Severe Defoliation of American Elm by the invasive insect Elm Zigzag Sawfly (EZS)

by Owen Clarkin, OFNC Vice-President & Chair, Conservation Committee The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club has been tracking Elm Zigzag Sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) since its recent (2020) detection in North America near Montreal.  This includes making the first observations of EZS in Ontario (2020), the city of Ottawa (2021), the state of Vermont (2022), and the city [...]

2023-08-18T15:43:15-04:00August 16th, 2023|Conservation, News|

More on Atlas III information – Zoom Meeting

With spring upon us, several local species have already started their breeding behaviour.  Migrants are arriving daily and staking out territory before nesting. Observing and reporting this activity to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas provides essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will help guide environmental policies and conservation strategies [...]

2023-04-18T21:35:03-04:00April 18th, 2023|Birds, News|

Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas Year III Launch Weekend

Ottawa Region Meet and Greet An informal Meet and Greet for the Ottawa Region of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas from 0830 to 1000 at the Shirleys Bay Boat Launch on Sunday 23 April. Come find out about the Atlas and meet fellow participants who would be happy to share their experiences as a part [...]

2023-04-18T15:09:38-04:00April 18th, 2023|Birds, News, Research|

The Results are In – 2022 Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count

The 104th Ottawa-Gatineau CBC was held December 18, 2022. Temperatures ranged from minus 7.5 to minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, with variable skies throughout the day. 146 field observers plus 28 feeder watchers found 77 species and a record high 50,851 individual birds. Highlights included 3 Northern Shovelers (only the fifth record), a Harlequin Duck, 2 [...]

2023-02-21T20:58:25-05:00February 21st, 2023|Birds, News|

Christmas Bird Counts are all Around Us

The Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on December 18 but there are plenty of opportunities to participate in other nearby counts.  Check out Christmas Bird Count Calendar 2022-23 The Kemptville area is preparing for its second Christmas Bird Count on December 29 and could use more participants.  If you are interested, please contact [...]

2022-12-20T15:36:10-05:00December 20th, 2022|Birds, News|

Christmas Bird Count Season is Approaching

The Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 18,2022.  If you wish to participate, contact Bernie Ladouceur at vbladouceur[at]rogers.com or 613-829-2473 for Ottawa or Daniel Toussaint at danieltoussaint[at]videotron.ca for Gatineau. For other nearby Christmas Counts check out Christmas Bird Count Calendar 2022-23 There are plenty of opportunities to participate in nearby Quebec Counts [...]

2022-12-20T15:07:03-05:00November 29th, 2022|Birds, News|

Alan Wormington Memorial Camp for Teen Birders and Naturalists.

Please note that the deadline for response for this opportunity has been moved to June 7 from June 10.  We apologize for the inconvenience.   THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB (OFNC) IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT WILL SUBSIDIZE ($800) ONE OTTAWA-GATINEAU AREA YOUTH TO ATTEND THE Allan Wormington Memorial Camp for Teen Birders and Naturalists. [...]

2022-06-01T17:35:29-04:00May 31st, 2022|Birds, News|

Updated Birder Resources

In January, we highlighted the work of Greg Zbitnew in updating the Rare Bird Records for the OFNC study area.  If you missed it, you find the document at Rare Bird Detailed Records in the OFNC Study Area Greg continues to work diligently to keep our birding knowledge up to date.  You might want to [...]

2022-02-10T11:22:35-05:00February 10th, 2022|Birds, News|

A New Year in Birding

Are you starting a new year list?  Check out this useful guide to carry you through to March.  The full document can be found at OFNC Study Area finding guide for January to March

2022-01-18T12:19:59-05:00January 4th, 2022|News|