Ottawa and area bird sightings to 24 April 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A great push of migrants over the long weekend, with a massive pulse of Kinglets and Fox sparrows, and many early birds. Some great vagrants: a Mountain Bluebird and a Barnacle Goose seen by many, and a Franklin’s Gull seen by few. A Spotted x Eastern Towhee. So many waxwings!
Mountain Bluebird, Panmure Rd, by Steve Strauss.
Carolina Wren, Mud lake, by Sanam Goudarzi. Despite its vulnerability to deep snow and severe cold, Carolina Wrens have established a small foothold here in Eastern Ontario and have been found in nine of the 86 10 x 10 km squares of the Ottawa Atlas Region. Carolina Wrens are likely breeding now, so all observations – whether only heard or seen – are most welcome in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
Brown Creeper, Mud Lake, by Gillian Wright. We have residents in the winter and breeders in the summer. High-pitched and well camouflaged, they are always hard to see… except this week when migrants are flooding north and every remotely treed space hosts one or several.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grove, by Gillian Wright. The three moods of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet: top: annoyed, middle – very annoyed, and bottom – ready to take on the owl. Derek observed them mobbing two different species of owls on the long weekend. We cannot actually tell the sex of the top bird from this photo – the male’s ruby-crown is hidden until they are riled up.
Pine Warbler, Gillian Wright, Pine Grove.
Bufflehead (males), Andrew haydon, by Alan Short. Alan watched these two males fight over a female for 20 minutes before the challenger was driven off.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mud Lake, by Sanam Goudarzi. `Have you noticed that the first warblers are all males? All species come through in two waves – males race North to claim territory, then a pulse of females who will choose mates in part for the ability to claim and hold good habitat.
Hooded Merganser (adult male), Mud Lake, by Sanam Goudarzi. In some bird families the males invest energy in claiming good habitat, defending it, and/or providing food for the young or the brooding female. Ducks? Not so much. All the male’s energy goes into impressing the female, and once she starts incubating the eggs, he is gone.
Winter Wren, Pine Grove, by Rick Collins. These local breeders have already claimed territory.
Greater Scaup, Andrew Haydon Park, by Alan short.
Spotted Sandpiper, Bruce Pit, by Catherine Lawrence.
Pied-billed Grebe, Bruce Pit, by Catherine Lawrence. Our breeding grebe, they have returned and are already claiming territory with their haunting calls.
Upland Sandpiper, Panmure Rd, by Brian Morin. Ever hear the wolf whistle of this endangered species? You would swear the whistle comes from a human, not a sandpiper.
Eastern phoebe, Arboretum, by Christopher Clunas. This bird is gathering nesting material.
Ross’s Goose (1) Apr 22, Winchester, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Barnacle Goose (1) Apr 18-19, W end of Cambrian Rd W, Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian) (1) Apr 19, Halte routière, Lochaber, Papineau. Very exciting if you prefer your teal striped horizontally instead of vertically.
Harlequin Duck (1) Apr 17- 22, Chemin Riverside, Wakefield, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Eastern Whip-poor-will (1) Apr 24, Carp Hills, Ottawa.
Upland Sandpiper (4) Apr 19-23, Panmure Rd, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper (1) Ottawa–Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa. (1) Apr 21, Last Mile Rd, Ottawa. (1) Apr 19, Remic Rapids and Champlain Bridge area, Ottawa. (1) Apr 19, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Solitary Sandpiper (1) Apr 19, Highland Park Cemetery, Ottawa.
Dunlin (2) Apr 21, Frank Kenny Road (bridge), Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Apr 21, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. (3) Apr 20, Morris Island CA, Ottawa. (2) Apr 19, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa.
Franklin’s Gull (1) Apr 19, Moodie Dr north of Barnsdale, Ottawa, and also Twin Elm Road, Ottawa. Beautiful adult bird.
Iceland Gull (1) Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa, or the field south of Moody Quarry, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Apr 22, Panmure Rd., Ottawa. (1) Apr 20, Flewellyn Rd, Ottawa. (1) Apr 19, Prescott-Russel Trail Link, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – no longer trips the Ottawa eBird ‘rare’ filter. Still an awesome bird every time.
Red-headed Woodpecker (2) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Eastern Wood-Pewee (1) Apr 22, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa
Eastern Kingbird (1) Apr 22, Stittsville Stormwater Pond 2, Ottawa.
Blue-headed Vireo (3) Apr 20, Pine Grove, north and south of Davidson Road, Ottawa. (1) Apr 19, Rifle Road, Ottawa.
Shrike sp. (1) Apr 23-24 Panmure road. It’s shoulder season for shrike (when both local species are rare) and this bird’s id is under review.
Northern House Wren (1) Apr 24, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa. (1) Apr 22, Richmond SE – Gallagher Rd, Mackey to Harnett, Ottawa.
Marsh Wren (1) Apr 24, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Mountain Bluebird (1) Apr 20-23, Panmure Rd., Ottawa.
Bohemian Waxwing – 1000s still around this week.
Grasshopper Sparrow (1) Apr 24, Innis Point Bird Observatory, Ottawa.
Spotted x Eastern Towhee (hybrid) (1) Apr 21, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler (1) Apr 20, Remic Rapids and Champlain Bridge area, Ottawa. This record early warbler was “foraging in the woods behind the Remic bistro area.”
Atlas notes: Peak breeding season is just around the corner and you can still join the 250 other Ottawa-area birders who are participating in a once-in-a-generation community science effort: the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
All your bird observations 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.
To launch the final year of the Atlas, there are a number of local events including a virtual seminar “Introduction to the Atlas and Getting Started in the Ottawa Region” on Wednesday 30 April, a presentation at Wild Birds Unlimited in Kanata on Thursday May 1st, and an informal meet and greet from 0830 to 1000 on Sunday 4 May 25 at the Shirleys Bay Boat Launch. For more information please contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 17 April 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Goose season slides into gull season and lots of birds are just south of us.
Harlequin Duck (subadult male), Wakefield, by Aaron Hywarren.
Bohemian Waxwings, Mud lake, by Sanam Goudarzi. The invasion continues, with small flocks everywhere and big flocks of over 1000 seen at Mud Lake and Shirley’s Bay. Picking carefully through a big flock may uncover some Cedar Waxwings.
Evening Grosbeak (female), Casselman, by Erik Pohanka.
Double-crested Cormorant, Ottawa river, by Scott Haldane. A reminder of how this local breeder got its name.
Northern Pintail (male), Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Pintails can seem rare as they migrate through, but on April 10, someone counted over 1000 in the Cobb Creek floodplain.
Ring-billed Gull, Mud lake, by Alan Short. Ring-billed Gulls breed locally on islands in the Ottawa River, and the bright red skin around the base of the bill and the eye (called the cere) indicates that this bird is in breeding mode.
Turkey Vulture, Harbison Road, by Sanam Goudarzi. Cliff nesters, Turkey Vultures have adapted equally well to ledges on the Gatineau Escarpment as abandoned silos, barns and houses.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (male), Mud Lake, by Christopher Clunas. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are one of a handful of species that are increasingly being found here in Eastern Ontario. 20 years ago during the Second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, they were absent from the Ottawa Region. So far in the Third Atlas, they have only been observed in a handful of the 86 Atlas squares here in our region. As we approach their breeding season, your observations of this species would be most welcome in the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
Song Sparrow, Mud Lake, by Sanam Goudarzi. A very common local breeder, males are already defending territory in every suburban yard and landscape with a hint of a shrub. They even nest in potted shrubs.
Black-crowned Night Heron, Ottawa River, by Scott Haldane. Since Derek complains so much about badly named birds, this is a very well named species – crowned in black and active at night. Also active at day when they have chicks to feed.
Black-capped Chickadee, Mud Lake, by Gillian Wright. This bird was banded in 2018, so it is at least 7 years old. They use that very small bill to excavate rotten wood to form their nesting cavities. A chickadee digging in rotten wood is probable breeding evidence. Derek has witnessed two pairs excavating this week – one in a rotten tree and one in a neglected fence post.
Bohemian Waxwings, mud lake, by Alan Short. A very small part of the 2000+ waxwings present at Mud Lake (and other locations) this week.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Apr 13, PN de Plaisance–Tête de la Baie, Papineau.
Mute Swan (1) Apr 14, Baie Lochaber, Papineau. (2) Apr 13, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau.
Trumpeter Swan (1) Apr 12-15, Marais des Laîches, Gatineau. (1) Apr 15, Richmond SE – Harnett Rd N of Paden, Ottawa. (10) Apr 13, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau. (2) Apr 13, Marlborough Forest–E4 entrance, Ottawa. (1) Apr 12, Greenland Road between Vance side and TAD PW, Ottawa. (10) Apr 11, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (1) Apr 13, Harbison Rd, Ottawa.
Redhead (10) Apr 14, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (1) Apr 14, Steen Ln, Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck (1) Apr 12-16, Chemin Mill, Wakefield, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. In the rapids.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Apr 09-13, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (1) Apr14, Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper (1) Apr 16, Summerside West stormwater pond, Ottawa.
Common Gallinule (1) Apr 11-13, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Bonaparte’s Gull (13) Apr 12, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Glaucous Gull (1) Apr 17, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Iceland Gull (1) Apr 14, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (3) Apr 11-12, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Apr 12, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Britannia, Ottawa. (1) Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa. (1) Apr 14, Seguinbourg Rd, The Nation, Prescott and Russell. (1) Apr 13, Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Bohemian Waxwing – Not precisely rare, but uncommon this winter, a flock of 2000+ was reported from the Shirley’s Bay area on April 12.
Northern Shrike (2) Apr 17, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Apr 16, Summerside West stormwater pond, Ottawa.
Pine Grosbeak (1) Apr 12, Parc de la Gatineau–Vallée Meech, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Snow Bunting (4) Apr 13, NCC Greenbelt P16, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Apr 13, Beryl Gaffney Park, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: What do Eastern Screech Owls, American Woodcocks, and Mourning Doves have in common? They are a few of the handful of local species – along with Trumpeter Swans, Ruffed Grouse, and three other types of owls – that breed here in Eastern Ontario in April.
Have you heard or seen these species at this time of year? If so, you can easily join the 250 other Ottawa-area birders who are participating in one of Ontario’s largest community science efforts: the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Your breeding bird observations 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 in this once-in-a-generation 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 10 April 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
American Woodcock, by Tony Beck. Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy one of our most enjoyable springtime birds at dusk. Like an official with an overzealous live-broadcast censor button, American Woodcocks can be heard giving their “peent” calls or doing their impressive — and sometimes erratic — display flights. If you are really fortunate, you may even get to enjoy a few minutes of them doing the “Funky Timberdoodle Strut.” While they are almost certainly everywhere in the Ottawa Atlas Region we have only confirmed their breeding in just three of 86 squares, and there are 28 squares where they haven’t been atlassed at all. As this is the last year of the Atlas, your American Woodcock observations – regardless of location – would be most welcome.
American Kestrel (female), Ottawa, by TJ Way. Checking out a potential nesting crevice.
Eastern Towhee (male), Ficko Cres, by Pam Laprise. Despite a window and bird nets (to prevent window strikes), Pam was able to snap a positive identification shot, demonstrating once again that the most valuable photo is the one you actually take.
American Kestrels (female on the left, male on the right), Ottawa, by TJ Way.
American Kestrels, Ottawa, by TJ Way. Participating in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas really is as simple as noting behaviour and reporting it. Sometimes what the birds are doing is pretty obvious: this is courtship/copulation and is indicative of probable breeding.
Red-shouldered Hawk, Ottawa, Gillian Wright. Red-shouldered Hawks have been back in our region for about a month and are now on their breeding territories. This bird can be easily added to the Atlas as it was observed in suitable nesting habitat during its breeding season.
American Kestrel (male), Ottawa, by TJ Way. Kestrels’ tendency to use human structures for nesting leads to a lot of great photographic compositions.
Bohemian Waxwings, Shirley’s Bay, by Aaron Hywarren. You no doubt heard about or perhaps encountered the BOWA frenzy on the 12th. The attached image is part of a big flock that was moving around Shirleys Bay. There are 619 birds in the image but at least twice that number were present.
Northern Cardinal, Ottawa, by Aaron Hywarren. Watch your neighbourhood Northern Cardinals closely as we are in the time of year when they are expected to breed. If you see one in your neighbourhood singing from the same tree over the space of a week, that’s a bird holding territory and suggests probable breeding… an incredibly easy way to contribute your observation to the Atlas.
Rusty Blackbird, Twin Elm Road wetlands, by Aaron Hywarren. Completely absent from the region in July, this more northerly breeder is just passing through, and is some other atlasser’s problem.
Brant (1) Apr 04, Dilworth road, Ottawa.
Ross’s Goose (1) Apr 03, Cobbs Creek floodplain, Prescott and Russell.
Mute Swan (1) Apr 07, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa. (1) Apr 04, Ottawa River Lookout & Path, Ottawa (near Green’s Creek).
Trumpeter Swan (3) Apr 06, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa. (5) Apr 06, Milton Rd, Vars, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (8) Apr 06, Cobbs Lake Creek at Du Lac Road, Prescott and Russell. (5) Apr 07, Navan, Milton Road at bridge, Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Apr 09-10, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. “Adult male. Vigorously dancing.” (1) Apr 07, Remic Rapids and Champlain Bridge area, Ottawa. (1) Apr 05, Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night Heron – One week later than the Great Egrets, suddenly everywhere.
Golden Eagle (1) Apr 07, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Britannia, Ottawa. (1) Apr 06, Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (2) Apr 08, Constance Bay, Ottawa, Ontario
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1) Apr 06, Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Apr 06, Marais Pélissier, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Apr 06, Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Apr 05, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2) Apr 04, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Atlas notes: What do Eastern Screech Owls, American Woodcocks, and Mourning Doves have in common? They are a few of the handful of local species – along with Trumpeter Swans, Ruffed Grouse, and three other types of owls – that breed here in Eastern Ontario in April.
Have you heard or seen these species at this time of year? If so, you can easily join the 250 other Ottawa-area birders who are participating in one of Ontario’s largest community science efforts: the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Your breeding bird observations 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 in this once-in-a-generation 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 3 April 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A great flood of Great Egrets. A trickle of Ospreys. The first Greater Yellowlegs and American Pipit. What else might those storms and south winds have delivered to the region?
Eastern Phoebe, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, by Christopher Clunas. The first of the flycatchers to return each year, these tough birds can eat fruit, and it is common to see them claiming territory while there is still snow on the ground and no insects flying.
Red-shouldered Hawk, Vars, by Erin Durant. Reliant on small mammals when they return in the spring, over the summer they will expand their diet to include snakes and frogs.
Double-crested Cormorants, Nepean Pond, by Scott Haldane. This species has been trickling back in over the past few weeks as ice cover has retreated.
Northern Pintail (female), Nepean Pond, by Scott Haldane. Much better camouflaged than the male, the female is easy to overlook in the flooded fields around Ottawa, but a fair number are passing through now.
Northern Pintail (male), Mud Lake, by Alan Short. If you see the striking male mixed in with some other dabblers, look for the more subtle female.
Mourning Dove, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Doves have interesting ID features such as those black spots and the blue cere around the eye. It’s easy to overlook these things since there are no other confusing doves around here. The marks are interesting enough in their own right, but knowing them may be more useful in the future as European Collared Dove and White-winged Dove expand their ranges.
Peregrine Falcon with prey, Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Peregrine Falcon, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Males and females share the same plumage, but you can tell the sexes apart when they are together: the female is always much larger.
Common Mergansers, Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, The Nation, by Erik Pohanka. If you imagine real hard, you can almost see the red blush on the breast and belly that gave this great bird its terrible, terrible name.
American Blacks Ducks (female on the left, male on the right), Rideau River, by Janet McCullough. The female has an olive green bill, while the male has a yellow bill like a male Mallard.
Ross’s Goose (1) Mar 28, Old Perth Rd, Mississippi Mills, Lanark.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Mar 29, Anderson Road, Ottawa, Ontario, CA, Ottawa. (2) Mar 28, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa.
Barnacle Goose (1) Mar 29, Frank Kenny Road (bridge), Ottawa. A SNOW x Barnacle Goose has been photographed in Southern Ontario, so be aware when id’ing future Barnacle.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Apr 02, Milton Rd, Ottawa. (1) Apr 02, Ch Carnochan, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Apr 01, Russell – North, Prescott and Russell.
Tundra Swan (5) Mar 28, Rideau Valley Dr S, Ottawa. (5) Mar 28, Baxter CA, Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa. Seen up and down river.
Greater Yellowlegs (1) Apr 03, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa,
Glaucous Gull (1) Mar 31-Apr 01, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (1) Mar 29, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night Heron (1) Apr 03, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Apr 01, .Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa.
Great Egret – Suddenly everywhere Mar 31-Apr 01.
Golden Eagle (1) Apr 03, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Apr 02, Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Mont, Les Collines-de-L’Outaouais. (1) Apr 02, Crystal Beach Greenspace, Ottawa.
(1) Apr 02, Seguinbourg Rd, The Nation, Prescott and Russell. (1) Mar 31, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Apr 01, Weslock Park, Ottawa.
Varied Thrush (1) Mar 28, Stonecrest Rd, , Ottawa.
American Pipit (1) Mar 28, -Brewer Park, Ottawa
Chipping Sparrow (1) Apr 02, Richland Dr, Ottawa. (1) Apr 02, Trend-Arlington, Ottawa. (1) Apr 01, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2) Apr 02, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Mar 31, Twin Elm Road Wetlands, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 27 March 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Goose season continues with Greater White-fronted Geese, many Ross’s, and big flocks of Snow Geese staging inside and outside the circle. Fox Sparrows are starting to pass through and ambitious Eastern Phoebe’s are setting up territories. Sandhill Cranes and Golden Eagles continue to migrate through.
Northern Shoveller (male), Nepean Pond, by Lorraine Elworthy. This male, hatched last year, hasn’t quite achieved breeding plumage. Check out the highly specialized shape of the huge bill in the reflection.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Vars, by Erin Durant. Birds can be id’ed by different methods – one common way is field marks. Another, relevant here when not all the field marks are visible is general impression size and shape. This small hawk is just darn cute, in contrast to the fierce expression on every Cooper’s Hawk, ever.
Carolina Wren, near Frank Ryan Park, by Arnet Sheppard. This park usually has a breeding pair of this locally uncommon species, and unlike our other wrens, these hardy birds do not migrate.
Greater White-fronted Goose, Anderson Rd, by Aaron Hywarren. These geese are showing the eponymous white stripe between the bill and eyes that makes them easy to differentiate from Pink-footed Goose at a great distance.
Fox Sparrow, by Aaron Hywarren. Significantly larger than our average sparrow. With its size and often skulky habits, it is easier to confuse with a thrush than another species of sparrow.
Common Goldeneye (males), Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Herring Gull, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. The unstreaked white head on an adult is a sign of breeding plumage. We cannot see the pink legs, but the exposed flesh around the eye and bill is pink like the legs, and the red spot on the bill is another marker. The spot is used as a pecking target by juvenile gulls to solicit food from their parents.
Hooded Mergansers, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Female on the left, male on the right. Note the tails held away from the water in a mating ritual.
Hooded Merganser, Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Wood Duck (male), Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Eastern Meadowlark, Prince of Wales Drive, by Aaron Hywarren. If you hear a perfect meadowlark song in early spring, look around you at the habitat. Agricultural land? Probably a meadowlark like this one. Suburban yard or even the urban core? Almost certainly a European starling showing off its incredible mimicry. And that long narrow bill? Perfect for snatching insects in tall grass.
Fox Sparrow, Vars, by Erin Durant.
Snow Goose: 1700 reported at Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell, and 5000 reported from the Lafleche Landfill and surrounding fields, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. May appear anywhere in small numbers.
Ross’s Goose (1) Mar 24-25, Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields, Ottawa. (1) Mar 24, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell.
Greater White-fronted Goose (2) Mar 25, Anderson Road, Ottawa. (2) Mar 23, 25, Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields, Ottawa. (1) Mar 22, Milton Road, Ottawa. (2) Mar 22, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (5) Mar 26, Rideau River Provincial Park, Ottawa. (2) Mar 25, Kinburn Side Road, Ottawa. (2) Mar 25, Cowell Road, Ottawa. (2) Mar 21-25, John Shaw Road, Ottawa. (2) Mar 22, Roger Stevens Drive, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (21), Milton Rd near bridge, Ottawa. (28) Mar 26, Navan-Carlsbad Springs, Ottawa. (2) Mar 23-24, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell. (1) Mar 23-24, Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields, Ottawa. (6) Mar 21, Frontier Rd, Ottawa.
Gadwall (2) Mar 22, Milton Road, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (2) Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa. May appear anywhere from Stanley Park to Hurdman.
Blue-winged Teal (1) Mar 25, Milton Road at Bear Brook, Ottawa. (1) Mar 25, River road N of Hurst Marina, Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Greater Scaup (1) Mar 22, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Black-crowned Night Heron (1) Mar 25, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1-2) Mar 23, 25, Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields, Ottawa. (1) Mar 23-24, Cobb Lake Creek flood plain, Prescott and Russell. (2) Mar 22, Kerwin Rd, Ottawa. (1) Mar 21, 25, Milton Road, Ottawa. (2) Mar 21, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Mar 22, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Mar 27, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Mar 20, Seguinbourg Rd, The Nation CA, Prescott and Russell.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: What do Eastern Screech Owls, American Woodcocks, and Mourning Doves have in common? They are a few of the handful of local species – along with Trumpeter Swans, Ruffed Grouse, and three other types of owls – that breed here in Eastern Ontario in April.
Have you heard or seen these species at this time of year? If so, you can easily join the 250 other Ottawa-area birders who are participating in one of Ontario’s largest community science efforts: the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Your breeding bird observations 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 in this once-in-a-generation 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 20 March 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The Spring migration wild goose chase season opened this week. Distant swans swam the flooded fields. Golden Eagles soared through on their way North, sometimes putting up huge flocks of geese.
Hybrid Mallard x American Black Duck (male), Britannia CA, by Igor Rogi. This is the classic local hybrid of two extremely closely related species, both in the same genus, Anas. These male hybrids look a lot like drake-plumaged female mallards, a plumage that can arise in old females. This can be discounted in this case, because of the all yellow bill, a male-only feature.
Hybrid Mallard x Gadwall(male), Britannia CA, by Igor Rogi. This is a much less common hybrid, but probably at least annual in the region. Mallards and Gadwalls often share habitat, so these things happen, but they are not even in the same genus. The Sibley app (v2) shows many–but not–all possible hybrids. Hybrids are often misreported and rarer ones can lead to much speculation. Of course knowing all the plumages of the regular species makes it easier to spot hybrids and rarities.
Pied-billed Grebe, Britannia CA, by Igor Rogi. Pied-billed Grebes show up as soon as there is open water on ponds. They feed mostly on crustaceans, aquatic insects, and small fish.
Red-tailed Hawk (adult), Carleton University, by Igor Rogi. Igor saw the land in a nearby bush, and fly by him with his prize, an unfortunate chipmunk.
White-winged crossbill, near Pakenham, by Sheila Craig.
Pine Siskin, Jack Pine Trail, by Sheila Craig. The winter finches have mostly skipped our region this winter, but a few of all species have passed through. Listening for unfamiliar bird calls is a good start to finding them.
Common Goldeneye (female, left) and Barrow’s Goldeneye (male, right), Strathcona Park, by Sheila Craig. The unfrozen parts of the Rideau River north of Hudman host a couple of Barrow’s most winters.
Horned Lark (male), Brownlee, by Gillian Wright. The ‘horns’ and strong black mask make this a male.
Horned Lark (male), Brownlee, by Gillian Wright. The almost mechanical chips are usually easier to hear than the birds are to see in the stubble. Even when flushed, they disappear into the scenery on landing.
Common Goldeneye, Petrie Island, by Erin Durant. The male is in full courtship mode, trying to impress the female. The females act like they are ignoring the males and the males are just wasting their time, then suddenly the female comes to a decision and swims off with her chosen male.
Common Goldeneye, Petrie Island, by Erin Durant. The male takes a break from courting to chase off another male.
Ross’s Goose (1) Mar 18, Embrun, Prescott and Russell. (1) Mar 20, RCMP horse farm, near Pakenham, Lanark.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Mar 20, Ch Anderson, Ottawa. (1) Mar 20, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa.
Pink-footed Goose (1) Mar 16-18, Third Line Rd S, Ottawa. Also seen at Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields. Seen on the 15th on Lockhead Rd W, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (3) Mar 20, Carp River southeast of Carp, Ottawa. (1) Mar 19, John Shaw south of Kinburn Side, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (11) Mar 19-20, Milton Rd near bridge, Ottawa. (2) Mar 19-20, Fourth Line Road, Ottawa.
Gadwall (3) Mar 14-15, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Greater Scaup (1) Mar 15, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Mar 19, Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa. (1) Mar 19, Riverain Park, Ottawa. (1) Mar 19, Stanley Park, Ottawa.
Blue-winged Teal (1) Mar 18-19, Third Line Rd S, Ottawa. Also Fourth Line Rd and Callendor Rd flooded fields. (2) Mar 17, Huntley Rd., Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Red-breasted Merganser (1) Mar 17, Cardinal Creek Karst Path, Ottawa.
Horned Grebe (1) Mar 12-15, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Mar 19, Milton Road, Ottawa. (1) Mar 16, 18 Frank Kenny Road (bridge), Ottawa. (4) Mar 15, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa.
(3) Mar 15, Stonecrest Rd, Ottawa. (4) Mar 15, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. (1) Mar 15, Cameron Harvey Drive, Ottawa.
Tree Swallow (3) Mar 19, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Mar 18, Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Mar 18, 3rd Line Road South, Ottawa.
Northern House Wren (1) Mar 18, Quartier de la Terrasse Lakeview, Gatineau.
Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12-Mar 15 (at least), Stonecrest @ Galetta SR, Ottawa. A fair amount of patience or luck may be required.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa. (1) Mar 18, Plover Lane, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Canada Jay (1) Last reported Mar 15, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa.
eBirder reviewer note:
Heard a Nighthawk in March? Think again; American Woodcock have a very similar call and are a frequent early spring pitfall. On a similar note, while the first few Red-shouldered Hawks are trickling in, beware cheap imitations: Blue Jays do a great job at that and are also accomplished mimics of Broad-winged Hawk (which only arrive in our region in mid April).
Atlas notes: The final year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is now underway. As a direct result of the impressive effort of hundreds of volunteers across the province over the past four years, the Third Atlas is already a rich source of information on Ontario’s bird life. Atlassing has been an exciting time of discovery: not only of breeding birds, but of bird behaviour. It has been a great opportunity to explore local patches and beyond. And for many participants, they have embraced the challenge of atlassing as an opportunity to refresh or improve their birding skills including birding-by-ear and the importance of recognizing habitat.
There is still time to join in one of Ontario’s most ambitious and community science efforts here in Eastern Ontario. Though peak breeding season is still a few short months away, the Atlas welcomes all reports of both Crossbill species in suitable habitat at any time of year, and we are already into the breeding season for both Eastern Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls. Common Ravens have also been noted doing their mating rituals. 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 using the Nature Counts app. 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 6 March 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The stars of the winter season — Varied Thrush and Canada Jay — are joined by some precursors of Spring such as the Wilson Snipe.
Varied Thrush (female), Stonecrest, by Ian Somerville. This species has an unsolved mystery – populations wax and wane on a two-year cycle for reasons unknown.
Hermit Thrush, Alta Vista, by Gillian Wright. Gillian observed the bird return to the feeder multitimes, but all on one day never to be seen again. An early migrant who overshot? Hermit Thrushes prefer insects and fruit, but will take seeds (naturally from plant sources, or from feeders) in winter.
Red-headed Woodpecker (adult), Constance Bay, by Scott Haldane. Unlike all other species of local woodpeckers, Red-headed Woodpeckers cannot be sexed by the amount or location of red feathers.
Canada Jay, Mer Bleue, by Aaron Hywarren. Canada Jays tend to keep one helper young (to help raise the following year’s nest) for a year so if two young successfully fledge, one bird will disperse. This is presumably a first year dispersed bird.
American Tree Sparrow, Dolman Ridge Rd, by Sanam Goudarzi. With warm weather on the way, the Tree Sparrows will soon be replaced by the superficially similar (but much smaller) Chipping Sparrows.
Blue Jay, Dolman Ridge Rd, by Sanam Goudarzi.
Common Goldeneye (adult male), Britannia CA, by Sanam Goudarzi.
Northern Cardinal (adult male), Britannia CA, by Sanam Goudarzi.
Hairy Woodpecker (adult male), Hurdman Woods, by Gillian Wright. As long as that tongue seems, it is only slightly extended here.
Pileated Woodpecker (female), Mer Bleu, by Gillian Wright. Note the nictitating membrane (like a second eyelid) that slides over the eye before impact for protection from flying debris. The black mustache stripe and dark forehead reveal that this bird is female.
Red-headed Woodpecker (adult), Constance bay, by Scott Haldane. Woodpeckers use their stiff tails almost like an additional limb to hold themselves in place and away from the bark. This shot demonstrates just how flexible and useful the tail can be to the bird for controlling its position.
Varied Thrush (female), Stonecrest, by Ian Somerville. The long back toe is common to many ground-feeding birds.
Trumpeter Swan (6) Mar 01-02, Burritt’s Rapids dam, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (1) Mar 05, Richmond – town, Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Gadwall (2) Mar 05, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Lesser Scaup (1) Mar 06, Maple Hill Park, Ottawa. (1) Manotick—L.I. Barnsdale rd, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Snipe (1) Mar 01-06, The Arboretum, Ottawa. Hanging in a stretch of open creek below the toboggan hill.
Golden Eagle (1) Mar 03, West end of Dunrobin road, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau. (1) Mar 03, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. (1) Feb 28, Pleasant Park Woods, Ottawa.
Canada Jay (1), Feb 22 until at least Mar 04, Ridge Road. Some people are seeing it from the Mer Bleue Bog parking or near-by trails.
Hermit Thrush (1) Mar 04, Alta Vista, Ottawa. (1) Mar 03, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Mar 03, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12-Mar 06 (at least), Stonecrest @ Galetta SR, Ottawa. Use your car as a blind and do not exit the car as it will fly away. Feeding on Juniper berries and blueberries.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Mar 05, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee (1) Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Atlas notes: There is still time to contribute to one of Ontario’s largest community science efforts: the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
Have you encountered an Eastern Screech Owl in a tree-hollow, heard Great Horned Owls hooting early in the morning, or enjoyed a pair of Common Ravens dancing in the sky? At this time of year here in Eastern Ontario, these species have all started breeding, and resident Mourning Doves, Northern Saw-whet Owls, Barred Owls and Trumpeter Swans will follow suit in a few short weeks.
Your reports of these species are valuable to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas 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 in this once-in-a-generation 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 February 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A short list this week, but with the long-staying Varied Thrush and a new Canada Jay, who can complain?
Common Goldeneye (adult male), Britannia CA, by Alan Short.
Cooper’s Hawk (adult), Britannia CA, by Alan Short. Alan watched the hawk perch watching the ducks for an hour. This is common behaviour for this bird. Breeding adult by the deep red eye.
Common Merganser (adult male), Britannia CA, by Alan Short.
Northern Cardinal (adult male), Britannia CA, by Alan Short. Looks a little like an inflated balloon, and indeed, the bird is holding extra air between its feathers and skin for insulation.
Varied Thrush (female), Stonecrest, by Sheila Craig.
Wild Turkey (adult male), Britannia CA, by Sheila Craig. It would be anthropomorphizing to say that adult male turkeys are jerks. It might be more scientifically proper to say that adult males in the breeding season are often aggressive and territorial to other male turkeys and other species of any gender, and can draw blood from, or tear up nice winter jackets of, innocent birders.
American Robin (adult), Britannia CA, by Sheila Craig. When was the last time you really looked at this colorful thrush? The broken white eye-ring, the striped throat, the black and white feather tips of the undertail? Perhaps a common yard bird, but a darn fancy thrush.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye. Bate’s Island surrounding vantage points on the river. Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
(1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) James Bell Dr., Ottawa. (1) Feb 15, Hexham Rd, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau.
Canada Jay (1), Feb 22 until at least Feb 26, Ridge Road. Some people are seeing it from the Mer Bleue Bog parking lot or near-by trails. Given the rough trails and depth of snow, a scope may be helpful.
Hermit Thrush (1) Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Britannia CA–Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12-16 (at least), Stonecrest @ Galetta SR, Ottawa. Advice from those who have seen it: ‘Use your car as a blind and do not exit the car as it will fly away. Feeding on Juniper berries.’
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee (1) Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau. (1) Fine Estate Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 20 February 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The Varied Thrush continues … to play hide and seek with birders. The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) flushed out many unreported White-throated Sparrows, Flickers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, etc. The Great Gray and Boreal Owl irruption continues with new individuals of each species this week.
Merlin, Magladry Rd, by TJ Way. When still, this beautiful little predator could easily be confused with a juvenile sharpie or coop. The falcon bill tip and the dark eye give it away. Juv sharpies and coops have bright yellow eyes and relatively longer tails.
Varied Thrush, Stonecrest, by Arlene Harrold. The Varied Thrush continues to act thrush-like, skulky, low and always with a branch to hide behind. It will probably stick around in the area for the winter, but is running out of juniper berries at that location so may not be easy to spot at that specific field.
American Crow, Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Common Goldeneye, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Unlike the semi-tame Mud Lake Mallards, Goldeneye like to keep a bigger distance from humans. They panicked at the sight of Alan. Note the two brown-headed birds were hatched last year and are turning into adult males, while the two green-headed ones are fully adult males.
Common Goldeneye, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Goldeneye will spend long stretches flying to the upper end of open water, diving for food, letting the flow carry them to the end of the feeding area before flying upriver again, and repeating over and over.
House Finch, Pinecrest Creek, by Derek Dunnett. Why do we occasionally see yellow or orange House Finches instead of the usual orange-red of the bird on the right? It has nothing to do with age, sex or subspecies. Yellow, red and orange pigments (or their components) tend to come from the birds’ diet. The orange bird on the left favored berries lacking some chemical while it was molting into its current plumage. Perhaps a shiny ornamental plant in someone’s garden was the source.
Gadwall (1) Feb 20, McNeely Avenue, Carleton Place, Lanark.
Barrow’s Goldeneye. Bate’s Island and surrounding vantage points on the river.
Great Blue Heron (1) Feb 15, Last Mile Rd drainage pond, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Feb 15, March rd/Eagleson rd, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier (1) Lockhead Road, Ottawa. (1) Feb 17, Carp–Hidden Lake Trail, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
(1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) James Bell Dr., Ottawa. (1) Feb 15, Hexham Rd, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Falcon brook rd., Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau. (1) Feb 14, Stonecrest Rd, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Feb 08, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa
Gray Catbird (1) Feb 09, Hurdman Wood, Ottawa. (1) Arlington Woods, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Feb 09, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Feb 07, Parc Queen, Gatineau. (1) Feb 18, Extrémité Ch. de l’Hôtel de Ville, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Feb 16, Tara Dr, Ottawa.
Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12-19 (at least), Stonecrest @ Galetta SR, Ottawa. Advice from those who have seen it: ‘Use your car as a blind and do not exit the car as it will fly away. Feeding on Juniper berries.’ Patience and low expectations may help.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
White-throated Sparrow – Still rare, but too many reports to list this week thanks to the GBBC.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Feb 15, 6 Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee (1) Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Brown-headed Cowbird (1) Feb 17, Sixth Line Road, Dunrobin, Baker’s Acres, Ottawa. (1) Feb 16, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (2) Feb 15, Castor Rd, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: The final year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is now underway. As a direct result of the impressive effort of hundreds of volunteers across the province over the past four years, the Third Atlas is already a rich source of information on Ontario’s bird life. Atlassing has been an exciting time of discovery: not only of breeding birds, but of bird behaviour. It has been a great opportunity to explore local patches and beyond. And for many participants, they have embraced the challenge of atlassing as an opportunity to refresh or improve their birding skills including birding-by-ear and the importance of recognizing habitat.
There is still time to join in one of Ontario’s most ambitious and community science efforts here in Eastern Ontario. Though peak breeding season is still a few short months away, the Atlas welcomes all reports of both Crossbill species in suitable habitat at any time of year, and we are already into the breeding season for both Eastern Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls. Common Ravens have also been noted doing their mating rituals. 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 using the Nature Counts app. 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 February 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A short list this week, but with the long-staying Varied Thrush and a new Canada Jay, who can complain?
Common Goldeneye (adult male), Britannia CA, by Alan Short.
Cooper’s Hawk (adult), Britannia CA, by Alan Short. Alan watched the hawk perch watching the ducks for an hour. This is common behaviour for this bird. Breeding adult by the deep red eye.
Common Merganser (adult male), Britannia CA, by Alan Short.
Northern Cardinal (adult male), Britannia CA, by Alan Short. Looks a little like an inflated balloon, and indeed, the bird is holding extra air between its feathers and skin for insulation.
Varied Thrush (female), Stonecrest, by Sheila Craig.
Wild Turkey (adult male), Britannia CA, by Sheila Craig. It would be anthropomorphizing to say that adult male turkeys are jerks. It might be more scientifically proper to say that adult males in the breeding season are often aggressive and territorial to other male turkeys and other species of any gender, and can draw blood from, or tear up nice winter jackets of, innocent birders.
American Robin (adult), Britannia CA, by Sheila Craig. When was the last time you really looked at this colorful thrush? The broken white eye-ring, the striped throat, the black and white feather tips of the undertail? Perhaps a common yard bird, but a darn fancy thrush.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye. Bate’s Island surrounding vantage points on the river. Adàwe Crossing, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
(1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) James Bell Dr., Ottawa. (1) Feb 15, Hexham Rd, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau.
Canada Jay (1), Feb 22 until at least Feb 26, Ridge Road. Some people are seeing it from the Mer Bleue Bog parking lot or near-by trails. Given the rough trails and depth of snow, a scope may be helpful.
Hermit Thrush (1) Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Britannia CA–Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12-16 (at least), Stonecrest @ Galetta SR, Ottawa. Advice from those who have seen it: ‘Use your car as a blind and do not exit the car as it will fly away. Feeding on Juniper berries.’
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee (1) Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau. (1) Fine Estate Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 20 February 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The Varied Thrush continues … to play hide and seek with birders. The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) flushed out many unreported White-throated Sparrows, Flickers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, etc. The Great Gray and Boreal Owl irruption continues with new individuals of each species this week.
Merlin, Magladry Rd, by TJ Way. When still, this beautiful little predator could easily be confused with a juvenile sharpie or coop. The falcon bill tip and the dark eye give it away. Juv sharpies and coops have bright yellow eyes and relatively longer tails.
Varied Thrush, Stonecrest, by Arlene Harrold. The Varied Thrush continues to act thrush-like, skulky, low and always with a branch to hide behind. It will probably stick around in the area for the winter, but is running out of juniper berries at that location so may not be easy to spot at that specific field.
American Crow, Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Common Goldeneye, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Unlike the semi-tame Mud Lake Mallards, Goldeneye like to keep a bigger distance from humans. They panicked at the sight of Alan. Note the two brown-headed birds were hatched last year and are turning into adult males, while the two green-headed ones are fully adult males.
Common Goldeneye, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Goldeneye will spend long stretches flying to the upper end of open water, diving for food, letting the flow carry them to the end of the feeding area before flying upriver again, and repeating over and over.
House Finch, Pinecrest Creek, by Derek Dunnett. Why do we occasionally see yellow or orange House Finches instead of the usual orange-red of the bird on the right? It has nothing to do with age, sex or subspecies. Yellow, red and orange pigments (or their components) tend to come from the birds’ diet. The orange bird on the left favored berries lacking some chemical while it was molting into its current plumage. Perhaps a shiny ornamental plant in someone’s garden was the source.
Gadwall (1) Feb 20, McNeely Avenue, Carleton Place, Lanark.
Barrow’s Goldeneye. Bate’s Island and surrounding vantage points on the river.
Great Blue Heron (1) Feb 15, Last Mile Rd drainage pond, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Feb 15, March rd/Eagleson rd, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier (1) Lockhead Road, Ottawa. (1) Feb 17, Carp–Hidden Lake Trail, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
(1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) James Bell Dr., Ottawa. (1) Feb 15, Hexham Rd, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Falcon brook rd., Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau. (1) Feb 14, Stonecrest Rd, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Feb 08, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa
Gray Catbird (1) Feb 09, Hurdman Wood, Ottawa. (1) Arlington Woods, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Feb 09, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Feb 07, Parc Queen, Gatineau. (1) Feb 18, Extrémité Ch. de l’Hôtel de Ville, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Feb 16, Tara Dr, Ottawa.
Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12-19 (at least), Stonecrest @ Galetta SR, Ottawa. Advice from those who have seen it: ‘Use your car as a blind and do not exit the car as it will fly away. Feeding on Juniper berries.’ Patience and low expectations may help.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
White-throated Sparrow – Still rare, but too many reports to list this week thanks to the GBBC.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Feb 15, 6 Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee (1) Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Brown-headed Cowbird (1) Feb 17, Sixth Line Road, Dunrobin, Baker’s Acres, Ottawa. (1) Feb 16, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (2) Feb 15, Castor Rd, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: The final year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is now underway. As a direct result of the impressive effort of hundreds of volunteers across the province over the past four years, the Third Atlas is already a rich source of information on Ontario’s bird life. Atlassing has been an exciting time of discovery: not only of breeding birds, but of bird behaviour. It has been a great opportunity to explore local patches and beyond. And for many participants, they have embraced the challenge of atlassing as an opportunity to refresh or improve their birding skills including birding-by-ear and the importance of recognizing habitat.
There is still time to join in one of Ontario’s most ambitious and community science efforts here in Eastern Ontario. Though peak breeding season is still a few short months away, the Atlas welcomes all reports of both Crossbill species in suitable habitat at any time of year, and we are already into the breeding season for both Eastern Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls. Common Ravens have also been noted doing their mating rituals. 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 using the Nature Counts app. 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 February 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A varied thrush injected some color into the whitest part of winter.
Varied Thrush (female), Galetta, by Jeff Skevington. Those who remember the striking image of a Varied Thrush in the intro to Twin Peaks, filmed in the Pacific Northwest, know how far this bird is out of range. Its breeding range barely sneaks into Alberta. But thrushes are strong flyers and frequent vagrants.
Carolina Wren, Stittsville, by Linda Halberstadt. We are at the northern edge of their range, and with all the recent mild winters, they have been expanding in recent years. Linda says this was the first time one showed up in her backyard. Community science efforts such as project FeederWatch and the Great Backyard Bird Count lead to many discoveries like this bird.
Northern Pintail (female), Mud Lake, by Edith St-Martin. A brown duck could easily recede into the background in a large flock of Mallards, but a second look reveals the blue bill, and the gorgeous patterns on the side and back. Another clue, not obvious in this shot, is a longer neck than the Mallards.
Common Merganser (male), Ottawa river near Mud Lake, by Alan Short. This species is well-adapted for our weather, and was casually resting on the ice when Alan arrived.
Rock Pigeons, near Ryan and Placid St, by Alan Short. Birds in their native range (Eurasia, North Africa) tend to be blue-gray. North America birds are all descended from domestic animals and show more variation in plumage. In this picture we see a melanistic bird (dark, second from left), and at least four birds showing a range of white feathers. Spend some time in downtown Ottawa – especially outside with a sandwich – and more colours will reveal themselves.
Mallard (male), Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Flying in to join the others.
Cooper’s Hawk, near Ryan and Placid St, by Alan Short. Overlooking bird feeders, the deep red of the eye says this is a breeding age adult more clearly than the plumage.
Downy Woodpecker (adult male), Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Leaping from a branch. Even with no other birds for a size comparison, the relatively short bill makes for an easy ID.
Northern Shoveler (1) Feb 09, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Great Blue Heron (1) Feb 09, Walkley Rd near 417, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Feb 09, Kizell Pond, Ottawa. (1) Feb 08, March Valley Rd, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Feb 07, Concession Rd 7B, Mississippi Mills, Lanark.
Northern Harrier (1) Feb 09, Lockhead Road, Ottawa
Red-shouldered Hawk (1) Feb 12, Roger Stevens Dr, Montague, Lanark. Just barely outside the circle.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Feb 08, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Feb 10, Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Feb 09, Ritchie Ave, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa
Winter Wren (1) Feb 08, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Feb 09, Hurdman Wood, Ottawa. (1) Arlington Woods, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Feb 09, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Feb 07, Parc Queen, Gatineau.
Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12, Stonecrest @ Galetta SR, Ottawa. Advice from those who have seen it: ‘Use your car as a blind and do not exit the car as it will fly away. Feeding on Juniper berries.’
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
White-throated Sparrow (1) Feb 13, Foxview Pl, Ottawa. (1) Feb 12, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa.
(1) Feb 12, Carleton University, Ottawa.
Swamp Sparrow (1) Feb 12, Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee (1) Feb 02, Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Red-winged Blackbird (3) Feb 06, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Gardens Corridor, Ottawa. (1) Feb 08, Arlington Woods, Ottawa. (1) Feb 02, Beaujolais Crescent, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 6 February 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The cold weather and sparse reports might encourage complacency. Or maybe it’s an invitation to try an overlooked greenspace to uncover something really cool and unreported.
American Black Duck, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Male from the golden bill with no dark patch on top.
Common Goldeneye, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. Males from the fancy green heads.The iridescent green color in the head feathers is structural, the black on the back and in the wings is colored by pigment, and the white feathers lack pigment, showing three different methods of color display on the feathers of a single bird.
American Robins, Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Common Goldeneye, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. A couple of the more subtly colored females in evidence. If you walk along the river’s edge this time of year, you may witness the males throwing back their heads and singing for the females.
Northern Shoveler, Nepean Creek Trail, by Andrei Grushman. This bird has been described variously on eBird. As the winter goes on and the bird matures, the answer becomes clear. Andrei points out it is “male (black bill, yellow eyes, green speculum, some chestnut on the side, dark head with a tinge of green) and it appears to be immature because of the dull brown plumage.” Why do we care if birds are female or male? Females and males of various species spend the non-breeding (or even the chick-raising season for many ducks) apart, and may over-winter in different habitats or even countries. Knowing what areas are important to an entire species is critical for conservation.
White-crowned Sparrow, Greenbank Pond, by Chris Van Norman. Immature White-crowns can be easy to overlook without the eponymous white crown.
White-winged crossbill, Masham, by Tony Beck. The pink bird in front is an adult male. Normally frustrating to photograph in their tree-top habitat, sometimes they oblige us by descending to the road to pick up grit for their gizzards or salt for their diet.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Great Blue Heron (1)Feb 02, Last Mile Rd drainage pond, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Feb 02,Stittsville–Hickstead Storm Pond, Ottawa.
Northern Harrier (1) Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Feb 03, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Feb 05, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier Gamelin, Gatineau. (1) Feb 04, Lac McGregor, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Northern Flicker (1) Stonecrest Rd, Ottawa. (1) Spruce Ridge Rd, Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau, Quebec.
Gray Catbird (1) Arlington Woods, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Pine Grosbeak (1) Feb 04, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Feb 01, Britannia CA, Ottawa. (1) Feb 01, Parc Queen, Gatineau.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. (1) Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Swamp Sparrow (1) Feb 01, Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee (1) Feb 02, Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Red-winged Blackbird (3) Feb 06, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Gardens Corridor, Ottawa. (1) Feb 05, Arlington Woods, Ottawa. (1) Feb 02, Beaujolais Crescent, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 30 January 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Almost identical report to last week. Go find that undiscovered rare bird. Or check out somewhere you don’t normally bird.
Merlin, Mer Bleue, Scott Haldane. Merlins may start their hunts from perches, but also employ a very low flight for a hidden high speed approach to flush shorebirds in particular. Watching the mud flats at Andrew Hayden when there are shorebirds, you can see the Merlins use this approach over and over.
Merlin, Mer Bleue, Scott Haldane.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Dewberry, Gillian Wright. Gillain observed the Sharpie take the Jay right beside her and land with it on the trail in front of her.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Dewberry, Gillian Wright. The wings spread over the prey is not an accident. Called mantling, this behaviour may serve to hide the prey item from competitors. This technique is used by hawks, owls, even eagles.
Belted Kingfisher, Stittsville, Gillian Wright. Does that branch look familiar? The bird is using the same perch and more or less the same position weeks after the last photo submitted of it. It must be the best option for perching between dives.
Swamp Sparrow, Chipmunk Trail, Chris Van Norman.
Swamp Sparrow, Chipmunk Trail, Chris Van Norman. Look at that puff ball! Maximizing the air trapped between the feathers for maximum insulation.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa (immature male).
Northern Harrier (1) Akins Rd, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Stittsville–Hickstead Storm Pond, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Chemin Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
(1) Jan 23, Chemin Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Spruce Ridge Rd, Ottawa. (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Boreal Chickadee (1) Jan 23, Old Almonte Rd, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Bel Air fields, Ottawa, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Bruce Pit, Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA, Ottawa.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Swamp Sparrow (1) Jan 27, Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee (1) Jan 30, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 23 January 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
An elusive Boreal chickadee and a tough Eastern Phoebe.
Swamp Sparrow, Beaver Trail, by Connie ten Bruggenkate. 99.9 percent of the population are South of the border for the winter. There are always a few stragglers, and sometimes they survive the winter and become the first to claim spring territories. Whether or not they can defend that claim against healthy migrants is another matter.
Brown Creeper, Fletcher, by Gillian Wright. Well camouflaged and often silent, the creeper is hard to spot. But they have a distinctive behaviour. They hunt climbing up the trunk, then flying directly to the bottom of the next tree. This pattern repeats and is distinctive enough for id. They also have a really high-pitched short call that not everyone can hear.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Fletcher, by Gillian Wright.
Rough-legged Hawk, Earl Armstrong rd., by Alan Short. Alan observed the hawk riding thermals over the asphalt.
Common Goldeneye, Britannia, by Alan Short. Ever notice how the tails of diving ducks like this goldeneye differ from dabblers such as the Mallard?
House Sparrow, Cline Park, by Alan Short. Not native to North America, House Sparrows followed humans to almost everywhere we live (or once lived). Once very common, changes in agriculture and transportation have reduced their numbers everywhere. They persist in cities thanks to humans dropping grain products everywhere and leaving nest cavities throughout our city architecture. The next time you seek out flat-packed european furniture, check out how many live in the spray insulation of the car park.
House Finch, Fletcher, by Alan Short. Native to North America, their once small range was greatly enlarged when a flock was released in New York City, and they spread rapidly throughout the northeast.
House Finch, Fletcher, by Alan Short.
House Finch, Fletcher, by Alan Short. Feeders are great places to study our overwintering birds. Learning the call notes and behaviours of common local birds will make it easier to notice out-of-place birds at a later date. And it is fun.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa (immature male).
Red-breasted Merganser (1) Jan 18, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa
Great Blue Heron (1) Jan 22, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa.
Northern Harrier (1) Jan 18, 417 at Ramsyville, Ottawa. (1) Jan 17, Fernbank Road at Terry Fox, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Stittsville–Hickstead Storm Pond, Ottawa. (1) Jan 17, Richmond (Jock River), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Chemin Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Jan 19, Mohrs Rd, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Falcon Brook Rd, Ottawa. (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Jan 18, Forêt Boucher, Gatineau,
Eastern Phoebe (1) Jan 17, Carleton University, Ottawa
Boreal Chickadee (1) Jan 23, Old Almonte Rd, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Bel Air fields, Ottawa, Ottawa. (1) Jan 17, Hurdman Wood, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Jan 19, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Britannia CA, Ottawa. (1) Jan 22, Piste cyc. Sentier des Voyageurs–Parc Brébeuf<–>Pont Champlain, Gatineau. (1) Jan 19, Greenbelt Pathway East, Ottawa
Pine Grosbeak (1) Jan 18, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird (2) Jan 21, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Gardens Corridor, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: New Year, New Birding Goals!
Kick off 2025 by making a difference for bird conservation with our January Challenge! Whether you’ve got a backlog of Atlas data to submit or have been collecting bird data via eBird or other sources but haven’t registered or submitted it yet, this challenge is for YOU!
How It Works: During January, simply submit any checklist (old or new) with breeding evidence and you’ll earn entries into a draw for a pair of Vortex binoculars!
Whether you’re catching up on old data or new to the Atlas and migrating your checklists from eBird or other records, your contributions help shape our understanding of bird populations. And of course, you’ll have a chance to win an exciting prize along the way!
Your data are crucial! We can’t wait to see all that you’ve observed. Don’t wait—this is your last chance to participate before the final field season of Atlas-3!
For more information on how to register and/or submit data, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/quick-start/
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 16 January 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
OFNC policy prevents reporting of individual owls. But the Great Gray Owl and Boreal Owl irruptions have reached the OFNC Circle, and there has never been a better time for a walk in the woods or a slow cruise down a rural road with one eye on the tree line.
Rough-legged Hawk (adult female light-morph), Earl Armstrong Road near Findlay Creek, by Dani-Elle Dubé. Roughies breed in the arctic so we only have them for the winters. They can hover facing the wind as they search for prey, the behaviour that Dani-Elle captured here. This is a nice adaptation for a bird of open areas where perches can be hard to come by.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (adult male), Jack Pine, by Scott Haldane. Scott observed the red-bellied fly in and displace the male Hairy Woodpecker. The bird and the various hairies have been playing a game of dominance for months at this location. The red-bellied usually comes out on top.
Snow Bunting, Akins Road, by Scott Haldane. Another arctic breeder, only here for our warm and easy winters. The living is easy with agricultural leftovers just laying around.
Snow Bunting, Akins Road, by Scott Haldane. Large flocks gather in the agricultural areas south of Ottawa. A fun game is to look for darker birds in the large flocks – the easiest way to find Lapland Longspurs in our region. This flock seems longspur-free.
Belted Kingfisher, Hickstead Storm Pond, by Sheila Craig. Kingfishers are tough, and can survive as long as they have open water and fish. Males in particular may try to over winter near good territories for an advantage next spring.
White-throated Sparrow, Jack Pine, by Catherine Lawerence.
Northern Flicker (adult male), Fletcher, by Catherine Lawerence.
Snow Buntings, Fallowfield, by Dahlia Ippolito. Why is the buntings winter plumage black, white and brown? Dahlia’s photo demonstrates nicely how well those colors complement their winter habitats. Still no longspurs visible!
Hairy woodpecker (adult male), Beaver Trail, by Dahlia Ippolito. How to tell which species with any size info? The long length of the bill! A downy’s bill is shorter in relation to the head.
Pileated Woodpecker, Mud Lake, by Alan Short. A cute scene or impending conflict? Squirrels don’t always wait for woodpeckers to abandon roost holes before moving in.
American Black Ducks, Britannia Filtration, by Alan Short.
Cooper’s Hawk, Mud Lake, by Alan Short.
Common Merganser (female), Britannia Filtration, by Alan Short. Fishing along the edge of the ice shelf.
Common Goldeneye (adult male), Britannia, by Alan Short.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. (1) Jan 12, Etang Grimes, Gatineau.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Jan 14, Stittsville–Hickstead Storm Pond, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. Queenscourt Cres, Ottawa. (1) Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Chemin Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Jan 10, Ravine Park-Bilberry Creek, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Jan 15, Iris & Pathway, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Torbolton Forest, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. Deerlane Avenue, Ottawa.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Jan 15, Richland Dr, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird (8) Jan 13, Milton Road, Ottawa.
Rusty Blackbird (1) Jan 13, Milton Road, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 9 January 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Golden-crowned Kinglets, Larose Forest, by Aaron Hywarren. Very tiny, but very tough, Golden-crowns can handle -40C, and come in hot to predator calls, ready for a fight. Many insectivores handle winter by switching to eating fruit, but this species has learned to forage for over-wintering micro-moths hidden among conifer needles. In January, they are most likely to be found in conifer forests such as Larose and Marlborough.
White-winged Crossbills (female on the left), Larose Forest, by Aaron Hywarren. Unlike most Ontario breeders–which follow a seasonal pattern – crossbills breed when and where they find enough food. So records of either crossbill species is welcomed at this time of year in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
Evening Grosbeaks (female on the right), Larose Forest, by Aaron Hywarren. As shown here, the Larose Christmas Bird Count uncovers many forest species that can be otherwise hard to find in the region.
Common Merganser (female), Britannia Point, by Alan Short.
Northern Cardinal & House Finch (males), Fletcher Wildlife Garden, by Alan Short. Both Cardinals and House Finches use red for sexual selection. But birds have more types of color receptors in their eyes than humans, and while these reds might seem similar to some of us, they probably appear vastly different to the birds.
Cooper’s Hawk, Britannia Ridge, by Alan Short.
A murder of Crows (American Crows), Trail Road Landfill, by Alan Short. The landfill can offer up large numbers of birds, interesting species (especially gulls), and rarities. Best to stand upwind, and outside the fence.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, by Mike Traub. How does an otherwise svelte woodpecker puff up like a softball on a cold day? Birds have special muscles just under their skin to move feather tracts or in some cases, individual feathers. That’s how the kinglet raises its hidden crest, and how this bird is puffing up to hold extra air against its skin for insulation.
Hermit Thrush, Whitehaven, by Arnet Sheppard.
Carolina Wrens, Honey Gables (Riverside South), by David Enstrom. This species has had a couple of good winters, and there seem to be many around this year. Unlike our other wrens, Carolinas are non-migratory.
Northern Flicker (male), Honey Gables (Riverside South), by David Enstrom.
House Finch (female), Fletcher Wildlife Garden, by Alan short.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Jan 03, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. (1) Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Great Blue Heron (1) Jan 05, Route du Carrefour, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Northern Harrier (2) Jan 08, Lockhead Road West, Ottawa
Belted Kingfisher (1) Jan 03, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. Despite its silence, the Jack Pine bird is probably the most gettable, since it hangs out around the parking lot and the old feeder area much of the time. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau. (1) Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. (1) Trail Side Circle, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Baltimore Oriole (1) Jan 03, Heron-Walkley Park, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Britannia CA (ridge), Ottawa. (1) Jan 06, Beacon Hill North-general area, Ottawa. (1) Pinecrest Creek/George C. Brown Park, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Deerlane Avenue, Ottawa. (1) Rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Red-winged Blackbird (1) Jan 03, Pleasant Park Community Gardens, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: New Year, New Birding Goals!
Kick off 2025 by making a difference for bird conservation with our January Challenge! Whether you’ve got a backlog of Atlas data to submit or have been collecting bird data via eBird or other sources but haven’t registered or submitted it yet, this challenge is for YOU!
How It Works: During January, simply submit any checklist (old or new) with breeding evidence and you’ll earn entries into a draw for a pair of Vortex binoculars!
Whether you’re catching up on old data or new to the Atlas and migrating your checklists from eBird or other records, your contributions help shape our understanding of bird populations. And of course, you’ll have a chance to win an exciting prize along the way!
Your data are crucial! We can’t wait to see all that you’ve observed. Don’t wait—this is your last chance to participate before the final field season of Atlas-3!
For more information on how to register and/or submit data, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/quick-start/
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 2 January 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Happy new year! It’s that time again: blank year lists full of potential and full needs lists.
Common Merganser, Ottawa River at Britannia, Alan Short. Nice female-male comparison.
Common Merganser, Ottawa River at Britannia, Alan Short. Coming in for a landing. Sit and watch the ducks for a day, and discover each species has their own takeoff and landing methods, some incredibly graceful, and others that look like intentional crash landings.
Wood Duck, Mud Lake, Alan Short.
Wild Turkey, Mud Lake, Alan Short. The flock starts 2025 at least 20 strong.
Herring Gull, Mud Lake, Alan Short. Although there are several species of gull in the region for the winter, over 90% of all gulls seen will be Herring Gull.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Britannia, Brian Morin. There are a few Red-bellied in the region this winter. The one at Britannia and the one at Jack Pine are fairly easy to see (with lots of patience). Getting a great shot like this however takes patience, luck and skill.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Britannia, Brian Morin.
Wood Duck, Britannia, Brian Morin. This individual did not migrate and became very comfortable around people, to the point when people had to step around the drake.
Cooper’s Hawk, Mud lake, Scott Haldane. Adult plumage.
Cooper’s Hawk, Mud lake, Scott Haldane. But the orange eye has not transitioned all the way from yellow to the red of an older adult.
Wood Duck, Britannia, Derek Dunnett. Perhaps too comfortable, as it seems to have been eaten by a raptor. Nothing left but a couple of half wings and a few feathers. Are photos 10 and 11 related? Wood Duck is on the large end for Coops, but not impossible, and the Mud Lake Coops do strafe the ducks occasionally.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Jan 02, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Wood Duck (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (2) Dec 28, Burritts Avenue, Merrickville, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Rideau River between Strathcona Park and Billing’s Bridge.
Red-breasted Merganser (1) Jan 02, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Dec 28, Galetta townsite, Ottawa.
Common Loon (1) Jan 01, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (5) Dec 30, Johanna Street, Mississippi Mills, Lanark.
Great Blue Heron (1) Jan 01, Regimbald rd., Ottawa.
Northern Harrier (1) Dec 28, Akins, Brownlee, Rushmore and Eagleson, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Dec 29, Klondike Rd, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Dec 28, Cowell ROAD And South MALAKOFF CBC ROUTE, Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Dec 27, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Northern Flicker (1) Jan 02, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Jan 02, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau. (1)Jan 01, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Jan 01, Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa.
Baltimore Oriole (1) Heron-Walkley Park, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird (1) Dec 26, Woodgate Way, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Jan 02, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Jan 02, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Jan 02, Navaho Park, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Dec 31, Montée Papineau, Plaisance, Papineau.
Eastern Towhee (1) Dec 30, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Red-winged Blackbird (2) Pleasant Park-Kilborn Gardens Corridor, Ottawa.
Brown-headed Cowbird (2) Jan 01, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Common Grackle (1) Dec 29, Carp–Hidden Lake Trail, Ottawa.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1) Dec 28, Galetta townsite, Ottawa.
Dickcissel (1) Dec 26, Galetta Town site, Ottawa.