Ottawa and area bird sightings to 25 May 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Northern Shovelers, Alfred Lagoons, Arlene Harrold. Will they breed here? Imagine the chicks – they start out looking much like Mallard chicks, but the bill starts growing well before they are even half-sized.
Adult male Canada Warbler, Petrie Island, Tony Beck. In Ottawa look for Canada Warblers passing through in May on migration. This species is skulky, usually low in trees or in shrubs. There are a few local breeders, but most are just passing through.
Green Heron, Mud Lake, Alan Short. Different heron species have different hunting strategies. Green Herons mostly stalk incredibly slowly and strike fast. But sometimes they use bread as bait to lure in fish.
Peregrine Falcon, Billings Bridge, Alan Short.
Northern Mockingbird, Shirley’s Bay, Dan Vasiu. Dan caught the bird hunting insects, but mockers eat a lot of fruit too. In fact, their northward range expansion is credited to planting of Multiflora Rose, a flower loved by landscapers for its toughness and hated by others for its invasiveness. No complaints about the mockers though.
Adult male Canada Warbler, Britannia ridge, Sanam Goudarzi. Note the yellow lore leaks into the upper part of the eye ring, giving this species a bi-colored eye-ring. The white in the bottom half of the eye-ring is the only white on this bird.
Adult male Golden-winged Warbler, Pine Grove area, Aaron Hywarren. A local breeder, but in very small numbers. Hard to find in the OFNC Circle, but fairly easy to see at Murphy’s Point PP, thanks to their exuberant songs.
Adult male Wilson’s Warbler, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Another migrant.
Adult male Mourning Warbler, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. A rare local breeder, and usually hard to see, as they forage invisibly on the ground. But sometimes the male will sing from a ridiculously exposed perch.
Female Yellow warbler, Arboretum, Christopher Clunas. I have no idea what is going on in this fascinating photo. Unlike the other warblers in this report, yellows are common local breeders, often nesting in surprisingly small shrubs.
Barn Swallows, TransCanada Trail in Stittsville, Dan Vasiu. Watching swallows collect mud for nest building is a real joy of spring.
American White Pelican (4) May 20, on the Ottawa River behind the Parliament Buildings.
Snow Goose (5) May 21-25, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Surf Scoter (3) May 19, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Whimbrel – May 24, Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa.
Hudsonian Godwit – May 20, Marais aux Grenouillettes, Gatineau. Many other shorebirds reported here this week, not just the rarities below.
Marbled Godwit – May 18, Dilworth Rd., Ottawa.
Red Knot (2) May 24, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Caspian Tern – May 23, Marais aux Grenouillettes, Gatineau. May 20, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. May 19, Britannia, CA, Ottawa.
Arctic Tern (10) May 24, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – May 22, Innis Point Bird Observatory, Ottawa. May 22, Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa. (2) May 20, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Constance Bay-Len Purcell, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird – May 25, Ottawa International Airport, Ottawa. May 23, Stanley Park, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak – Many sightings May 23-25 all over the circle, including Mer Bleue Bog and Britannia areas in Ottawa.
White-winged Crossbill (3) May 22, Burnt Lands Provincial Park, Ottawa.
Yellow-headed Blackbird – May 19, Parc Guillot & Marais Lamoureux, Gatineau.
Atlas note
It’s May and many of the birds that we now enjoy are on territory and seeking mates. Whether simply seen or heard singing in suitable habitat, your observations are most welcome in the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact Aaron Hywarren the Atlas Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 4 May 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A little turnover in the birds, but lots of potential in the imminent warmer weather. Many birds holding just south could move in mass.
Female Red-bellied Woodpecker, Dewberry Trail, Tony Beck.. Tony says having spent the winter around the entrance of the Dewberry Trail where the OFNC maintains a bird feeder, the female Red-bellied Woodpecker continues here into spring. We watched her take bits of remaining seeds and cache them in nearby tree crevices.
Rusty Blackbirds, Cambrian Road, Tony Beck. Tony says Rusty Blackbirds are uniformly dark during spring with the males appearing blacker than females (in this photo – two males above and one female below). They don’t achieve their characteristic rusty tones until fall. However, they’re recognized throughout the year by their squeaky calls, often compared to the sound of rusty door hinges.
Richardson’s Cackling Goose, Richmond, Tony Beck. Tony says: Compare the tone, size & shape of this Cackling Goose (left) with the Canada Goose (right). Although spring waterfowl migration begins fairly early in the Ottawa area, interesting goose sightings can still occur in May, and even early June (Brant). Keep your eyes out for uncommon species like this Cackling Goose (and others), even while you might be distracted by warblers and other late-spring migrants.
Great Egret, Andrew Hayden, Alan Short. Note the green breeding color between the bill and the eyes.
Horned Grebe, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. Alan captured the bird in mid drive. They can stay under for a remarkable time and distance.
Winter Wren, Dan Vasiu, South March Highlands Conservation Area. Carrying nesting material! #Youcanatlasthat.
Rusty Blackbird, Greenbelt Pathway between Conroy and Bank, Keith Wickens. It’s easy to dismiss these all dark blackbirds ‘grackles’, but with a second glance, note the slim practical bill, not at all grackle-like.
Sora, Ottawa, Paul Legasi. A familiar rail story – common local breeders, rarely seen. Much easier to hear than see, with their haunting ‘kerWEEE’ calls.
Common Gallinule, Tweedle Rd marsh, Edith St-Martin. Edith saw a pair in habitat. This photo shows off the well adapted feet and legs. None of our rails are easy to see, but the Gallinules have a habit of swimming along the edge of the vegetation that makes them slightly more viewable than the Sora.
Adult male Scaup, Andrew Haydon, Gillian Wright. Look at those back feathers! Beautiful, and functional, as the pattern breaks up the body shape for predators.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Last week we saw a bird displaying zero sign of a crest. In contrast, this bird is all crest! They can control the amount of red that shows – not necessarily consciously, but in response to different stimuli. This vertical posture with erect crown indicates a singing male (although not singing at the instant the photo is snapped). He can look even more aggressive if another male were to sing. If you see two males counter-singing, look for an aggressive horizontal posture and even more red on display. (Described in Birds of the World).
Adult Black-crowned Night-Heron, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. All our breeding heron and egret species have returned for the season.
Outside the OFNC circle, but of interest to local birders, an adult Northern Gannet was photographed in Farran Park, near Ingleside on May 04.
Snow Goose – Not ‘rare’, but a lovely spectacle, thousands of geese on Frank Kenny on May 04.
Ross’s Goose (2) May 03, Colonial Road, Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose (2) May 03, Ch Sarsfield, Ottawa. May 02, Dunning Rd, Ottawa.
Brant (28) Apr 29, Chaudière Island, Ottawa. (19) Apr 29, Andrew Haydon Park West, Ottawa. (60) Apr 28, Eardley, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Early, but part of a broader push including Montreal.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Continuing Vance’s Side Rd/Constance Creek, Ottawa. (4) April 30-May 01, Bruce Pit, Ottawa. (4) Apr 29, Sarsapilla Trail, Ottawa.
White-winged Scoter – May 02, -Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Ruddy Duck (3) May 04, Moodie Quarry, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull – May 04, Brophy Drive Area, Ottawa. April 28 Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (3) May 04, Brophy Drive Area, Ottawa. May 03, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (15) May 02,Fourth Line Road, Ottawa.
Red-throated Loon – May 04, Innis Point Bird Observatory, Ottawa. Early.
Golden Eagle – Apr 28, Parc de la Gatineau–Lac Black, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – May 02, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – April 30, May 04, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – May 04, Domaine Mackenzie-King, Gatineau. May 03, Cumberland Ridge Drive Dog Walk Loop, Ottawa. Apr 30, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. Apr 29, Ottawa–Dewberry Trail, Ottawa.
Harris’s Sparrow – Continued to at least Apr 28, Ch des Boulders, Gatineau.
Louisiana Waterthrush – May 03, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier de la Chute, Gatineau.
Atlas note
With spring upon us, several local species have already started their breeding behaviour. Migrants are arriving daily and staking out territory before nesting. Observing and reporting this activity to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas provides essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will help guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. The Atlas is conducted every 20 years and is five years in duration. Participation in this once in a generation community science opportunity is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Region Atlas Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 27 April 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A huge raptor migration on the 22nd, with some observers reporting over 100 Broad-winged Hawks. Birders woke up on the 23rd to a river full of grebes, with hundreds of breeding plumage Horned Grebes and many Red-necked Grebes, in a flock that stretched from the Shirley’s Bay boat launch to Britannia. Not exciting enough? How about the first Ottawa report of a Swallow-tailed Kite since 1880?
Swallow-tailed Kite, Champlain Street Marsh, Edith St-Martin. Sure, it’s been 140 plus years since this bird was last reported in Ottawa, but this bird is worth waiting for. Rare southern visitors to Ontario, if they do show up, they often stick around for a while, so maybe it’s hiding out. Keep an eye out for this spectacular raptor. They eat lots of dragonflies and frogs, so if you know a spot with both, and some scattered tall trees to perch in….
Swallow-tailed Kite, Champlain Street Marsh, Edith St-Martin. Not every white bird flying by is a gull.
Ringed-billed Gulls, Shirley’s Bay boat launch, Arlene Harrold. Bright red cere (or exposed skin around the eyes and bill), and sharing food instead of fighting? Ringed-billed Gulls in love. Or at least about to share some genetic material.
Horned Grebe with prey, Shirley’s Bay, Dan Vasiu. One of hundreds that day. These numbers probably migrate over the region every year, but this time they ran into precipitation and set down to wait out the day.
Broad-winged Hawks, Elmvale Acres, Aaron Hywarren. Aaron counted 120 Broad-tailed hawks in an hour, plus several other raptors. The 22nd was a spectacular day for raptor migration.
Swamp Sparrow, Jack Pine Trail, Tony Beck. Because three trillers wasn’t confusing enough.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Smith Road, Nina Stavlund. Sometimes the Kinglet just won’t show the crown. This week the woods are filled with the fast paced song of tiny but fierce songsters.
Tree Swallow, Brewer Park, Judith Gustafsson. Many species of cavity-nesting birds now rely primarily on human-built homes. That begs the question, what did they do before there were cities and farms everywhere? Natural unmanaged forests have trees of varying ages, and far more cavities than we are used to seeing in controlled parks where decaying trees are quickly removed.
Hermit Thrush, Celebration Park, Catherine Lawrence. This bird of the deep forest is just casually sitting on a fence, because night-time migrants set down at dawn, and can’t always make it to their preferred habitat.
Black-capped Chickadee, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Chickadees have such a strong drive to remove soft wood from potential cavity homes, that if you want to entice them into a nest box, filling the bottom inch with sawdust increases the chance of successfully attracting them. DIY’ers gotta make it their own.
Virginia Rail, Pineview Area, Craig Warmington. A common breeder in our area, but very a sneaky marsh bird, and rarely seen, especially in backyards. A bird in a weird location like this might be injured, or it might have just made a last minute landing decision after a hard night of migration. When wondering what to do with a bird you are concerned about, reach out to the Wild Bird Care Centre (613) 854-2849 or Safe Wings 613-216-8999. This year, because of avian flu, don’t collect sick or injured waterbirds or raptors without reaching out to one of these organizations first. They may not be able to accept the bird for treatment.
Swallow-tailed Kite – April 25. A single observer photographed a Swallow-tailed Kite over the Champlain Street marsh, from François Dupont Park, Ottawa. Unfortunately the bird was not refound.
Ross’s Goose – Apr 23, Dunning Rd, Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose – Apr 23, Dunning Road, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – Apr 21, Ottawa 35, Ottawa.
Canvasback – Apr 22-24 Station d’épuration, (Masson-Angers), Gatineau. Apr 24,Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
White-winged Scoter (2) Apr 23, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Eared Grebe – Apr 23, Baie Simard, Gatineau. One little grebe in a flock of hundreds of Horned Grebes.
Golden Eagle – Apr 22, O’Toole Rd, Cumberland, Ottawa. Apr 22, Clarendon’s end, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull – Apr 24, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Apr 23, Dick Bell Park, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Apr 25, 27, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Apr 22, 25, 27, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Warbling Vireo – Apr 26, Bilberry Creek near river, Ottawa. Apr 23, Parc de la Gatineau–Relais Keogan, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Apr 23, Priam Way, Ottawa.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – Apr 26, Parc du Marais de Touraine, Gatineau.
Marsh Wren – Apr 27, Watts Creek Pathway, Ottawa.
Harris’s Sparrow – Apr 24-26, Ch des Boulders, Gatineau.
Northern Waterthrush – Apr 24-26, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. Apr 26, Richmond SE – Dobson Lane, Ottawa. Apr 25, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa. Apr 22, Marlborough Forest–E4 entrance, Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler – Apr 24, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier Lauriault, Gatineau.
Common Yellowthroat – Apr 26, Ramsay Conc. 5a, Lanark.
Yellow Warbler – Apr 26, Ottawa–Remic Rapids and Champlain Bridge area, Ottawa.
Black-throated Green Warbler – Apr 26, Parc du Marais de Touraine, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 20 April 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
New shorebirds with Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers arriving. Thousands of Tree Swallows swarming over Britannia on the 20th. A big influx of Palm Warblers – both Western and Yellow, on April 16. This Saturday, winds look good to bring more birds.
Palm Warbler, Mud lake, Sai Wai Ip. It would be easy to pass this very yellow warbler off as a Pine Warbler, the other yellowish warbler passing through this week and last. But the yellow undertail and white tail tips call for a second look. The eastern or yellow population of Palm Warblers is vibrant yellow compared to most of the Western Palm Warblers we see in this region. The cheek patch almost disappears into the light, and the cap is hidden from this angle.
Palm Warbler, Mer Blue, Aaron Hywarren. This is a much simpler ID, with the obvious red cap and cheek patch, but warblers don’t always oblige like this.
Pine Warbler, the other, other, yellow warbler. Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Focus on the enormous bill, and the white-belly (unlike the first Palm Warbler above). And ignore the orange undersides of the feet, lest you face nightmares about misidentified fall Blackpoll Warblers.
American Robin, Brewer’s Park, Judith Gustafsson. Not only #youcanatlasthat, but this photo explains why Derek’s bird bath is always muddy this time of year, no matter how often he cleans it. The robins work the mud, then bath, then work the mud. Rinse and repeat (literally). Evidence of breeding behaviour, such as carrying nesting material, is very helpful to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
Tree Swallow, Brewer Park, Judith Gustafsson. Many swallows returned this week and are already claiming nest boxes.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Kizell Pond, Dan Vasiu. Note the hints of yellow, and the blush of the red in the throat and nape. Two males? Who wins in a plumage competition?
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bruce Pond, Arlene Harrold. Wait, Kinglets eat plant matter? Apparently, in very small quantities, except during fall migration when plants become 31% of the diet (according to Birds of the World). This isn’t fall migration, so this is a fairly rare sighting. But this flexibility has to help in the spring when somedays all the insects are too cold to fly or walk around. Because kinglets take such small prey and other food items, the species they eat are less identified than those of larger birds.
Big Corvid, Carp River Reclamation Area, Dan Vasiu. Can you ID this bird without seeing the bill clearly?
Male Eastern Towhee, Carp Highlands, Aaron Hywarren. Another species back on breeding territory already.
Osprey, Thomas Dolan Parkway Bridge, Alan Short. This bird needs those calories, as it will spend the summer feeding chicks as large as itself.
Double-breasted Cormorant, Andrew Haydon Park, Alan Short. Dull and drab from a distance, up close there is always something else to notice in the stunning plumage and soft tissues of the cormorant. Check out the mottling and the qrange tips on the bill. The sparkles around the blue eye. Always stunning.
Bufflehead pair, Brewer Pond, Sandy Garland. The white cut-out pattern on the head is reminiscent of which local breeder? These birds are migrating through Ottawa to the northwest.
Ross’s Goose (2) Apr 16, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell. Apr 15, Milton Road and area, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Apr 19-20, Dunrobin Shore, Ottawa. “Continuing birds in the sand pit off Vance’s Side Road.” (3) Apr 15-17, Ch de la Grande Presqu’Île, Plaisance, Papineau. Apr 19, Old 17 and Mississippi Bridge, Ottawa. Apr 17, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Apr 17, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa. Apr 16, John Shaw Road, Kinburn, Ottawa. Apr 16, Marlborough Forest–Roger’s Pond, Ottawa. Apr 16, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa. Apr 15, Lac Ruthledge Quebec, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Apr 15, Bleeks Road, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (2-3) Apr 15-18, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Apr 17, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Male.
Spotted Sandpiper – Apr 16-20, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Apr 19, Clifford Allen Island, Ottawa,. Apr 17, Grandview Road River Access, Ottawa.
Solitary Sandpiper – Apr 15-20, Twin Elm Rd, Ottawa. Apr 19, Richland to Jock River, Ottawa. Apr 17, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull (2) Apr 20, Trail Road, Ottawa. Apr 17, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Apr 15-16, Twin Elm Rd, Ottawa.
Bonaparte’s Gull (4) Apr 20, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa. Apr 19, flooded field, Roger Stevens Drive, east of 3rd Line., Ottawa. Apr 19, Dilworth Road, south Ottawa, ON, Ottawa. Apr 15, Rideau River Provincial Park, Ottawa. Keep checking the black-headed gulls for rarities!
Caspian Tern – Apr 15, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Green Heron – Apr 18, Marais Pierre-Ménard, Gatineau.
Golden Eagle – Apr 20, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Apr 17-19, Rue du Val-Perché, Gatineau. Apr 16, Sixth Line Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Apr 18, Pine Grove (South), Ottawa. Apr 15-17, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. Pair foraging together on the 15th!
Blue-headed Vireo – Apr 18, Wolf Grove Road, Lanark. Apr 15, Ch Elm, Pontiac CA, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
House Wren – Apr 20, Nortel Marsh, Ottawa. Apr 19, Aylmer rural – secteur sud-ouest, Gatineau.
Carolina Wren (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Apr 16, Orleans, Ottawa.
American Pipit – Apr 20, Dilworth Road, Kemptville, Ottawa.
Pine Grosbeak – Apr 17-18, Bellamy Mills Rd, Almonte, ON, Lanark,
Snow Bunting – Apr 15, Burnt Lands Provincial Park, Ottawa. Apr 15, Birchgrove Road, Ottawa. (40) Apr 14, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Palm Warbler (Western) Apr 16-18, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Apr 16, PN de Plaisance–Marais Perras, Papineau. Apr 16, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier P17, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Apr 16, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. Apr 16, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Apr 15, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Palm Warbler (Yellow) (2) Apr 15-16, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa. Apr 16 Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Atlas note
With spring upon us, several local species have already started their breeding behaviour. Migrants are arriving daily and staking out territory before nesting.
Observing and reporting this activity to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas provides essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will help guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. The Atlas is conducted every 20 years and is five years in duration. Participation in this once in a generation community science opportunity is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird.
Come find out about the Atlas in our region and meet fellow participants: we’re having an informal Meet and Greet for the Ottawa Region of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas from 0830 to 1000 at the Shirleys Bay Boat Launch on Sunday 23 April.
For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Region Atlas Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 13 April 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The region exploded with song this week. Ruby-crowned joined their Golden-Crowned cousins, Winter Wren set up shop en masse, and the warbler vanguard of Pine and Yellow-rumped warblers arrived.
Vesper Sparrow, Central Experimental Farm, Clifford Rostek. Vespers breed at Burnt lands and in Dunrobin, but aren’t usually found in the heart of the city. The Farm, the Arboretum, and the Fletcher Wildlife Garden form a mid-city oasis for migrating birds with grasslands, meadows, water, and forest habitat. It’s always worth checking out on migration.
Hooded Mergansers, March valley Road, Alan Short. Could a pair look less alike? The female plumage optimized to avoid predation, and the male plumage evolved to just show off his genes and health status.
Pine Warbler, around Vincent Massey Park, Aaron Hywarren. Just when you’ve memorized the trilling song of the dark-eyed Junco, the Pine Warbler returns to sow confusion. But that’s OK, you’re wrong, it was actually a Chipping Spparow in the Pine Tree after all. They snuck into town when we were’t paying attention.
Eastern Meadowlark, Berry Side Road, Arlene Harrold. Sometimes the meadowlark is real.
Eastern Phoebe, Watt’s creek, Janet McCullough. Sometimes the phoebe is real.
Black-capped Chickadee, Taylor lake, Janet McCullough. Chickadees are cavity nesters, but they don’t just use holes left by woodpeckers. They will excavate their own cavities in soft wood, such as the rot where this branch broke off.
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Emerald Meadows, Sanam Goudarzi. Eastern Puffball in full glorious song mode.
Tree Swallow, Richmond lagoons, Sanam Goudarzi.
Common Redpoll, Dewberry, Arlene Harrold. Time is running out to see the birds of winter.
Double-crested Cormorants, Deschenes Rapids, Maureen Mark. Cormorants and Great Egrets nest in the trees of Conroy Island.
Snow Goose, Winchester, Alan Short.
Ross’s Goose – Apr 04, Liscumb Rd, North Dundas, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Apr 04, Chemin de la Sapinière, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ross’s Goose – Apr 13, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. Apr 12, P&R—Rollin road, Prescott and Russell. Apr 10, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa. Apr 09, Winchester sewage lagoons, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Greater White-fronted Goose (2) Apr 12, P&R—Burton road, Prescott and Russell. Apr 12, P&R—Rollin road, Prescott and Russell. Apr 12, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. Apr 10, Carp River at John Shaw Road, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan – Apr 13, Magladry Rd, Ottawa. (2) Apr 13, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (2) Apr 12, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa. Apr 09, John Shaw road, Ottawa. Apr 08, Dunning Rd., Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (2) Apr 10, Larose Forest, Prescott and Russell. Apr 09, Frank Kenney or nearby flooded areas, Ottawa.
Redhead (2) Apr 13, Grandview Road, Ottawa. Apr 10, Rideau River Provincial Park, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Apr 10, Almonte–Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Lanark.
Common Gallinule – Apr 11, Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull (2) Apr 12, NW corner of Barnsdale Rd and Twin Elm Rd, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Apr 10, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. Apr 09, Perrault Rd, Ottawa.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2) Apr 10, Rideau Canal (Hartwells Locks to Mooney’s Bay), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Apr 13, Parkway Rd, Ottawa. Apr 11, Dunvegan Rd, Ottawa. Apr 10, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Apr 08, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Brown Thrasher – Apr 12, Shirley’s Bay (Hilda Road feeders), Ottawa. Apr 12, Old Quarry Trail, Ottawa. Apr 11, Third Line Rd S, Ottawa. Apr 10, Florizel Avenue, Ottawa.
American Pipit – Apr 11, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa.
Pine Grosbeak – Apr 08, Wedgewood Cr, Ottawa.
Snow Bunting – Apr 13, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. (1000) Apr 13, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Baltimore Oriole – Apr 11, PN de Plaisance–Marais aux rubaniers, Papineau.
Pine Warbler – Apr 12, Parc du Lac-Beauchamp, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 6 April 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A big influx of Great Egrets and Black-crowned Night Herons, all of whom immediately regretted their decision. Lots of geese in flooded fields.
Male Pileated Woodpecker, 5th line road, Alan Short. Watching a huge pileated woodpecker zoom overhead is one of the thrilling moments of birding.
Red-shouldered Hawk, 6th Line Road, Alan Short. Preferring forest nests, they are easier to hear than see in the summer.
Hairy Woodpeckers, Sarsparilla Trail, Janet McCullough. #youcanatlasthat
Eastern Bluebird, Berry Side Road, Alan Short.
Rough-legged Hawk, Breckenridge, Jordan Milko.
Female Belted Kingfisher, DND HQ pond, Dan Vasiu. One of the few bird species where the female is more colorful than the male.
Pileated Woodpeckers, Berry Side Road, Arlene Harrold. Two female woodpeckers checking out a roost hole in a telephone pole. Note the raised crest on one. Pileated are not known for cooperative breeding. Competition for the prime location? Last year’s young?
American Woodcock, Blackburn Hamlet, Hans Lankamp. Surprisingly common in Ottawa, woodcock are very hard to see. Hans and Elaine watched this newly arrived woodcock forging in the leaf litter of a sheltered part of their yard. Just another reason to leave some leaves behind in the fall cleanup: good for the soil, the insects, and the birds.
Male American three-toed woodpecker, Greenbelt trail off Conroy, Gillian Wright. The birds off Conroy have overwintered. They will probably head north sometime this month, but the atlassers are hoping the pair will stick around.
Male Blue-winged Teal, DND HQ pond, Dan Vasiu. Nondescript little brown ducks for much of the year, Blue-winged Teal are stunning when it counts.
Blue-winged Teal, DND HQ pond, Dan Vasiu. For once, an actually useful duck name.
Ross’s Goose – Apr 04, Liscumb Rd, North Dundas, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Apr 04, Chemin de la Sapinière, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Greater White-fronted Goose (2) John Shaw Rd, Ottawa. (2) Roger Stevens Dr, Ottawa (last reported Apr 02).
Trumpeter Swan – John Shaw Rd, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (7) Frank Kenney or nearby flooded areas, Ottawa.
Long-tailed Duck – Apr 04, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Apr 02, Almonte – Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Lanark. Last reported at Strathcona park, Ottawa on April 01.
Red-breasted Merganser – Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Seen eating a Mud Puppy.
Iceland Gull (2) Apr 06, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron (7)Lemieux Island, Ottawa. Springhurst Park, Ottawa. Britannia CA, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Apr 04, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Apr 03, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Mar 27, Camp Fortune, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Apr 03, Berry Side Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Apr 06, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa. Apr 04 Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Apr 06 Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. Apr 05, Pinetrail Crescent, Ottawa. Apr 03, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Atlas note
What do species as diverse as Great Horned Owls, Feral Pigeons, Eastern Screech Owls, Common Ravens, Northern Saw-whet Owls, Barred Owls, Mourning Doves, Ruffed Grouse, and Trumpeter Swans all have in common?
All could now be breeding here in Eastern Ontario and the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas needs your observations of these species, even if you only see or hear them.
Your observations will provide essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will help guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. Participation is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Region Atlas Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 30 March 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Many tough migrants showed up this week, especially waterfowl. Canada Geese abound everywhere in flooded fields, with Cackling and Snow sprinkled in randomly. Song Sparrows returned and claimed territory, singing fiercely. Even more species are poised to move, just south of us.
Red-shouldered Hawk, Quyon, Tony Beck.
Canada Geese, Mud Lake, Alan Short. Geese are suddenly everywhere in the flooded fields in the area. Careful sifting of the flocks may reveal singles and pairs of Snow Geese, Cackling Geese, Ross’s Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese, and possibly rarer birds.
Snow Bunting, Thomas Dolan Parkway, Alan Short. Speaking of migrants, as our birds return, this bird is preparing to leave for arctic breeding grounds.
Male American Kestrel, 5th Line rd, Alan Short.
Turkey Vulture, Steeple Hill Crescent, Tony Beck.
Eastern Meadowlark, Rushmore at Richmond, Arlene Harrold. This grassland bird isn’t afraid of a little snow in the race for territory.
Female Pileated Woodpecker, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Gillian observed this female raising her crest in response to calls of a nearby Piliated. This is the same bird from different sides, showing the crest raised and relaxed.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Dewberry Trail, Tony Beck. Much like the resident Merlin, this Sharpie is happy to take advantage of the Dewberry feeders.
Immature Bald eagle, River Road near Balmoral Drive, Andrei Grushman. Most of our birds are adults by the time they return to their breeding grounds, but Bald Eagles take 4 years to achieve their adult plumage.
Killdeer, Hallville, Tony Beck. One our first shorebirds to return each year, this bird’s iconic call is so loud Derek heard them returning this week from inside the house. Maybe Derek needs better windows.
Greater White-fronted Goose (2) Continuing. Mississippi Riverwalk Trail, Lanark. (3) Mar 30, Roger Stevens Drive, Ottawa, near McCordick Rd. Mar 28, Donnelly near Malakoff, Ottawa. Mar 26, Carleton Place–Stonewater Bay stormwater pond, Lanark.
Trumpeter Swan – Mar 29-30, Constance Bay, Ottawa. (3) Mar 27, Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields, Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler – Mar 27, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. “Male; Lake Deschenes ice edge.”
Gadwall – Stittsville–Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa.
Greater Scaup (8) Mar 26, Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa.
White-winged Scoter – Mar 26, Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (3) Strathcona Park, Ottawa. Mar 28, Almonte–Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Lanark. Mar 26, Beryl Gaffney and Maple Hill Parks, Ottawa.
Red-breasted Merganser – Mar 26-29, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (6) Mar 23, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Double-crested Cormorant – All along the Rideau River and back in the usual breeding spots on the Ottawa – Rapides Deschênes and Chaudière Island, etc.
Great Egret – Mar 29, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. Mar 29, Rockcliffe Park & McKay Lake, Ottawa. Mar 27, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Mar 29, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Mar 24, Greenbelt pathway south of Davidson Road, Ottawa. “Female Black-backed Woodpecker on Greenbelt Pathway off Conroy, about 800 m in from Conroy (east). North side of trail.”
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Mar 27, Camp Fortune, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Tree Swallow (3) 27 Mar, Riverside South stormwater ponds, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Mar 30, Armitage Ave, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Mar 27, Merivale Gardens, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Mar 19-28, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – Mar 28, Voyageur Dr, Ottawa. This bird went unreported for 2 months, but probably overwintered in the area.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 23 March 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Many regular breeding species returned this week: American Woodcock, Great Blue Heron, Sandhill Crane, robin, cormorant, Song Sparrow, and many more Turkey Vultures than last week. Even more migrants are gathering south of the circle, and south winds overnight Saturday look really exciting.
Wild Turkey, Ottawa south end, Aaron Hywarren.
Trumpeter Swans, Rideau River by Chapman Mills Conservation Area, Anish Muradia.
Pileated Woodpecker, Berry Side Road, Alan Short. Alan observed this male adding another hole on the same pole he worked on last year. Ever wonder why you see those fake Pileated Woodpeckers on telephone poles? This is why.
Immature Cooper’s Hawk, Cobden Rd x Baseline Rd, Alan Short.
Common Grackle, Shirley’s Bay, Arlene Harrold. This is why our local Common Grackle is called “bronzied.”
American Tree Sparrow, Shirley’s Bay, Janet McCullough. The much smaller Chipping Sparrow does look like a Tree Sparrow, without the breast spot and bi-colored bill. The fact that the two species don’t overlap much in time no doubt makes the id harder. Tree Sparrows will head north soon, to be replaced by Chipping Sparrows for the summer.
Brown Creeper, Pine Grove (near the OFNC feeder), Gillian Wright.
Rough-legged Hawk, Horton Township, Vicky Deschamps. The feather-covered legs that give this species its name are visible in this shot. Landing on an apparently too small branch, and using the wings to balance, is a trait of this species.
Tundra Swan (2) Mar 21, Ottawa River, crossing towards Baie McLaurin or Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Mar 21, Rideau River by Chapman Mills Conservation Area, Ottawa, and Dunrobin Rd E of Thomas Dolan Rd, Ottawa, same day.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (3) Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
Double-crested Cormorant – Mar 18-22, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Mar 20, Lazy Bay Area, Ottawa.
Gadwall – Stittsville–Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Mar 21, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. March 20, Britannia Area, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Mar 18, NCC 12, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Mar 20, Greenbelt pathway south of Davidson Road, Ottawa. “Continuing. Observed in the pines at the ONFC feeder.” Mar 16, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Mar 21, Steeple Hill Crescent, Ottawa. Mar 18-19, Terry Carisse Park, Ottawa. Mar 18, Berry Side Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa. Mar 17, Beacon Hill North – Delong Drive, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – North Gower, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Mar 19-22, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. Continuing, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Atlas note: Although there is still snow on the ground, some bird species of our region are already busy breeding. The Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas would welcome your observations of Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls, as well as both Red and White-winged Crossbills wherever you encounter them. Your observations – whether these species are seen or heard – are valuable and 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. Participation is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Region Atlas Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 16 March 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Right on time, the last two weeks of March see Golden Eagles migrating North over the region.
Horned Lark, east end, Sanam Goudarzi. Most of the Horned Larks will be leaving for their breeding grounds, although we have a small breeding population.
Cedar Waxwing, Ottawa, Alan Short. Note the surprising two-part tongue, ideal for eating fruit.
Bohemian Waxwings, Ottawa, Alan Short. Ever wonder how expert birders count huge flocks? Usually by counting a representative area, then extrapolating (see How to Count Birds). This photo is an excellent opportunity to try this techinque. See how much space 10 birds take, estimate how many 10-bird groups there are, and then count the actual birds in the photo to see how close you got. Over time this technique becomes faster and more accurate.
Adult Bald Eagle, east end, Sanam Goudarzi. If you are ever feeling frustrated about conservation issues, remember the amazing success story of the recovery of the Bald Eagle across North America. One pair usually breeds near Shirley’s Bay.
Black-backed Woodpecker, Pack Pine, Gregory Zbitnew. So much cool behaviour in this one shot. All three toes are in the front position (one toe can be swung 180 degrees). The nictitating membrane is protecting the eye when the bird strikes the tree, and in this shot, when it shoots out its tongue to retrieve prey. Woodpecker tongues have to be super long to go past the long bills and deep into insect tunnels inside the tree. While this individual has been hard to find as it overwintered at Jack Pine, that’s not because it’s shy. Like many northern birds, it mostly ignores people, and at the point Greg took this shot, it had been feeding at a variety of trees very close to the trail for an hour, as a crowd gathered to watch in awe.
Adult Cooper’s Hawk, Kanata Lakes, James Fulcher.
Adult male Pine Siskin, Jack Pine, Janet McCullough. Birders love these bright yellow ‘green morph’ individuals. Green morphs are not a subspecies or genetically distinct group. In fact, Sibley says they are just on the extreme end of a normal distribution of plumage colour.
Adult male Pine Siskin, Jack Pine, Janet McCullough. How many types of feathers can you find here? Long, strong, asymmetrical flight feathers that generate lift. Symetricatical undertail feathers. Soft body feathers protecting the belly. Similar but more aerodynamic feathers protecting the flanks. Extremely asymmetrical tail feathers for maneuverability. More types of feathers are visible in the previous photo.
Bohemian Waxwing, Alan Short, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Mar 16, 417 and Kinburn, Ottawa.
Gadwall – Mar 12, Stittsville–Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa.
Lesser Scaup (2) Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Gray Partridge – Giroux Road, Ottawa. In the fields or hiding in the tree-line.
Golden Eagle – Eagle season until the end of the month! Mar 15, Flew north across the Ottawa River, east of Britannia, and then over the Gatineau Hills. Mar 15, Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Golden Eagle – Mar 12, Trans Canada near Limoges, Prescott and Russell.
Belted Kingfisher – Mar 13, Watts Creek Pathway, Ottawa, near the train tracks.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Mar 10-12, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Mar 11, Chemin Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Tufted Titmouse – North Gower, Ottawa. Infrequent and unpredictable.
Carolina Wren – (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. (2) Mar 16, Lismer Crescent, Kanata, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 9 March 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A few new waterbirds to tease spring?
Female American Three-toed Woodpecker, Jack Pine, Dan Vasiu. Although there is a Three-toed breeding record from the first Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, these birds may head back north by late April, and we may not see them again for years. With at least 5 birds in the area, fingers crossed that a pair will stick around.
Greater White-fronted Geese and Trumpeter Swans, Carleton Place, Tony Beck. The swans have been around for months, but the geese are a fresh sign of impending spring.
Bohemian Waxwing, Hildra Road, Alan Short. One of the 200 Alan saw.
Female Common Goldeneye, Mud Lake, Alan Short.
Gadwall, Iber Pond, Dan Vasiu. For a bird with just brown and black feathers, the Gadwall sports a stunning array of beautiful feather patterns.
Male Northern Pintail, Iber Pond, Edith St-Martin.
Greater White-fronted Goose (2) Mar 05-09, Carleton Place–Riverside Park, Lanark.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Carleton Place–Riverside Park, Lanark. Mar 06, Armitage road, Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler (4) Mar 05, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Gadwall – Mar 09, Stittsville–Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa.
Lesser Scaup (2) Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (4) Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Gray Partridge (5) Giroux Road, Ottawa.
Turkey Vulture – Mar 09, Britannia CA–Britannia Ridge, Ottawa. Mar 07, Walkley Rd, Ottawa. Mar 06, Perth, Lanark. Mar 06, Amberwood Village, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Mar 05, Panmure Rd, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Mar 05, Greenbelt Pathway between Hawthorne and Ramsayville, Ottawa. Mar 03, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. Talking to the gurus who know the historical data, these birds will probably leave by late April.
Northern Flicker – Richland Dr, Ottawa. Mar 06, Hopewell Avenue, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. NCC Trail 24, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – North Gower, Ottawa. Infrequent and unpredictable.
Carolina Wren – (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. (2) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow – Continuing, Wellsmere Ct, Ottawa. Very close to overwintering.
White-crowned Sparrow – Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 2 March 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Horned Lark, Akins Road, Tony Beck. This individual of the Prairie subspecies is likely a spring migrant.
Gray Partridge, Giroux Road, Edith St-Martin. Despite what many people believe, most songbirds don’t care if birders talk, sing, move around, or wear white, as long as we don’t move too fast or get too close. But gamebirds are a different story. Close views are tough to get. One strategy is to use a vehicle as a blind, shooting photos from the window or behind the vehicle to break up the human shape. If shooting through an open window, remember the difference in temperature may distort the shot. Holding the camera entirely outside the window may help.
Evening Grosbeak, Dewberry Trail, Arlene Harrold. With breeding success tied to Spruce Budworm outbreaks in the Boreal Forest, their numbers are much lower than decades ago. But there is speculation that reduced spraying over the last 3 years has caused a population bounce.
Bohemian Waxwing, Hilda Feeders, Alan Short. Not there for the seeds, Alan found these wanderers feeding on buckthorn fruit.
Male Mallard, Mud lake, Alan Short
Female Evening Grosbeak and Tree Sparrows, Dewberry, Janet McCullough. Note the massive size difference. Yet over and over on social media people who have never seen grosbeaks before post them as goldfinches, which are smaller than the sparrows, and shaped differently than the grosbeaks. New birders just naturally respond to colour before other field marks.
Cedar Waxwing, Jack Pine, Janet McCullough. Also eating buckthorn. At a quick glance, the Cedar Waxwing presents as a brighter, yellower, smaller bird.
Bohemian Waxwing, Hilda Feeders, Alan Short. These poses are close enough to really highlight the differences in plummages in these related species. The Bohemians appear larger and darker, with more red and gray instead of the yellow and white of the Cedar.
Gray Partridge, Giroux Road, Edith St-Martin.
Lesser Scaup – Continuing to at least Feb 27, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (4) Adawe, Ottawa. 2 adult males, 1 adult female, and 1 first year male. Try to collect the whole set among the Common Goldeneyes.
Gray Partridge (3) Giroux Road, Ottawa. Frequently seen in or near the trees at the base of the hill that borders the field.
Turkey Vulture – Feb 23, Riverain Park, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Richland Dr, Ottawa. William Mooney Road, Ottawa. Feb 26, Upper Otterson Pl, Ottawa. Feb 25, Billings Bridge, Ottawa. Feb 24, Abingdon Dr, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. NCC Trail 24, Ottawa. Terry Carisse Park, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Mar 01, Parc de la Gatineau – sentier 53, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Feb 24, 26, NCC Trail 24, Ottawa.
American three-toed Woodpecker – Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – North Gower, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Magladry x Birchgove to Feb 26 , Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Richland Dr, Ottawa. Feb 24, Pebble Rd, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Hermit Thrush – Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. Feb 25, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 23 February 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
More Red-bellied Woodpeckers than you could shake a perforated stick at. An influx of White-throated Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds. On the other hand, several of our rarities have been here for months. Time to start taking bets on whether they make it into the atlas.
Adult male Pine Grosbeak, Terry Carisse Park, Jordan Milko. Jordan observed the flock of about two dozen birds feeding on boxelder keys. Jordan also observed that like many northern birds, Pine Grosbeaks are not very shy.
Adult male Red-winged Blackbird, Metcalfe, Erik Pohanka. Red-winged Blackbirds demonstrate their breeding worth by the quality of breeding territory they can defend from other males. So every year some individuals take the risk to turn up while the wetlands are still iced and food is scarce, to lay first claim to prime locations. Feeders alter the risk/reward ratio by helping early arrivals weather the end of winter.
Adult male Common Goldeneye, Mud lake, Alan Short. If there is nothing as graceful as a bird in flight, there are few things less graceful than waterfowl taking off or landing. Alan caught this bird’s impressive takeoff, as it fights gravity with physics. Imagine pushing against water hard and fast enough to take to the air.
Adult male Northern Pintail, Iber Rd storm pond, Alan Short. Both this drake and the drake gadwall at the same location have already developed gorgeous breeding plumage. This is a very different strategy from the blackbirds’ attempt to hold the breeding territory. Drake ducks demonstrate their health and genes through their plumage, and in many species may not even follow the females to the areas where they nest.
Scaup sp., Britannia Point, Scott Haldane.
Red-tailed Hawks, Fallowfield, Arlene Harrold. Arlene frequently sees this pair together in the same area, so this is probably a pair that has bred together in a previous year.
Ruffed Grouse, Jack Pine, Janet McCullough. Having been on the receiving end of both the broken wing distraction display, and the ‘I’m a huge scary dinosaur, run away’ leaping fake attack, Derek much prefers the first strategy of protecting the chicks. It’s less heart-attack inducing. How scary could a mama bird possibly be? She’s a terrifying dinosaur!
Snow Goose – 18, Liscumb Rd, North Dundas, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Gadwall – Continuing in Stittsville at the Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Continuing in Stittsville at the Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa.
Lesser Scaup – Continuing, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (3) Riverain Park, Ottawa.
Gray Partridge (3) Giroux Road, Ottawa.
Turkey Vulture – Feb 19, University of Ottawa Campus, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Feb 19, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Continuing, Richland Dr, Ottawa. Feb 22,Terry Carisse Park, Ottawa. Feb 17-18, William Mooney Road, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Ch Steele, Pontiac. Continuing NCC Trail 24, Ottawa. Feb 22-23, Terry Carisse Park, Ottawa. Parkway Rd, Ottawa. Feb 19, Priam Way, Ottawa. Feb 19, Manion Heights, Ottawa.
American three-toed Woodpecker – Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa. Most frequently reported near waypoint C.
Tufted Titmouse – North Gower, Ottawa. Feb 18, Winchester area, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. The 5th Titmouse in the circle this winter?
Boreal Chickadee – Magladry x Birchgove, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Richland Dr, Ottawa. Feb 19, Ashton Station Rd, Lanark. Feb 18, Morrison Dr, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Continuing all winter, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Fox Sparrow – Continuing Wellsmere Ct, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – to at least Feb 18, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Common Grackle – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Feb 20, Foothills Dr, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – From a handful of reports last week to single males showing up everywhere this week.
Brown-headed Cowbird (4) Feb 17, Mariah St, Ottawa.
Atlas note: Although there is still snow on the ground, some bird species of our region are already busy breeding. The Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas would welcome your observations of Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls, as well as both Red and White-winged Crossbills wherever you encounter them. Your observations – whether these species are seen or heard – are valuable and 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. Participation is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Region Atlas Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 16 February 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
First Ring-billed Gull reports in a month. An uptick in Red-wing Blackbird reports. Hints of seasonal change.
Adult Red-tailed Hawk and American Crow, Moodie Drive, Tony Beck. Does that hawk seem stressed? Does that crow seem up-to-no good? That’s just anthropomorphization. Hah, that hawk is definitely stressed. Chasing raptors is the main hobby of corvids of all sizes. The Red-tailed hawk mostly eats rodents (and cottontails), so it’s not a significant danger to adult crows, and not really competing with them either. But all corvids, and many passerines will mob bigger predators and try to drive them away.
Trumpeter Swan, Mississippi River in Carleton Place (Riverside Park), Scott Haldane. The orange stain on the head is probably from feeding in iron-rich wetlands in Alaska or the Yukon. Unlike Tundra Swans that breed all across the Tundra from Quebec to Alaska, Trumpeter Swans breed in the North West.
Male Common Merganser, Mud lake, Alan Short.
Merlin, Dewberry Trail Feeders, Alan Short.
Adult Female Northern Cardinal, Fletcher, Janet McCullough.
Wild Turkey, Upper Dwyer Hill, Janet McCullough. Note the wicked spurs on the back of the legs. They are keratinized like talons, and so are actually formidable weapons. Males may use them in fights for dominance when the dance-off doesn’t solve things.
Gadwall – Continuing in Stittsville at the Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa.
Lesser Scaup – Continuing, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (3) Adawe/ Riverain Park, Ottawa.
Gray Partridge – Feb 12, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. Feb 14, Richmond golf course, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Feb 11, Kizell Pond, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Continuing, Richland Dr, Ottawa. Armitage Ave, Ottawa. Feb 15, Baxter CA, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Feb 14, Ch Steele, Pontiac. Feb 14, Oriole, Ottawa. Feb 10, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Feb 12, NCC Trail 24, Ottawa. Feb 11, Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa.
American three-toed Woodpecker – Feb 11-16, Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa. Generally reported near waypoint Near C. More frequently reported this week.
Tufted Titmouse – Feb 07-10 North Gower, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Feb 12, Magladry x Birchgove, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Continuing, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
White-throated Sparrow – Feb 12-15, Fletcher Wildlife Centre, at the feeder. Feb 15, Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa. Feb 12, Solva Dr, Ottawa. Feb 13, Old Quarry trail, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – Feb 16, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa. Walden Dr, Ottawa. Feb 14, Dwyer Hill Rd, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 9 February 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A new Tufted Titmouse in North Gower. Titmice for everyone! Both Bohemian Waxwing and Pine Grosbeak numbers have increased in the past few weeks.
Black Capped Chickadee, Mud lake, Alan Short. Chickadees, Robins and other birds will eat sumac in late winter when other fruit runs out. And they will investigate it for insects year round.
Male House Finch, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Alan Short.
Male Evening Grosbeak, Dewberry Trail, Tony Beck. The flock at Dewberry is fairly consistent and easy to see. Can’t guarantee your photos will turn out as well as Tony’s though.
Barrow’s Goldeneye, and several Common Goldeneye, Adawe Crossing, Scott Halane. This is a great learning shot. Compare the face patches, and the difference in black and white on the scapulars is nicely contrasted too. And the Barrow’s distinctive pose is so different we could id him from a silhouette.
Winter passerines, Lockhead Road, Gillian Wright. How many of each, and what species?
Winter passerines, Lockhead Road, Arlene Harrold. Different view, same question.
Horned Lark, Lockhead Road, Jordan Milko. Jordan caught this Lark looking perfectly at home in the -40 (with windchill) weather.
Red-tailed hawk (and American Crow), Steeple Hill, Janet McCullough.
White-throated Sparrow, Tanya Middlebro. Tanya has had a white-throated sparrow under her feeder since November, and for the last two winters as well. It is a very special bird to her, as it was the first bird her beloved grandmother taught her to recognise at the age of 9. It nested outside their remote family cottage. Sometimes birding is as much about our relationships with others as it is about the birds.
Snow Goose – Feb 05, Wincester–Liscumb Road, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Adult, in open creek.
Trumpeter Swan (7) Feb 09, Riverside Park, Carleton Place.
Green-winged Teal – Feb 08, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. A gorgeous male.
Lesser Scaup (2) Continuing, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa. Seen from both sides of the river.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – (3) Riverain Park, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Trail Road Landfill. Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (2) Continuing, Richland Dr, Ottawa. Armitage Ave, Ottawa. Feb 05, Bankfield Road, Ottawa. Feb 05, Armitage Ave, Ottawa. Feb 05, Abingdon Drive, Ottawa. Feb 04, Arboretum, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Feb 06, Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa. Feb 05, NCC Trail 24, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Feb 07, Old Quarry Trail, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Feb 07-09 North Gower, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak (19) Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Not rare, this flock is consistent and easy to find.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Continuing, Jan 28-Feb 07, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
White-crowned Sparrow – Feb 09, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. Continuing, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Fox Sparrow – Continuing Wellsmere Ct, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Feb 05, Riverside South stormwater ponds, Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird – Feb 05, Heritage Dr, Montague, Lanark, just outside the circle.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 2 February 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A new Tufted Titmouse in Kanata.
Cooper’s Hawk, Winchester, Nina Stavlund.
American Black Duck x Mallard, and American Black Duck (both male), Billings Bridge, Judith Gustafsson.
Snow Buntings, Aikins, Janet McCullough. What’s the difference between a snow-covered roof and a snow drift? Not much if you’re a visitor from the far North. This flock was sheltering from the wicked winds on the leeward side of the roof, typical Snow Bunting behaviour in a storm. In storms they will let themselves be passively buried by the snow. But during extreme conditions, such as the temperatures expected in our region on Feb 02 and 03, they actively burrow under the snow. Look close, and you can see some are already half buried. Info from the excellent BirdsoftheWorld.org.
Merlin, Hilda Road, Alan Short.
Female Hairy woodpecker, Mud lake, Alan Short. Following up on last week’s woodpecker question, the longer beak and clean white outer tail feathers make this ID. There is also a hint of the black spur down the chest from the shoulder as well.
Female Downy Woodpecker, Mud Lake, Alan Short. Again, another easy ID, with the shorter beak, and the obvious black spots on the outer tail … oh come on birds, must you make a liar out of Derek every week? OK, no visible black spots on the tail feathers, and an excellent reminder to use multiple ID points, not just one, when possible. Well, the bill is short… except facing away from us is it foreshortened and appearing artificially short? Let’s say probable Downy Woodpecker.
American Robin, Mud lake, Alan Short. With a fairly poor wild grape crop this winter, overwintering robins are relying on Buckthorn, much to the benefit of the Buckthorn.
Lesser Scaup – Continuing, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa. Seen from both sides of the river.
Gadwall – Continuing, Iber Road storm pond (Stittsville), Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – (2) Adawe Crossing, Ottawa. Anywhere from Adawe to Hurdman.
Northern Harrier – Strandherd Dr, Ottawa. Trail Road Landfill. Presumably the same bird.
Northern Flicker – Continuing, Richland Dr, Ottawa. Armitage Ave, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing to Feb 02, Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Jan 29, Parkway Rd, Ottawa. Jan 27, NCC Greenbelt Trail 24, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Jan 31, Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Jan 31, Hansen Ave. There are trails in the park behind Hansen Ave.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Winter Wren – Feb 01, Fifth Line, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Continuing, Fifth Line Rd, Ottawa. Berry Side road, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Continuing, Jan 28-Feb 01, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
White-crowned Sparrow – Continuing, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Common Grackle – Continuing to Feb 02, Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Jan 30, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird – Jan 30, Julia Ct, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 26 January 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
No new birds this week. Perhaps it’s a good time to work on bird song for the upcoming atlas season.
Bohemian Waxwings, Bridlewood, Tony Beck. One of these things is not like the others. Which, and why?
Snow Bunting, Steeple Hill, Arlene Harrold. Snow Buntings have two types of camouflage. Their winter colors of white, black and browns blend well into weedy, snow-covered fields. And the white breaks up the body making it challenging for a predator to see the outline of the body to target them well.
Mallard, Strathcona Park, Judith Gustafsson. Not many animals spend as much time grooming as ducks, but when icy water is just a poor grooming attempt away, the effort becomes vital.
Mallard, Strathcona Park, Judith Gustafsson. Is this bird actually contorted enough to apply oil from the rump gland to her own head? It sure looks like it.
Gadwall, Iber Rd storm pond, Gillian Mastromatteo.
Merlin, Hilda Rd Feeders, Alan Short. Bird feeders feed more than seed-eaters.
Woodpecker, Hilda Rd Feeders, Alan Short. Which woodpecker, and why?
American Tree Sparrow, Hilda Rd Feeders, Alan Short. It is worth it to spend some time watching these birds, and listening to their calls. These are sounds we will not hear in the summer.
Northern Flicker, Metcalfe, Erik Pohanka. What’s a bird that mainly eats ants on the ground doing in Metcalfe in January? In this case, using suet to stay closer to the breeding grounds.
Lesser Scaup – Continuing to at least Jan 21, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Gadwall – Continuing, Iber Road storm pond (Stittsville), Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Riverain Park, Ottawa.
American Coot – Jan 03-25, Half Moon Bay Park, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Continuing, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Jan 23, Long Island, Manotick, Ottawa
Northern Flicker – Continuing, Richland Dr, Ottawa. Jan 24, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Gardens Corridor, Ottawa. Jan 23, Warrington Drive, Ottawa. Jan 22, McKendry Park Woods, Metcalfe, Ottawa. Jan 20-21, Armitage Ave, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Jan 26, Rue Larabie, Gatineau. Jan 26, Parkway Rd, Ottawa. Jan 21, Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Oct 16 to Jan 23, on the NCC Greenbelt Pathway, just East of Conroy, Ottawa. Jan 21, Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Continuing Dec 01-Jan 21, Birchgrove and Magladry roads, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse – Continuing Dec 04 – Jan 22, Fairmile Rd, Ottawa. Avoid 2449 Fairmile.
Carolina Wren (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Jan 14, Magladry Rd and Birchgrove Rd corner, Ottawa. Jan 14, Airport Parkway, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird – Continuing, Fifth Line Rd, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow – Jan 22, Wellsmere Ct, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow – Jan 24, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Common Grackle – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 19 January 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Mourning Dove, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Alan Short. Ever notice the bright pink feet?
Adult male Common Goldeneye, Adàwe Crossing Bridge, Ottawa, Alan Short. As in the male Mallard, the green iridescence is caused by microstructures in the feathers that reflect green light, not pigment.
Adult female Common Goldeneye, Adàwe Crossing Bridge, Ottawa, Alan Short.
American Coot, Half Moon Bay, Gillian Mastromatteo. Like many diving birds, coots have red eyes, but in low light they appear dark and the eyes seem to disappear.
Northern Pintail, Half Moon Bay, Gillian Mastromatteo. Always double check the sleeping Mallards. They pick up stragglers.
Adult male Horned Lark, Lockhead Road just south of North Gower, Bill Buchanan. The “horn” tufts of feathers are not always visible. The strong black does identify this as a male.
Horned Lark, Lockhead Road just south of North Gower, Bill Buchanan. Some birds hop, and some walk. Larks are obviously walkers. Note the long spur on the back toe.
Red-tailed Hawks, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Gillian Wright. Gillian observed these hawks hanging around together. Pairs that have previously mated will spend time together outside of the breeding season. The female is on average 20% larger than the male.
Male American Three-toed Woodpecker, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Wondering how much longer he can hide from Derek? Forever? Possibly forever…
Lesser Scaup (2) Continuing, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Gadwall – Jan 18-19, Iber Road storm pond (Stittsville), Ottawa.
Horned Grebe – Jan 14, River near Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck – Continuing to Jan 15, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (3) Strathcona Park, Ottawa.
American Coot – Jan 03-19, Half Moon Bay Park, Ottawa.
Turkey Vulture – Jan 15, Highway 17, Ottawa, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle – Jan 17, Ramsay Con. 7B, Lanark.
Northern Harrier – Jan 18, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Jan 17, Northgraves Cres, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Jan 17, Tanger Outlets, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Jan 18,Richlan Dr, Ottawa. Jan 16, Heart’s Desire Park, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Continuing Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa. Jan 15, Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Jan 14, NCC Greenbelt Trail 24, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Oct 16 to Jan 16, on the NCC Greenbelt Pathway, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Jan 14, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Continuing Dec 01-Jan 18, Birchgrove and Magladry Road, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Jan 14, Magladry Rd and Birchgrove Rd corner, Ottawa. Jan 14, Airport Parkway, Ottawa.
Eastern Bluebird (3) Jan 14, Fifth Line (abandoned farm), Ottawa.
Chipping Sparrow – Jan 17, Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow – Jan 18, Wellsmere Ct, Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird – Jan 16, North Gower, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Continuing Dec 27 to Jan 15, Solva Drive, Ottawa. On trail behind Solva.
eBird tip: Fairmile is a quiet residential street. The continuing presence of smiling people with fancy optics standing around for long periods has unsettled some residents and created friction with observers. For the sake of the homeowners and the positive reputation of our birding community, consider skipping the Titmouse. There will be another one. If you do report the Tufted Titmouse, please use the newly created hot spot. If you have existing checklists, please consider merging with the new hotspot. The stakeout pin is: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L22251193
How to merge a personal location to a hotspot
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 12 January 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
There seems to be a regular turn over of ducks, presumably due to varying ice conditions.
Adult male Mallard, Mud Lake, Gillian Wright. What pigments give Mallards their gorgeous colors? Carotenoids for the yellow, melanins for the brown. But the colour-shifting metallic green? No pigment at all, but tiny reflective tissues in the feathers.
Female White-breated Nuthatch, Mud lake, Alan Short. Our local male and female nuthatches can be told apart. The males have black caps, and the females have gray caps. Ever watch them when someone offers them food? Some individuals will fly to the hand and take seeds. Others will not, but they will take the peanuts that they just watched the chickadees hide. (Not advocating hand-feeding, just pointing out an easily observed behaviour on the Jack Pine Trail).
First winter male Common Goldeneye, Mud Lake, Alan Short. Notice the white patch developing on the face as the bird transitions from juvenile to adult plumage.
Female Common Goldeneye, Baie Fraser, Scott Haldane. That yellow bill tip might get the heart racing – Barrow’s! But bills are too long, the yellow tip too limited (for this time of year), and too much white in the coverts. These are both Common Goldeneye.
American Coot, Half-moon Bay, Sanam Goudarzi.
Rock Pigeon, Strathcona Park, Judith Gustafsson. Of all our birds, Rock Pigeons probably have the most variable plumage, presumably since North American birds are descended from escaped or introduced individuals.
Adult male Northern Pintail, Billings Bridge, Judith Gustafsson. Bonus points for IDing the other duck.
Bohemian Waxwings, Mud lake, Gillian Wright. With its abundant winter fruit, and laxative qualities, the invasive Common Buckthorn is quickly spread by birds.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Jan 04-07 Carp River watershed at March Road, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan – Jan 07, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Canvasback – Jan 10, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Ring-necked Duck – Jan 09-10, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Lesser Scaup (2) Continuing, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Greater Scaup – Continuing, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail – Jan 11, Étang Grimes, Gatineau.
Green-winged Teal – Jan 09, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck – Continuing to Jan 11, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continuing Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
American Coot – Jan 03-10, Half Moon Bay Park, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier – Jan 07, Sixth Line Road, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Reported Jan 12, River Rd, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Jan 08, Berry Side Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa. Jan 08 and 11, Rivermill Crescent, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Oct 16 to Jan 10, “Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy)” is the eBird hotspot, the bird is seen east of Conroy, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Jan 07, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Continuing Dec 01-Jan 10, Birchgrove and Magladry Road, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (2) Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Jan 07, Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa,
Common Grackle – Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse (2) Dec 01 – Jan 11, Fairmile Rd, Ottawa. All the visits are causing discomfort to some of the homeowners. If you go, please don’t stand directly in front of houses, see the bird(s), and leave. Or skip the titmouse. There will be another.
Eastern Bluebird (2) Jan 11, Berry Side Rd, Ottawa. (3) Jan 09, Fifth Line Road, Dunrobin, Ontario, CA (45.417, -75.966), Ottawa, Ontario
White-crowned Sparrow – Continuing, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Continuing Dec-27 to Jan 12, Solva Drive, Ottawa. On trail behind Solva.
eBird Tip: Sitting Scaup are notoriously difficult to identify. If the diagnostic wing stripe is not noted, it is recommended to record these as Scaup species.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 5 January 2023
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Despite (or because of) the wet mild weather, listers are off to a great start, with many long-staying rarities still here. A very brief and unseasonal Laughing Gull meant 6 species of gull (plus Thayer’s).
Male Long-tailed Duck, Britannia, Aaron Hywarren.
Yellow-rumped warbler, Crystal Beach, Sheila Craig. These robust warblers winter as far north as the southern edge of Lake Ontario, or southwest Nova Scotia, so a mild Ottawa winter such as this isn’t a great threat. Insectivores for the breeding season, they naturally add fruit and seeds in the winter, and may live entirely on fruit at times.
Female American Three-toed Woodpecker, Jack Pine Trail, Gillian Mastromatteo.
Black-capped Chickadee, Magladry and Birchgrove, Tom Devecseri.
Boreal Chickadee, Magladry and Birchgrove, Tom Devecseri. Tom has provided an excellent comparison in these two profiles. The structure is the same, and if we look closely, so too are the feather tracts. Just the colours differ.
Mallards, Mud lake, Alan Short.
Male American Black Ducks, Billings Bridge, Judith Gustafsson. How can we tell these are males when male and female plumage is the same in this species? The bright yellow bills, as in the closely related Mallard. Female bills are dark olive, but lack the dark patch of the female Mallard’s upper bill.
American Coot, Half Moon Bay Park, Aaron Hywarren. An unexpected delight for winter listers. Check out the feet.
First winter male Harlequin Duck, Bate Island, Aaron Hywarren. More white is showing as this individual moves from immature towards adult plumage.
Northern Cardinal, Mud lake, Alan Short.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Jan 04-05, Carp River watershed at March Road, Ottawa.
Wood Duck – Rideau River between Adàwe Crossing and Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Lesser Scaup (4) Jan 03, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck – Continuing to Jan 01, Bate Island, Ottawa. Reported Jan 02 from Britannia CA, Ottawa. Adult male plumage is slowly emerging.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Continuing Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Bate Island, and Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
American Coot – Jan 03-05, Half Moon Bay Park, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Snipe – Dec 27, Klondike Rd, Ottawa.
Laughing Gull – Jan 01, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. First winter record for Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (2) Dec 30, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Great Blue Heron – Jan 03, Richmond – town SW, Ottawa. Dec 30, Park Champlain Neighborhood, Gatineau.
Northern Harrier – Jan 03-04, Terry Fox/Fernbank farm fields, Ottawa. Trail road landfill. Jan 04, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher – Jan 01- 04, Kizell Pond, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Continuing Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa. Jan 04, Twin Elm Road, Ottawa. Jan 02, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. Dec 29, Pine Ridge, Wakefield, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Dec 29, Dunvegan Rd, Ottawa.
American Three-toed Woodpecker – Oct 16 to Jan 05, “Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy)” is the eBird hotspot, the bird is seen east of Conroy, Ottawa. Dec 18-Jan 02, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Jan 03, Pine Grove (South), Ottawa.
Northern Flicker – Jan 04, Abingdon Drive, Ottawa. Visiting feeders around Leskie Park and Briargreen. Jan 01 Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee – Continuing Dec 01-Jan 05, Birchgrove and Magladry Road, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren – Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush – Jan 02, Cantley, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais,
Brown-headed Cowbird – Flock continues Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Jan 05, Birchgrove and Magladry Road, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird – Jan 02, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Jan 01, Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa.
Common Grackle – Continuing to Dec 29, Dewberry Trail Parking Feeder, Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse (2) Dec 01 – Jan 05 Fairmile Rd, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee – Jan 02, Voyageur Dr, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dec-27 to Jan 05, Solva Drive, Ottawa. On trail behind Solva.
eBird tip: While for much of the year Ring-billed is the commonest gull in the Ottawa area, this is not the case from mid December to mid February when Herring out numbers them by a ratio of at least 100:1. In some years Ring-billed is completely absent for about a month in mid-winter.