Bird sightings 2025

Ottawa and area bird sightings to 27 February 2025

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.

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!

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!

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.