow – Oct 01, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
House Wren – Oct 04, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Oct 05, Constance Bay, Ottawa. Corner of Bayview and Dunster.
Evening Grosbeak – Oct 06, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa. (15) Oct 05, Transitway along Corkstown Road, Ottawa. (3) Oct 05, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (11) Oct 04, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa, “Flock of 9 mostly adult males flyover, 2 immature in trees.” (4) Oct 03, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Oct 03, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa. Oct 03, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Oct 02, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (6) Oct 01, West River Drive, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – Oct 01, Pinhey’s Point Historic Site, Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow – Oct 03, Constance Bay, Ottawa. Oct 02, Beckwith trails, McTavish Branch, Lanark. Sep30-Oct 01, Ottawa River at mouth of Constance Creek, Ottawa
Fox Sparrow – Oct 02, Torbolton, Ottawa.
Chestnut-sided Warbler – Oct 02, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa.
Ovenbird – Sep 30, sentier de ski nakkertok, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 29 September 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Lingering birds and an influx of fall migrants. White-crowned Sparrows are suddenly everywhere, and scattered reports of Lincoln’s and Nelson’s Sparrow.
Greater White-fronted Goose – (2) Sep 24-25, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Black-billed Cuckoo – Sep 24, Heart’s Desire Park, Ottawa.
Common Nighthawk – Sep 22, 24, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Redhead – Sep 22-27, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
American Coot – Sep 23-25, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
American Golden-Plover (4) Sep 23, Fourth Line Road, Ottawa.
Whimbrel – Sep 23, Ottawa International Airport, Ottawa.
White-rumped Sandpiper – Sep 25, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Least Bittern – Sep 23, South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa.
Least Flycatcher – Sep 25, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Sep 28, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. In the Old Field.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Sep 25, Hunt Line Rd, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Sep 27, Greenview Ave, Ottawa Sep 23, Southmore Dr E., Ottawa.
Veery – Sep 25, Baie McLaurin, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee (2) All on Sep 24: Fine Estate, Ottawa. Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. Nepean Tent and Trailer Campgrounds, Ottawa. A movement on the 24th?
Clay-colored Sparrow – Sep 24, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa,
Nelson’s Sparrow (6) Sep 27, Ottawa River, Ottawa. Sep 26, Saint Fillans Road, Carleton Place, Lanark. (5) Sep 24, Ottawa River, Prescott and Russell.
Fox Sparrow – Sep 25, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier de la sucrerie, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Sep 24, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Sep 28, Giroux Rd, Navan, Ottawa. Sep 26, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.Sep 25, St west of Joy’s Rd, Ottawa. Sep 24, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Sep 22, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Probably many more.
Canada Warbler – Sep 24, Near Hampton Park, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 22 September 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Orange-crowned Warbler season! Late swallows, and a continuous stream of warblers. Duck and goose diversity increases. And a super rare hawk!
Snow Goose – Sep 22, Burritt’s Rapids–Tip to Tip Trail, Leeds and Grenville. Check those flocks for Cacklers and Snows.
Cackling Goose (2) Sep 19, Andrew Haydon Park east (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa.
Redhead (2-6) Sep 20-21, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
American Golden-Plover Sep 18-19, Andrew Haydon Park, and Jay St, Ottawa. Presumably the same bird.
Baird’s Sandpiper – Sep 19, Constance Bay (river area), Ottawa. (2) Sep 17, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Bank Swallow (2) Sep 20, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Cliff Swallow – Sep 20, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (3) Sep 20, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Swainson’s Hawk – Sep 17, Breckenridge, Chemin Smith-Léonard, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Sep 17, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Sep 21, John C. Foster Park, Leeds and Grenville.
Least Flycatcher – Sep 22, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Sep 17, Chemin de la Rivière, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Sep 17, Constance Bay, Ottawa. Sep 18, Pine Grove trail, Ottawa. Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak (2) Sep 19, Gatineau view crescent, Ottawa. (5) Sep 17, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Clay-colored Sparrow – Sep 21, March Valley Road, Ottawa. Always double-check the little brown birds. Sep 16, Burnt Lands Provincial Park, Ottawa
Canada Warbler – Sep 18, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Northern Waterthrush – Reported Sep 17, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Sep 17, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa. Sep 19, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 15 September 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Cerulean Warbler! Cold fronts! Nocturnal thrush migration!
Orange-crowned warblers incoming! What’s not to love about fall migration? Heavy migration overnight Wednesday – will Thursday night be as rich?
Snow Goose – Sep 10, Green’s Creek Sewage Treatment Facility, Ottawa.
Red-necked Grebe – Sep 09, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Baird’s Sandpiper – Sep 15, Constance Bay, Ottawa. Sep 11-14, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau. Sep 14 , Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Least Bittern – Sep 11, South March Highlands, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Sep 15, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Sep 10, River Road, Ottawa.
Alder Flycatcher – Sep 13, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Sep 10, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Sep 11, Stanley Park, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Sep 09, De La Sapinière, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa Mud Lake, Ottawa. Sep 10, Pinecrest Creek/George C. Brown Park, Ottawa. Sep 14, Frank Bender St, Ottawa. Sep 09, Olde Towne Ave, Russell, Prescott and Russell.
Evening Grosbeak – Sep 14, Athlone Avenue, Ottawa. (7) Sep 13, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Clay-colored Sparrow – Sep 13, Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa. (2) Sep 11, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa. Sep 10, Giroux Rd and ponds, Ottawa.
Bobolink (25) Sep 12, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Sep 15, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Sep 11, Piste cyc. Sentier des Voyageurs-Parc Brébeuf-Pont Champlain, Gatineau.
Blue-winged Warbler – Sep 12, Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Reported Sep 11, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa. Sep 10, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Cerulean Warbler – Sep 10, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
White-winged Crossbill – Sep 09, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 8 September 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Lesser Scaup, Station d’epuration, Gatineau.
Snow Goose, Sep 5 Carlton Place, Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Red-necked Grebe – Sep 05, 08 Moodie drive Quarry, Ottawa. Sep 07 Andrew Hayden park, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Sep 03 Nepean tent and Trailer Campgrounds, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo, Sep 05 Champlain Park woods, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Sep 04 Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. Sep 02 Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren, Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Clay-colored Sparrow, Sep 08, Pinhey’s point, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 1 September 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Red Knot (1) – Last reported Aug 26, Petrie Island, Ottawa. (1) Aug 27, Halte routière, Lochaber, Papineau.
Baird’s Sandpiper (1) – Aug 31, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (2) Aug 29, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Pectoral Sandpiper (1) – Aug 31, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Ruddy Turnstone (1) – Aug 27, Britannia Point, Ottawa.
Least Bittern (2) – Aug 27, South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron (1) – Aug 27, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Red-headed Woodpecker (3) – Len Purcell Drive, Ottawa
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1) Aug 31, Petrie Island, Ottawa,
Yellow-throated Vireo (1) – Aug 29, Sheila McKee Park, Ottawa. (1) Aug 27, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Aug 27, Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) – Aug 30, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Dark-eyed Junco (1) – Aug 27, South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 25 August 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A lovely week of birding with Yellow-throated Vireo, Ruddy Turnstone, a posing Red Knot and even some flyby Whimbrel.
Common Goldeneye (3) – Aug 23, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Red-necked Phalarope – Aug 20, Crysler Lagoons, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Ruddy Turnstone – Aug 24, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Red Knot – Aug 23 To 25, Petrie Island, Ottawa. Juvenile.
Sanderling (2) – Aug 23, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
White-rumped Sandpiper (2) – Aug 23, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Short-billed Dowitcher – Aug 21-23, Station d’épuration, (Masson-Angers), Gatineau.
Whimbrel (23) – Flyby of Andrew Haydon Park East (with many other shorebirds, including American Golden Plovers).
Lesser Black-backed Gull (5) – Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Aug 24-25, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Just west of the entrance to the woods and the ridge, along Cassels. Aug 22, Rue Wells, Gatineau.
Philadelphia Vireo – Reported Aug 19-20, Aug 22, Britannia CA, Ottawa. Aug 20, Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa. Aug 19, South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa. Aug 21-22, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Aug 21, Nolan Quarry, Prescott and Russell.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Aug 25, Dovercourt, Ottawa. Aug 19, 21, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa . ” In small woodlot just south of pumping station.”
Carolina Wren – Continuing Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Dark-eyed Junco (2) – Aug 20, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 19 August 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
An influx of Philadelphia Vireos and the expected migrant warblers spiced up the birding this week.
Common Goldeneye – Aug 17, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Female-type.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Aug 13, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Red-necked Phalarope – Aug 12, Crysler Lagoons, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Baird’s Sandpiper (2-3) Aug 17, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (4?) Britannia CA, Ottawa. 2 or more immatures and two adult birds. 1 Adult at Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Rare for Lanark, Aug 13-16, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark. 2 juveniles.
Least Bittern (6) Aug 13,South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa.
Philadelphia Vireo – Aug 16-18, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Aug 18, Richmond SW – Joys Rd south, Ottawa. Aug 13, Pinecrest Creek mouth, Ottawa, and Stanley Park, Ottawa. Aug 13, Parc de la Gatineau–Belvédère Champlain, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-throated Vireo (2) Aug 15, Jock River through Richmond Fen, Ottawa. Probably breeding birds.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Aug 17, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Aug 17, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Aug 14, Appaloosa Drive, Ottawa, and Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Aug 13, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Aug 12, and Aug 14, Britannia CA (ridge), Ottawa. Aug 14, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Willow Flycatcher – Aug 13, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Aug 14, Richmond CA.
Pine Siskin – Continuing Pinecrest Park, Ottawa. Aug 14, Monty Drive, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Warbler – Aug 16, Chemin Sauve, Younger to Baie, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais,
Across our region we’re encountering birds carrying food or young birds being fed by parents. These observations are welcome in the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, a five-year effort to provide data that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. For more information on how you can easily contribute to this pan-Ontario community based science effort, please visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 11 August 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Recent rain means little to no shorebird habitat along the river, but lots of temporary puddles are attracting shorebirds to fields.
Horned Grebe – Aug 10, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau. Breeding plumage.
American Coot – Aug 09, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Immature.
Ruddy Turnstone (3) – Aug 08, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau. Breeding plumage.
Red-necked Phalarope – Aug 11, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Juvenile at the mouth of the creek at the west end of AHP (the creek that flows into Graham Bay). Aug 07, Lac St Germain in Val des Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (5) – Britannia CA, all immature, seen from the west end of the base of the ridge, Ottawa. Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Bate Island, Ottawa.
Least Bittern – Aug 10, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – (4) Torbolton Forest (Goodin St. Len Purcell, etc.), Ottawa.
Peregrine Falcon – Rare for Lanark, continues at the Carleton Place/Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Philadelphia Vireo – Aug 09, Britannia CA (ridge), Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Aug 07, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Aug 09, Britannia CA(Britannia Ridge), Ottawa.
Sedge Wren – Continues on Stitsville Trans Canada Trail, observation deck next to the marshy area, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Aug 10, Stanley Park, Ottawa, “in the small tree lot between the soccer field and the wildflower meadow”
Pine Siskin – Aug 10, Pinecrest Park, Ottawa. Aug 06, Stanley Park, Ottawa.
eBird tip direct from the eBird reviewers: At this time of year Mallards are in heavy moult, some individuals becoming so dark as to make confusion with American Black Duck (or hybrids) possible. A good feature to look for is tail colour, with mallards showing variable amounts of white in the tail; Blacks will have uniformly dark tails. American Black Duck is now a scarce breeder in our region, so the vast majority at this time of year will be Mallards, not Black.”
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 4 August 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (5) Aug 03, Rapides Deschênes.
Least Bittern (4) Aug 04, South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – (5), Torbolton Forest (Goodin St. Len Purcell, etc.), Ottawa. Aug 01, Chemin de la Lyrique, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Aug 01, Andrew Haydon Park east (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa. Jul 29, Rue René-Thérien, Gatineau.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Aug 03, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Pine Siskin – Aug 04, Pinecrest Park, Ottawa. Aug 02, Cumberland Village, Ottawa. Jul 31, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – continuing to at least Jul 30, Concession 12 right-of-way, NW of Burnt Lands PP, Lanark.
Cerulean Warbler – Jul 28, Aylmer rural – secteur sud-ouest, Gatineau. A migrating Cerulean spotted in a mixed flock.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 28 July 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Short-billed Dowitcher – Jul 24-27 Hanson Brick Quarry, Prescott and Russell (but keep an eye out at the Chrysler dam, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, for shorebirds).
Wilson’s Phalarope – Jul 26 Hanson Brick Quarry, Prescott and Russell.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Jul 24 Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa
Red-headed Woodpecker – (as many as 12!) Torbolton Forest (Goodin St.), Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (2) – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Sedge Wren (2) – Jul 20-28, Trans Canada Trail just west of Stittsville, Ottawa. Reported SW of the observation deck.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Jul 28, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Pine Siskin – Jul 26, Hanson Brick Quarry, Prescott and Russell. Jul 22, Pinecrest Park, Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler – Jul 28, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa. Jul 22 Stinson Ave, Ottawa
Northern Parula – Jul 28 Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa. Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Jul 26 Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Jul 24 Mud Lake, Ottawa, and Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 21 July 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Quiet, but multiple reports of Philadelphia Vireo hint at migration to come.
Sanderling – Jul 18, Petrie Island Park, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Jul 15, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (2) – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Sedge Wren (2) – Jul 20, Trans Canada Trail just west of Stittsville, Ottawa. Seen singing from the observation deck.
Philadelphia Vireo – Jul 17, Mud Lake, Ottawa. Jul 15, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa. Jul 15, Cowell Rd, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – Continues, Ottawa International Airport (Paul Benoit Driveway, Croil Private), Ottawa.
Red Crossbill (9) Jul 16, Burnt Lands from Concession 12 North, Lanark.
Northern Parula – Jul 21, Joys Rd south of Garvin Rd, Ottawa. Jul 18, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Jul 17, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler – Jul 15, Cowell Rd, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 14 July 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
An out-of-season jaeger!
Common Goldeneye – Jul 10, 50 Jay St, Ottawa.
Parasitic Jaeger – Jul 12-13, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Adult light phase. First seen below the Deschênes rapids, then re-found at Andrew Haydon.
Bonaparte’s Gull – (2) Jul 13, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa, defending territory. (2) Quartier Wychwood, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Continuing Jul 09, Pakenham Concession 9, Lanark.
Northern Mockingbird – (4-5) Jun 22-Jul 014, Ottawa International Airport (Paul Benoit Driveway, Croil Private), Ottawa. At least 3 birds reported July 14.
A note for the atlassers: Red Crossbills have moved in, including a family group seen just west of the circle.
Northern Parula – Jul 10, Greys Creek Road at Stone School road, Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler – In the green space between Featherston and Urbandale, Jul 08, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 7 July 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Hungry baby birds everywhere! A few Siskins visiting feeders. If that isn’t your thing, hit the shorebird books – they are imminent.
Trumpeter Swan – Jun 30, Marais aux Grenouillettes, Gatineau.
Greater Yellowlegs – Jul 03, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Great Black-backed Gull – Jul 05, Britannia Point, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa, defending territory. (2) Jun 18-Jul 03, Quartier Wychwood, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Olive-sided Flycatcher (2) Jul 02, Pakenham Concession 9, Lanark.
Northern Mockingbird – (3) Jun 22-Jul 06, Ottawa International Airport (Paul Benoit Driveway, Croil Private), Ottawa. Possibly only one bird left by Jul 06.
Yellow-throated Vireo (1) Jul 02, Old Quarry Road (off Torbolton Ridge Road, not old Quarry Trail), Ottawa.
Pine Siskin – Jul 7, Escarpment Cres, Ottawa. (4) July 02, Spruce Ridge Rd area, Ottawa. Jul 02, Watts Creek Pathway, Ottawa. Jul 01, Kanata near Tangiers Outlets, Ottawa.
Northern Parula – Jul 7, Stonebridge Trail Park, Ottawa. Jul 03, Ferry Road, Ottawa. Jul 02, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 30 June 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Quiet, but a couple of nice breeding records: Pine Siskin and Northern Mockingbird.
Cackling Goose – Jun 25, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – (4) Jun 27, Heaphy Rd, Ottawa. (3) Jun 24-25, Bruce Pit Ottawa.
Common Goldeneye – Jun 26-27, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Red-breasted Merganser – Jun 27, Sentier des Voyageurs, Gatineau.
Little Gull – Jun 01-27, Rapides Deschênes.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. (2) Jun 18-24, Quartier Wychwood, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Northern Mockingbird – (3) Jun 22-27, Ottawa International Airport (Paul Benoit Driveway, Croil Private), Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Jun 28, Parc de la Gatineau–Lac Meech, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Pine Siskin – Report of (4) Jun 25, Spruce Ridge Rd, Ottawa. Fledglings!
Golden-winged Warbler – Continues, Chemin de l’Hôtel de Ville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Blue-winged Warbler – Chemin de l’Hôtel de Ville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 23 June 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Trumpeter Swan – Pair continues at Constance Creek, Ottawa. (3) Continuing, Marais aux Grenouillettes, Gatineau.
Greater Yellowlegs – Jun 22, Fine Estate, Ottawa. I hate to break the news, but that’s a slightly early returning fall migrant. Get ready for the fall shorebirds.
Curlew Sandpiper – Jun 20, Alfred Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. Outside the OFNC circle, but a good reminder to bird Alfred, because sometimes great stuff shows up there.
Little Gull – Jun 01-22, Rapides Deschênes.
Bonaparte’s Gull – Britannia CA–Filtration Plant, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – (2) Jun 17, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa. Jun 19, Chemin Sauvé, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Jun 18, Piste cyc. Sentier des Voyageurs, Gatineau. (2) Jun 18, Quartier Wychwood, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Northern Mockingbird – Jun 22-23, Ottawa International Airport (Paul Benoit Driveway), Ottawa. Jun 20, Buckingham (sortie 174), Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Pine Siskin – (2) Jun 23, Spruce Ridge Rd, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Jun 17, Monty Drive, Ottawa. Also on Jun 17, 9th Concession, Lanark. Other scattered reports from Eastern Ontario, so atlassers beware!
Golden-winged Warbler – Continues, Chemin de l’Hotel de Ville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 16 June 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Quiet season. Catch up on your atlasing; fall migration starts in less than a month.
Trumpeter Swan – Pair continues at Constance Creek, Ottawa. (3) Jun 14, Marais aux Grenouillettes, Gatineau. Jun 13, (near) Roger’s Pond, Ottawa. Jun 11, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa.
Snow Goose – Jun 12, Field off Huntmar Dr., near Robert Grant Ave, Ottawa. Reported Jun 12, Carp Creek Retaining ponds, Ottawa. Same late bird?
Ruddy Turnstone – Jun 11, River Trail at Island Park Drive, Ottawa.
Jun 10, Parc des Cèdres, Gatineau.
Semipalmated Sandpiper – Jun 13, Appleton, Lanark. (10) Jun 11, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa.
Little Gull – Jun 01-16, Rapides Deschênes. Now officially ‘ridiculously long-staying’.
Bonaparte’s Gull – Continue in small numbers at Britannia CA–Filtration Plant, Ottawa/Baie Simard, Gatineau. (3) on Jun 16, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (2) Jun 12, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Great Black-backed – Jun 15, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Caspian Tern – Jun 14 Britannia Point, Ottawa. Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa. Jun 10, Chemin de la Symphonie, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Jun 11, Thomas Dolan (in the Carp Hills). Jun 15, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Golden-winged Warbler – Jun 13-15, Chemin de l’Hotel de Ville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 9 June 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Gull month continues with a rare Laughing Gull and a long-staying Little Gull! With a lack of habitat to concentrate them, shorebird sightings are scattered.
Redhead – Jun 08, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Red-necked Phalarope – Jun 03, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Black-bellied Plover – Jun 06, Chrysler bridge and dam, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Semipalmated Plover – Jun 09, Flewellyn Road, Ottawa. Jun 08, Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields, Ottawa.
Red Knot – Jun 09, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. Seen only in flight.
Sanderling – Jun 05, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
White-rumped Sandpiper – Jun 05-06, RN du Marais-Trépanier, Gatineau.
Least Sandpiper (2) – Jun 04, Leitrim Road West, Ottawa.
Short-billed Dowitcher (2) – Jun 06-07, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Jun 04-05, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa.
Little Gull – Jun 01-09, Britannia CA, Ottawa. Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa, also seen from Baie Simard, Gatineau. This is an extremely long visit from this beautiful and rare bird, and a rare chance to study it. The bird is immature.
Bonaparte’s Gull (as many as 12) – Jun 09, Britannia CA-Filtration Plant, Ottawa/Baie Simard, Gatineau. Acting as camouflage for the Little Gull and other vagrants, the Bonaparte’s continues. Most in non-adult plumage, so have fun spotting the Little Gull.
Laughing Gull – Jun 07, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Also reported from Baie Simard/Deschênes, Gatineau on the 7th. Jun 06, Cambrian Rd W & Old Richmond Rd, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Jun 05-06, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Franklin’s Gull – last reported here on May 29, but it’s just downriver near Hawkesbury on Jun 09, so might it return? Keep an eye out.
Caspian Tern – Jun 04-08, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (2-3) Jun 07-08, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa.
Arctic Tern – Jun 06, Britannia CA-Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa. Jun 08, Chemin de la Symphonie, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Jun 03-04, Chemin de la Lyrique, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Jun 04, Osgoode, Ottawa.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Jun 03, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – Jun 05, River Trail at Island Park Drive, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill (3) – Jun 04, Manotick, Ottawa.
Northern Parula – Jun 04, Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 2 June 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The game this week is “which of these things is not like the others?” with the flock of small black-headed gulls over Deschênes rapids. Check the Bonnies for vagrants. Arctic Terns were part of a very nice fallout that included Brant, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser and shorebirds along the Ottawa river.
Lesser Scaup – (2) May 26-28, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Jun 02, Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa.
Snow Goose – Jun 01, Pine View Golf Course, Ottawa. Reported May 26, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Cackling Goose – May 29, Marais aux grenouillettes, Gatineau.
American Golden-Plover – May 30-31, Brophy Road, Ottawa.
Red-necked Phalarope – Jun 02, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Seen east of Britannia Point. Small shorebird sitting on the water.
White-rumped Sandpiper – May 28, Moodie Drive Ponds, Ottawa. May 28-30, RN du Marais-Trépanier, Gatineau. May 31, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
White-rumped Sandpiper – May 26-30, RN du Marais-Trépanier, Gatineau.
Pectoral Sandpiper – May 26, RN du Marais-Trépanier, Gatineau.
Short-billed Dowitcher – Reported May 26-Jun 01, RN du Marais-Trépanier, Gatineau.
Whimbrel – (14) May 27, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa. (26) May 30, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (2) May 31, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Little Gull – Jun 01-02, Britannia CA, Ottawa. Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa, also seen from Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Franklin’s Gull – May 26-29, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa, also seen from Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – May 30, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Caspian Tern – May 26, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa. May 28, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Arctic Tern – May 26-27, and June 02, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa, also seen from Baie Simard, Gatineau. Many small flocks migrated upriver, with at least one flock as large as 12 reported. Fewer birds on the 27. 1 on June 02. The terns were also seen from Shirley’s Bay.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa. May 31, Chemin Sauvé, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-throated Vireo – May 31, Jock River thru Richmond Fen, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. May 30, Rue René-Thérien, Gatineau.
White-winged Crossbill – (15 including juveniles) May 26, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Louisiana Waterthrush – Continues, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier de la Chute, Gatineau.
Northern Parula – Jun 01, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Prothonotary Warbler – Recorded May 29, Forest Park, Prescott and Russell.
We are now in the second year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: an ambitious five-year effort to provide data that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. Participation is easy and can be as simple as noting a singing bird in your neighbourhood, or watching a bird with nesting material. For more information, watch the introductory video on the OFNC Facebook Group, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 26 May 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
In the calm immediately following this week’s violent storm, the birds were singing like a dawn chorus. The dawn chorus sounds joyful and energetic to human ears, but it’s essentially a bunch of birds announcing that they are still here after the dangers of the night, and that they still hold their territories. Then again, why shouldn’t it feel joyful to us?
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 19 May 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
All the flycatchers have returned, and most of the breeding warblers. Common Nighthawk and Eastern Whip-poor-will are back on territory. Yep, almost time to start thinking about fall migration.
Trumpeter Swan – Vances Side Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Common Goldeneye – May 17, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Redhead – Another lingerer, May 15, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Greater Scaup – In with Lesser Scaup, May 16, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Snow Goose – Reports of late Snow Goose from PN de Plaisance–Rivière des Outaouais, Papineau on May 14. 500 still around Giroux Road Ponds, Ottawa as late as May 17.
Cackling Goose – May 14, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – (3) May 19, Rushmore Road, Ottawa. May 19, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa
Iceland Gull – May 15, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Caspian Tern – Shirley’s Bay to Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. May 14,PN de Plaisance–Tête de la Baie, Papineau.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa. At least 4 on Goodin this week. A rarer report from Burnt Lands PP, Ottawa, on May 14.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – (2) May 16, -Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Western Kingbird – May 16, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Northern Mockingbird – May 14, David Bartlett Park, Ottawa.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – Reported May 13, Parc Champlain, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Yellow-throated Vireo – May 18, Ch. de la Sapinière, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Usually singing from whichever street your compiler is not at.
Gray-cheeked Thrush – May 18, Domaine Mackenzie-King, Gatineau.
Orchard Oriole – May 18, Green’s Creek Sewage Treatment Facility, Ottawa. No public access, but keep an eye/ear open when birding nearby.
Evening Grosbeak – May 14, Pinhey Forest, Ottawa.
Louisiana Waterthrush – Continues, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier de la Chute, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 12 May 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Not many rarities, but a nice influx of new birds plus a few late ones, and lots of reasons to go birding.
Trumpeter Swan – Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa. Pair continues along Heaphy Rd., Marlborough Forest, Ottawa. Vances Side Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – May 09, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Northern Pintail – May 10, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Common Goldeneye – (8) May 09, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark. Rare for the date in Lanark.
Greater White-fronted Goose – May 11, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Ross’s Goose – (2) May 06, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa, with 250 Snow Geese.
Brant – A flock seen from Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa, May 12.
Dunlin – (3) May 06, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – May 06, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. May 06, Second Line Rd S, Ottawa. First summer bird.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (9) May 06, Second Line Rd S, Ottawa (various ages, no adults).
Caspian Tern – May 12, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. May 10, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Black Tern – A single bird with Common terns, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa, May 10.
Red-throated Loon – May 09, Armitage Ave, Ottawa.
Black Vulture – May 06, Blue Jay Drive, Clarence-Rockland, Prescott and Russell, soaring west. The same bird was then seen over Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – May 06, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Olive-sided Flycatcher – May 12, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Sumac field, but beware the aggressive Wild Turkeys.
Yellow-throated Vireo – Reported singing in the Baxter CA, May 10. Ottawa.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – May 09, Kitchissippi Woods, just west of the Champlain Bridge.
Carolina Wren – Pair continues in Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. May 06, J Henry Tweed CA, Prescott and Russell.
Louisiana Waterthrush – Continues to at least May 10, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier de la Chute, Gatineau.
We are now in the second year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: an ambitious five-year effort to provide data that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. Participation is easy and can be as simple as noting a singing bird in your neighbourhood, or watching a bird with nesting material. For more information, watch the introductory video on the OFNC Facebook Group, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 5 May 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Big story of the week was the Lark Sparrow on Twin Elm Road May 02-03. This road produces good shorebirds, gulls, and apparently sparrows, from time to time. A sparse handful of new warblers in small numbers.
Trumpeter Swan – Pair May 02, Vances Side Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – A handful seem to have passed right over Ottawa: May 04 Wychwood, Aylmer, Gatineau. May 04, Parc Queen, Gatineau. May 03, Rue rémi , cantley, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. May 01, Rue de Saturne, Cantley, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Lesser Yellowlegs – 50+ at Richmond Lagoons, Ottawa, May 05.
Iceland Gull – May 05, Twin Elm Road, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – (7) May 05, Twin Elm Road, Ottawa. May 03, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. May 03, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull – (14) on Lake Deschenes May 05.
Caspian Tern – Reported May 01, Baie McLaurin, Gatineau.
Rough-legged Hawk – May 02, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa. May 01, RN de Breckenridge, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – pair interacting May 04, Cowell Rd, Ottawa. Apr 30, Chemin Cook, Gatineau.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – May 03- 04, Imp de l’Excursion, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – Pair continues in Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Apr 29, Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Marsh Wren – May 02-04, Cameron Harvey Drive, Ottawa. May 01, NCC greenbelt P27, Ottawa.
Bohemian Waxwing – (14) May 05, Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa. May 02, Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. (25) Apr 29, Holbrook Rd, Montague, Lanark.
Lark Sparrow – May 02-03, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow – May 03, Du Bois Ave, Ottawa.
Louisiana Waterthrush – May 04-05, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier Lauriault and Sentier de la Chute, and Gatineau.
Cape May Warbler – May 03,Stanley Park, Ottawa
Blackburnian Warbler – May 01, Mud Lake, Ottawa,
Orange-crowned Warbler – May 04, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier Gamelin, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 28 April 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
This was a big migration week. Some species such as Yellow Warbler and Spotted Sandpiper went from rare to ubiquitous. Lots of Palm and Pine Warblers now. The story of the week though was the stunning flight of Broad-winged Hawk on April 25. Many observers reported dozens of Broad-winged Hawks, and some even counted over 100.
Ross’s Goose – Apr 14-28, Holland’s Marsh (Old HWY 7 just south of Hunt Line), Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Apr 25, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark, Ontario
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian x American) – Apr 24, Ch. de la Sapiniere, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Trumpeter Swan – Apr24, Stonecrest Rd, Ottawa.
Solitary Sandpiper – Apr 25-27, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa. Apr 26, Holland’s Marsh, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – Apr 25-26, 2022 Dow’s Lake, Ottawa. Apr 25, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Adult Apr 21, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Apr 26, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Black Vulture – Just on the edge of the OFNC circle, Apr 27, Richardson Rd, Montague, Lanark.
Golden Eagle – Apr 25 Migrating North over the Rideau and Sandy Hill, Ottawa. Apr 23, Shirley’s Bay (Hilda Road feeders), Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Great Crested Flycatcher – Apr 28, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa. Apr 26, Ch d’Amour, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – Pair continues in Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Snow Bunting – Apr 23, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – Apr 27, Whitmore Ave, Ottawa. Apr 25, Orleans, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird – Apr 28, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. Apr 27, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Apr 25, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark. Apr 22, 2022 Greenbelt Trail 51, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – Apr 26, Central Experimental Farm Arboretum, Ottawa.
Northern Shrike – Apr 23, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Northern Waterthrush – Apr 26, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Black-throated Green Warbler – Apr 26, Chemin Younger, Lac McGregor, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 21 April 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Interested in Ontario’s Breeding Bird Atlas project?
Birds are returning every day and as a result, Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas activity is ramping up again. Participation is easy and your observations will provide Canadian scientists, government officials, and conservation professionals with data that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come.
A number of events are planned as a part of the launch the second year of the Atlas. Find out more about the Atlas and the Ottawa Region on the OFNC Facebook page at 1900 Thursday for a live event. Or you can pop by the Bandstand at Vincent Massey park at 1100 on Sunday 24 April for a Meet and Greet. For more on the Atlas – including how to register – please visit: https://www.birdsontario.org/2022-kickoff/
Ross’s Goose – Apr 14-15, Holland’s Marsh (Old HWY 7 just south of Hunt Line), Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Apr 15, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian) – i.e. Common Teal. Apr 15-16, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – 7 on Apr 17, Sentier E Lalande, Plaisance, Papineau. 4 Apr 13-15, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Trumpeter Swan – Apr 18 John Shaw Road. Apr 18, Stonecrest Rd, Ottawa.
Common Gallinule – Apr 18, Beaver Pond Trail, Ottawa.
Sora – Apr 19, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Apr 15, Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Apr 19, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird – Apr 16, Sentier Lauriault, Parc de la Gatineau, Gatineau.
Cliff Swallow – Apr 19, Deschênes, Gatineau. Apr 16, Carlsbad Ln, Ottawa. Big flocks of swallows are being reported at various locations, so check for vagrants. Purple Martins have returned to Andrew Hayden park, ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Pair continues in Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa (singing near Tavistock). Hurdman Woods, Apr 20. Apr 18, Beaver Pond Trail, Ottawa. Kanata lakes, Apr 17.
Snow Bunting – 30 on Apr 15, Donald B. Munro Drive, Ottawa
Palm Warbler – A handful hit the region this week at: Watt’s Creek Pathway; Chapman Mills CA; Giroux Ponds; all Ottawa. Rapides Deschênes and Marais des Laîches, both Gatineau. Yellow-rumped and Pine warblers are already fairly common.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 14 April 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Barnacle goose! Get out the shorebird guide, because the Greater Yellowlegs are back, and they are the leading edge of shorebirds. What new birds will arrive on Friday’s winds?
Ross’s Goose – Apr 14, Holland’s Marsh (Old HWY 7 just south of Hunt Line), Ottawa.
Barnacle Goose – Apr 10-13, Seen on back and forth between Russell Road and Milton Road, Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Apr 13, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa. Apr 11, Holland’s Marsh, Ottawa. Apr 11, Giroux Road Ponds, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continues to Apr 12, Stanley Park, or Kingsview Park, Ottawa.
Redhead – 2 on Apr 12, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Black Scoter – A single male Apr 10, Dick Bell Park, Ottawa.
White-winged Scoter – 2 Apr 08, Lake Park, Lanark.
Tundra Swan – 4 Apr 13, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau. 2-9 birds, continued to at least Apr 12, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell. 3 Apr 11, Milton Road, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Continuing pairs in Marlborough Forest at Roger’s Pond, Ottawa, and at the creek on Kettles Road, Ottawa. Pair Apr 08, March Rd, Ottawa. Single flyover at Tunney’s pasture, Ottawa, on Apr. 08. Apr 13, Carlisle Circle, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – At least two in the area with an immature Apr 11, Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Ottawa. Adult Apr 09, Moodie Drive, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – Apr 11, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Caspian Tern – Apr 08, Rideau River-long reach, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Apr 10, Milton Road, Ottawa. Apr 09, Bill Mason Centre, Ottawa. Apr 09, Frank Kenny Road at the bridge, Ottawa. Apr 09, Lake Park, Lanark.
Red-headed Woodpecker – 3-4 birds Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Apr 10, Lauriault Trail, Chelsea, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren – Pair continues in Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa (singing near Tavistock).
American Pipit – 2 photographed Apr 08, Chemin Industriel, Gatineau.
Fox Sparrows – Suddenly everywhere, but only for the next three weeks
Yellow-rumped warbler – Not rare for the date, but an exciting sign of spring, a handful of yellow-rumps were reported this week: Roger’s pond in Marlborough Forest, Ottawa; Armitage Ave, Ottawa; Rideau Canal at the Ottawa River; and Mississippi Lake #7 bridge view, Lanark.
Shorebird tip – The fence at the Embrun has been moved, permitting views of two of the lagoons without trespassing. When parking, be careful not to block the gate or the blackwater dump.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 7 April 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Most of the herons and many Tree Swallows returned this week. Still lots of great geese and waterfowl. A Pink-footed Goose and a male Tufted Duck put in brief, but well photographed, appearances.
Pink-footed Goose – Apr 01, Birchgrove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose – 3 Apr 06, Holland’s Marsh, Ottawa. Apr 05, Monty Drive, Ottawa. Apr 03, Regional Road 55, Clarence-Rockland, Prescott and Russell.
Ross’s Goose – 1-2 Apr 02-03, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell.
Tufted Duck – Apr 03, Chemin du fer à Cheval, Gatineau.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Apr 01, Kingsview Park, Ottawa.
Blue-winged Teal – Apr 04, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa. Also Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa. 2 on Apr 02, Emerald Meadows, Monahan Drain Ponds, Ottawa. 2 on Milton Road, Ottawa. 10 Apr 01, Sentier des Voyageurs, du parc Moussette à golf Château Cartier, Gatineau. 8 Apr 01, Carp River southeast of Carp, Ottawa.
Red-breasted Merganser – 2 Female-type Apr 06 Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – 3 Apr 05, De La Sapinière, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. 3 Apr 04, Baie Lafontaine, Ottawa. 10 Apr 03, Birchgrove Rd (then flew to Milton Rd), Ottawa. 34 Apr 02, only 3 the next day, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell. 5 on Apr 02, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – 2 continue on Kettles Road, Ottawa. 2 Apr 01, Shirley’s Bay (Hilda Road feeders), Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull – Apr 06, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Apr 06, Britannia CA, Ottawa. Apr 04, Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa. 5 Apr 03, Lemieux Island, Ottawa.
American Bittern – Apr 04, Monty Drive, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Apr 06, Dobson Lane, Ottawa. Apr 03, Old Perth Road, Mississippi Mills, Lanark. Apr 03, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa. Apr 02, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell. Apr 02, Birchgrove Road, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Shilly-Shally, Gatineau Park, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Apr 03, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa (Singing near Tavistock).
Eastern Towhee – Apr 02, Rue de la Baie, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
eBird Tip: When a heard-only bird comes up as rare in eBird, instead of saying ‘identified by Merlin,’ export the Merlin audio recording to eBird. While Merlin is good, it is not perfect, so consider the options it provides as ‘helpful suggestions.’
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 31 March 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Greater White-fronted Goose – 3 Mar 31 Thomas A Dolan Pky, Ottawa. Mar 30 Armitage Ave , Ottawa. 2 on Mar 27, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa. Mar 26, Pilon Road, Clarence Creek, Prescott and Russell. Dilworth Rd, Ottawa.
Ross’s Goose – Mar 31, Milton Rd, Ottawa. Mar 29, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. In a flock with hundreds of Snow Geese and Canada Geese. Mar 27, Pilon Rd, Prescott and Russell. As many as 5, Mar 27, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell.
Blue-winged Teal – Mar 31, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa. Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa (Hope Side Road end). Mar 29, Station d’épuration, Gatineau. Mar 27,Milton Road, Ottawa.
Gadwall – A pair Mar 26, Milton Rd, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Continuing female, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Northern Shoveler – Mar 31, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa.
Redhead – 2 on Mar 25, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Mar 28, Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa. Ranging further South along the river this week.
Tundra Swan – 11-16 birds continued to at least Mar 31 on Milton Road, Ottawa. 7 on Mar 28, Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields, Ottawa. 5 on Mar 27, Pilon Rd, Prescott and Russell. Mar 26, Cobb River Floodplain, Prescott and Russell.
Trumpeter Swan – 2 Mar 30, Kettles Road, Ottawa. 2 Mar 25, Fine Estate, Ottawa
Red-breasted Merganser – Mar 29, Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Horned Grebe – Mar 27, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Golden Eagle – Mar 27, Rollin Rd, Prescott and Russell. Mar 26, Dunrobin (Carp Hills), as well as John Shaw Rd, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – 4 Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Huron, and Shilly-Shally, Gatineau Park, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Mar 31, Athlone Avenue, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – 2 Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Savannah Sparrow – Mar 30, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 24 March 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Open water and flooded fields brought a massive influx of water birds.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Male all week to Mar 24, Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler – A pair Mar 19, Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa.
Gadwall – 3 on Mar 20, Milton Rd, Ottawa. One on Mar 21 off Long Island Drive Park, Manotick, Ottawa.
Greater Scaup – A male Mar 18, Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa.
Blue-winged Teal – 6 on Mar 24, Carp River southeast of Carp, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Female, Mar 24, Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose – 3-5 reported Mar 23-24, John Shaw Rd floodplain, near Grant side Rd, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – 16 East of Milton road, Ottawa, Mar 24. 2 at Petrie Island, Ottawa, on Mar 22. 2 on Mar 20-21, Frank Kenny Road at the bridge South of McFadden, Ottawa. 2 on Wall Rd, Ottawa, Mar 19.
Trumpeter Swan – 2 on Mar 23, Carp River southeast of Carp, Ottawa.
Horned Grebe – Mar 23, Parc Moussette, Gatineau. Mar 24, Carp River southeast of Carp, Ottawa.
Pied-billed Grebe – Reported Mar 17-18 at the base of the Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Sandhill Crane – 2 on Mar 20, over Marais aux grenouillettes, Gatineau.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Continues at Parc Moussette, Gatineau.
Double-crested Cormorant – Mar 24, Britannia CA, and Stanley Park, Ottawa. Mar 22, Billings Bridge, Ottawa. Arboretum, Ottawa (by the locks). Mar 21, Lemieux Island, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Several reports on Mar 20: Spring St, Mississippi Mills, Lanark; Milton Rd, Ottawa; and, Osgoode Trail, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Mar 24, Chapman Mills CA, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Huron shelter, Gatineau Park, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carolina Wren – Mar 24, Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Check the feeder on the West side of Tavistock.
Hermit Thrush – Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 17 March 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The first “pent!” of a displaying American Woodcock reported on the evening of the 17th. More and more spring birds, and suddenly lots of singing birds! The first wildly optimistic flycatcher arrived (an Eastern Phoebe). With interesting South winds over Thursday night, who knows what else will show up?
Barrow’s Goldeneye – A photogenic male all week at Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Cackling Goose – Two, Mar 15, Martin/St. Paul St. lookout, Almonte, Lanark.
Tundra Swan – Mar 15, Martin/St. Paul St lookout, or along Spring St. Almonte, Lanark.
Trumpeter Swan – Mar 16, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa.
Pied-billed Grebe – Reported Mar 17 at the base of the Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Lesser Black-backed Gull – Mar 15, Parc Moussette, Gatineau.
Golden Eagle – A second year bird on Mar 17, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. An adult on the 16th in Dunrobin, in the Constance Lake area, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – At least 3 adults and an immature reported this week from Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – At the usual spots in Gatineau Park – Huron and Shilly-Shally, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Last reported Mar 12, Constance Bay, Ottawa. No reason to think it left.
Hermit Thrush – Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – 2 on Mar 17, McBean St, (in Richmond) Ottawa. 4 at the Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa.
Hoary Redpoll – Common Redpolls linger around the circle, so of course a few Hoary Redpolls are mixed in. Reports this week from: 3 on Monty Drive, Ottawa; 1 at Lac Meech, LesCollines-de-l’Outaouais; 1 on Rue des Chardonnerets, Gatineau; and, 1 in Richmond, Ottawa.
Eastern Phoebe – Mar 17, Bowrin Rd, (in Richmond) Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Mar 14, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 10 March 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Woo! The real birds of spring have arrived: Ring-billed Gulls returned this week! Spring waterfowl and Red-winged Blackbirds are showing up, but lots of winter finches are still around. Not one but two Black-backed Woodpeckers!
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Mar 06, Carleton Place, Riverside Park, Lanark. Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa, Mar 10.
Gadwall – 4 at Britannia CA on Mar 09, Ottawa, ON. Also on Mar 09, Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Tundra Swan – Mar 05, Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Almonte, Lanark.
Trumpeter Swan – A flyover Mar 09, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Turkey Vulture – All over Ottawa: Mar 09, Lismer Crescent to Beaverpond, and over Carleton University. Mar 08, Barnsdale Rd. at Prince of Wales Dr. NW corner. Mar 06, Nicholas Street. Mar 04, George Etienne Cartier Pkwy. Shirley Avenue. In Lanark on Mar 05, over Highway 7 in Perth.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Mar 08, Parc de la Gatineau at the Huron shelter feeder, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Mar 05, Groves Road, Prescott and Russell.
Black-backed Woodpecker – The continuing male Mar 05, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa. A female in Stony Swamp on the Sarsaparilla Trail, Ottawa, on Mar 05.
Northern Flicker – Mar 07, Walter Baker, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Last reported at the corner of Elmhurst and Forest.
Hermit Thrush – Mar 04, Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Winter finches – moving out. Still lots of Red Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks.
White-winged Crossbill – A big flock of 25-30 on Mar 05, Boileau Road, Prescott and Russell. A pair on the Sarsaparilla Trail, Ottawa, on Mar 05.
Red Crossbill – Small numbers remain in Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais: Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, in the Parc de la Gatineau, on Sentier P15, and on Ch. Eardley Masham. Also at Lac McGregor.
Evening Grosbeak – Small numbers in Parc de la Gatineau at Relais Renaud, Relais Healey, and Relais Herridge, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. A flock of 13 in Crystal Beach Ottawa on Mar 09. A lone bird at the Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa, on Mar 06.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 3 March 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Carleton Place, Riverside Park, Lanark. Rapides Deschênes, Gatineau.
Tundra Swan – Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Almonte, Lanark.
Northern Harrier – Adult male at Greenbank Pond (just south of the Jock river), Ottawa. Adult male at the Trail Road landfill, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Feb 27, Parc de la Gatineau, Relais Shilly-Shallly, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Overwintering on Chickasaw Crescent, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Feb 26, Richmond Centennial Golf Course, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Britannia CA, Ottawa, easiest to find around open water, such as the outflow from Mud Lake.
Still too many winter finch reports to count. Just the rarer ones:
Bohemian Waxwings – Flocks around the area of Shirleys Bay, Greenbelt Pathway West, and Nortel Marsh, Ottawa. Parc de la Gatineau, Lac Pink, Gatineau. Mont-Luc, Gatineau. As many as 60 on the Sentier des voyageurs, Gatineau.
White-winged Crossbill – Feb 26, Boileau Road, Prescott and Russell. Parc de la Gatineau, Ch. Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Upper Dwyer Hill Rd, Ottawa. Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Parc de la Gatineau, Ch. Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, CA-QC
Pine Siskin – Numbers have dropped since the beginning of March, but still all over. Check flocks for the elusive green morph, reported this week from Monty Dr, Ottawa on Feb 26, and Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau, on Mar 01.
Evening Grosbeak – zero reports so far in March.
White-crowned Sparrow – Adult Feb 28, Central Experimental Farm (manure piles at Morningside and Ash lane), Ottawa.
eBird Tip: Now that you’ve memorized all the bird-banding codes from playing BRDL, did you know you can search in eBird using those same codes? Works in the app and the web site.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 24 February 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Just in time for the Great Backyard Bird Count, Pine Siskins went from common in the countryside to ubiquitous even in the suburbs. Many linger, dragging small numbers of Redpolls with them to suburban feeders.
Tundra Swan – Continued to at least Feb 24, Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Almonte, Lanark.
Northern Harrier – Female over Janka Pvt (Stittsville) Ottawa. A male at Greenbank Pond (just south of the Jock river, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Feb 21 (3) and 24 (1) on Ch Thérien, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-headed Woodpecker – At least 3, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Feb 20, Trail 1, Chelsea, , Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Feb 18, Ch du Colonel-Martin, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Feb 20, Gregoire Road, Prescott and Russell.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Feb 21, Larkhaven Crescent (Orleans), Ottawa. Feb 20, Chickasaw Crescent, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Feb 22, Lac leamy park, Gatineau. Feb 20 Harkness Avenue, Ottawa. Feb. 22 Richmond CA.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Britannia CA, Ottawa, often by the outflow from Mud Lake.
White-crowned Sparrow – Mostly first year birds, but a continuing adult reported from the Central Experimental Farm (manure piles at Morningside and Ash lane). Feb 19, Boul. Hurtubise, Gatineau. Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa, Feb 23.
Brown-headed Cowbird – 3 females reported on Feb 21, Popham St, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – 1 tough male overwintered on River Rd, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 17 February 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Feb 15, Centennial Park, Carleton Place, Lanark. Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Tundra Swan – Continued to at least Feb 16, Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Almonte, Lanark.
Trumpeter Swan – 11 on Feb 14, River Walk Trail, Carleton Place, Lanark.
Northern Harrier – Feb 17, McBean Street, Ottawa, over the soccer field. Continuing male on Cope Drive, Ottawa. Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa, and surrounding area.
Golden Eagle – Feb 13, High Lonesome Nature Reserve, Lanark, eating roadkill on the way to the reserve.
Belted Kingfisher – Feb 13, Ste-Cécile de Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, at the bridge into the park.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Continued to at least Feb 11, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa. No reason to think it isn’t still there, tapping away softly somewhere in the forest.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Britannia CA, Ottawa, often by the outflow from Mud Lake.
Evening Grosbeaks – A single bird at Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa, at least until Feb 14. Gatineau Park: 11 at Relais Renaud Feb 15, and 15 on sentirer 52 on the 12th. Chemin McCrank, La Pêche, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red Crossbill – Chemin Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Gatineau Park on sentier 53, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Crazy Horse trail, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill – Feb 11 Kerwin Road Trail, Ottawa. Feb 15 Sentier Gamelin, Parc de la Gatineau, Gatineau. Feb 14 Chemin Simmons, Gatineau.
Hoary Redpoll – A few reports of single birds among flocks of Common Redpolls: Feb 14 Ste-Cécile de Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Feb 13 Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, in a flock of 75 Commons. Feb 11 Chemin de la Rivière Blanche, Papineau.
White-crowned Sparrow – Feb 13, Trim Rd near McFadden Rd, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 10 February 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Feb 07, Riverside Park, Carleton Place, Lanark. Feb 10, Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – Feb 09, Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Almonte, Lanark.
Northern Harrier – Adult male beautifully photographed Feb 08, Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa. Feb 10 along Eagleson Road at Brophy, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Feb 08, Relais Shilly-Shallly, Parc de la Gatineau, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Feb 07, Sixth Line x Berry Side Road, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Feb 09, Trail South side of Jock River, Richmond, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Feb 10, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa. North of the original location.
Horned Lark – Numbers are increasing (as expected for this early migrant).
Carolina Wren – Feb 06, Abingdon Drive, Ottawa. Gold Crescent, Russell, Prescott and Russell.
Hermit Thrush – The continuing Hermit Thrush at Britannia Ridge, Ottawa, has been observed catching the same minnows the robins have been feasting on. The second bird at the outflow also continues.
Winter finch status:
Pine Grosbeaks – Everywhere!
Evening Grosbeaks – A single bird Feb 4, Goodin Street, and another at the Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa, at least until Feb 8. Better odds north of the river with nice flocks in Gatineau Park at Relais Renaud, Relais Healey, and Relais Shilly-Shallly, and a flock of 36 on Chemin McCrank, La Pêche, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red Crossbill – Chemin Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Gatineau Park at P9 and also on sentier 53, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Chimo street, Gatineau. A single bird on the 4th at Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill – 12 on Feb 08, Chemin McCrank, La Pêche, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Feb 4, Kerwin Road trail, Ottawa. Feb 09, Morewood Bog, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Hoary Redpoll – A single bird reported on Chemin Terry-Fox, Gatineau, on Feb 06, and a continuing bird on Monty Dr., Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird – 2 males and a female Feb 07, Mandor Crescent, Metcalfe, Ottawa.Red-winged Blackbird – Feb 06, Manotick, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 3 February 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Wood Duck – Jan 28, Du Golf Road, Clarence-Rockland, Prescott and Russell.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Feb 01, Centennial Park, Carleton Place, Lanark.
Tundra Swan – Feb 03, Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Almonte, Lanark.
Gray Partridge – 8 on Jan 31 near Robert Grant at Cope, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Jan 31, Cope drive pond, Ottawa. Jan 31, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Northern Goshawk – Jan 28, Chemin Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Feb 01, Sixth Line x Berry Side Road, Ottawa. Feb 01, Queen’s Park, Gatineau. Jan 30, Relais Huron, Parc de la Gatineau, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Jan 28, Reveler, Prescott and Russell.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Jan 31, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Feb 02, Shirley Avenue, Ottawa. Feb 01, Bankfield Road, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Jan 31, Gold Crescent, Russell, Prescott and Russell.
Hermit Thrush – Feb 01, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa. Feb 02, Rainbow Crescent, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Feb 02, Jock Trail, Richmond, Ottawa. Feb 01, McLinton Road, Ottawa. Jan 28, Scottwood Grove, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeaks – Jan 28 Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Mer Bleue Bog Trail, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Jan 29 Ch. Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Feb 01, Wolf Grove Road, Lanark.
White-winged Crossbill – Jan 29 Ch. Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
White-crowned Sparrow – Reported Feb 02, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Check the manure pile under the canopy.
Common Grackle – Feb 01, South Island Park Dr, Manotick, Ottawa
Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas
We are now in the second year of the third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: an ambitious five-year effort to provide data that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. Participation is easy and can be as simple as just importing your eBird checklists into the Atlas.
Though the majority of our birds breed in the late spring and summer, there are a few species that are already well into their breeding season including Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls. Observers encountering these species at this time of year – even if they are simply in suitable habitat — are invited to report their sightings to the Atlas.
As well, both Red Crossbill and White-winged Crossbills may be found in Eastern Ontario. They are nomadic and search for large crops of cones. All sightings of these species – regardless of season — are also welcome in the 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 27 January 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Winter finches!
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Jan 26, Centennial Park, Carleton Place, Lanark.
Belted Kingfisher – Jan 27, Sawmill Creek near Walkley Rd, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Jan 27, Sixth Line x Berry Side Road, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Jan 25, Richmond, Ottawa. Jan 24, Quigley Hill Rd near Montreal Rd, Ottawa. Jan 22, Metcalfe, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Jan 26, Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Jan 26, Greenland Rd, Ottawa. Eleven males on Jan 22, David Kennedy Dr, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird – Laderoute Ave, Ottawa, Jan 26.
Northern Mockingbird – Jan 26, Hunt Club at Bridle Path Dr, Ottawa. Jan 25 at the Airport, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeaks – Ch. Shouldice, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Monty Drive, Constance Bay, Ottawa. Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, and Mer Bleue Bog Trail, Ottawa.
Pine Grosbeaks – From almost none to too many reports to list, especially in Gatineau. Several flocks at different locations in Dunrobin and elsewhere on the Ontario side.
Pine Siskins – Ch. Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Parc Bourgeau, and Parc Gérald-Millar, both in Gatineau. Monty Drive, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red Crossbill – Ch. Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Common Grackle – Jan 26 Manotick, Ottawa. Jan 25, Shirley Avenue, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 20 January 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Red-breasted Merganser – Rideau River between Hurdman Bridge and Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – A male at Britannia CA, and another on the Rideau River between Hurdman Bridge and Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – An adult male at Cope Drive pond, Ottawa, Jan 16.
Belted Kingfisher – Jan 20, Johannes Street (Metcalfe), Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – At least 3 adults and one immature continue in Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Jan 16, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Jan 20, Eldon Craig Park trail (Metcalfe), Ottawa. Jan 19, Beacon Hill North (continuing on corner of Kaymar and Delong), Ottawa. Jan 16, Marionville Rd, North Dundas, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Dec 28-Jan 17 at least, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Continues in Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Photographed on a public feeder on Tavistock Road.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, near the ridge, and near the outflow from the lake, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Jan 20 Britannia CA (around the outflow pipes where the wren was reported), Ottawa. Jan 15, Copeland Rd, Ottawa. Jan 15, Main St, (Stittsville), Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Jan 18, Jan 15, Sentier des Voyageurs, du parc Moussette à golf Château Cartier, Gatineau. Jan 14, Chemin Queen’s Park, Gatineau.
Brown Thrasher – Continued to at least Jan 15 at a feeder in Alcove, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Gray Catbird – Laderoute Ave, Ottawa, Jan 20. Jan 20, Featherston Greenspace, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – Jan 16, Bank and Hunt Club Rd, Ottawa.
Hoary Redpoll – Jan 14, Chemin Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Jan 15 Chemin Eardley Masham, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-winged Blackbird – Jan 19, Shirley Avenue, Ottawa. Jan 20 Manotick.
Common Grackle – Jan 20 Manotick, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 13 January 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Red-breasted Merganser – Rideau River between Hurdman Bridge and Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Canvasback – Two birds until Jan 08, Baie Fraser, Gatineau.
Gray Partridge – At least one bird survives of the Hazeldean Road flock, and was seen a couple of times this week.
Belted Kingfisher – Jan 08, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Jan 10, Parc National de Plaisance, Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau. Jan 09, Parc de la Gatineau (Relais Huron), Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Northern Flicker – Jan 13 Baxter CA, Ottawa. Jan 12, Rosefire Dr, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – An adult male at Cope Drive pond, Ottawa. A juvenile at Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Two Jan 10, Ramsay Concession Rd. 7, Lanark.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Jan 13, Beacon Hill North (continuing on corner of Kaymar and Delong), Ottawa. Jan 10, Parc de la Gatineau (Relais Huron), Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais
Black-backed Woodpecker – Dec 28-Jan 09, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa. I wonder if anyone managed to tick the 8 species of woodpecker available in the circle on a single day during that period?
Carolina Wren – Jan 10, Heritage Park, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, near the outflow from the lake, Ottawa. Watts Creek Pathway, Ottawa. Old Quarry Trail, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Jan 10 Britannia CA (around the base of the ridge near open water), Ottawa. Jan 12 Pinecrest Creek south of the Queensway.
Eastern Bluebird – Continuing at Greenland Road. A flock of 8 males at Scotch Pine Grove, Ottawa. Sixth Line Rd, Ottawa.
Brown Thrasher – Continues in Alcove, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Gray Catbird – Laderoute Ave, Ottawa, at least until Jan 10.
Red Crossbill – Jan 09, Wolf Grove Road, Lanark.
Swamp Sparrow – Jan 13, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Jan 11, Smith road near Milton Road, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – Well-photographed at a suet feeder on Jan 09, Rue Paul Gauguin, Gatineau. This is an especially interesting bird, because it is the lutescens or west coast subspecies, making for a very rare record. It pays to double-check the little yellow birds, and document the surprising ones.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 6 January 2022
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The celebrity Black-backed Woodpecker continues at Constance Bay. A pair of Canvasback and many, many, late birds for the winter listers.
Wood Duck – Dec 31, Armitage Ave, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Dec 31, Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal -Jan 01, Etang Grimes, Gatineau.
Canvasback – A pair to Jan 06, visible from Baie Fraser, Gatineau, or the west end of cassels Street, Ottawa.
Lesser Scaup – The lone male continues in the Rapides Deschênes.
Red-breasted Merganser – Dec 30, Rideau River Eastern Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Double-crested Cormorant – Jan 04, Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa. Two on Jan 05 in the Rapides Deschênes.
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Juvenile continued to at least Jan 03, Etang Grimes, Gatineau.
Northern Harrier – Dec 31, Prince of Wales Drive at Fourth Line Road, Ottawa. Jan 05, Cope Dr, Ottawa. Adult male, Jan 06, Janka Pvt, Ottawa
Belted Kingfisher – Jan 05, Morris Island Conservation Area, Ottawa, at the pond on the railroad trail before first yellow trail entrance.
Red-headed Woodpecker – At least 4 individuals continue. Check along Len Purcell between Whistler and Bayview.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Jan 02, Relais Shilly-Shallly, Parc de la Gatineau, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Jan 03, Torbolton Ridge Road, Ottawa. Jan 03, Baxter CA, Ottawa. Jan 03, Parc national de Plaisance, Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Northern Flicker – Jan 01, Osgoode Trail, Ottawa. Jan 02, March Valley Road, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Dec 28-Jan 06, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa. Between trail 1 and the dirt extension of Whistler. Listen for the soft taps.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Rivermill Cres, and Pentland Cres, all Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Britannia CA, near the outflow from the lake, Ottawa. A second near the ridge. A pair on the Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Jan 06 Britannia CA (around the base of the ridge near open water, Ottawa. Jan 05 Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Swainson’s Thrush – Well photographed Jan 05, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Eastern Bluebird – Dec 31, Chemin Crégheur, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. In Ottawa: A pair Jan 05, Berry Side Rd. Small flocks Jan 01 on the Osgoode Trail. Jan 03, Fifth Line Road west of Berry. Jan 04 on the Cumberland Ridge Trail, Ottawa. In Lanark on Ramsay Concession Road 1 and Ramsay Concession 5A Quarry trail, and other locations outside the OFNC circle.
Brown Thrasher – Jan 06, Bel Air fields, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird – Laderoute Ave, Ottawa, at least until Jan 02.
White-winged Crossbill – Jan 03, Larose Forest–Bertrand Road, Prescott and Russell.
Swamp Sparrow – Jan 01, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird – Jan 01, Torbolton Ridge Rd, Ottawa.
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.