The OFNC maintained 4 winter feeding stations in 2023-24.  Three of these feeders are on NCC property and authorized by LAP 25743.  The fourth feeder is at the Museum of Nature in Gatineau.

A pole mounted feeder is located at the Dewberry Trail near P23 on Dolman Ridge.  Suspended feeders are located at the Pine Grove Trail near P18 and another on NCC Trail 28 near the former Wild Bird Care Center.

Downy Woodpecker at Stony Swamp Feeder by David Lam

The feeders were erected during the warmer weather in November, but filling did not commence until December 1.  Feeders were no longer filled after March 31.  The winter was unusual and set a number of records for high temperatures and lack of snow.

Based on high counts reported to eBird, the most visited feeder was the one on Dewberry Trail.

Unlike the 2022-23 season, fewer individuals of the usual winter species were present this winter.  The irruption of Evening Grosbeaks during the previous season, was but a memory.  Redpolls and Pine Siskins were notable by their relative absence.

A temporary feeding station was set up by members of OFO and OFNC in the McCarthy Woods to provide support to the first ever Western Tanager reported in Ottawa.  Thanks to the mild winter and the contributions of seed from many in the birding community helped this individual through the season.  The OFNC Birds Committee contributed seed to support the effort.  This arrangement made it possible for many to view the bird while also respecting the residents in the area.  Sadly the bird met an untimely end with a window strike.

A total of 40 species of wintering birds were reported.  The most abundant were Bohemian Waxwings (300 on February 22) and American Tree Sparrows (60 on February 3).  A Pine Warbler was an early arrival.  Gillian Wright captured the image complete with an OFNC sign.

Thank you to those who donated to the Wild Bird Seed fund and to Wild Birds Unlimited for their contributions.  A big thank you to Linda Noel, Nancy Shurtleff and Louis L’Arriveé who volunteered to fill these feeders.  I must add a shout out to Jean Sunter who monitored the Stony Swamp feeder on her frequent walks.

 

An Illustrative List of Bird Species reported at the OFNC Feeders

December 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024

Merlin                                                 White-breasted Nuthatch

Bohemian Waxwing                         Dark-eyed Junco

Coopers Hawk                                    Turkey Vulture (FY)

Blue Jay                                               Pileated Woodpecker

American Robin                                 White-throated Sparrow

Rusty Blackbird                                  Ruffed Grouse

Downy Woodpecker                           Wild Turkey

Brown Creeper                                    Northern Shrike

Northern Cardinal                              Sharp-shinned Hawk

American Crow                                   Mourning Dove

Rock Pigeon                                         Black-capped Chickadee

Herring Gull (FY)                               Red-winged Blackbird

Pine Warbler                                       Hairy Woodpecker

Golden Eagle (FY)                               Red-breasted Nuthatch

Barred Owl                                          Song Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow                     European Starling

Canada Goose (FY)                              Common Redpoll

Common Raven                                   Purple Finch

American Goldfinch                            Golden-crowned Kinglet

Common Grackle                                Bald Eagle (FY)

 

* FY = Flyover