Photo by Aaron Hywarren.

The hardy male Western Tanager that was frequenting the West Hunt Club community of Ottawa since late November, perished as a result of a window strike early in the evening of Saturday 23 March 2024.

This was the first time this species has ever been recorded in Ottawa, and the Ontario Field Ornithologists was pleased to be able to create the conditions necessary to accommodate both the privacy concerns of the local residents, and the incredible interest in this rare visitor to Eastern Ontario.  In addition to the joy his daily appearances brought to the immediate neighbourhood throughout a drab winter – the homeowners named him “Sunny” – some 600 visitors from across Ontario, parts of Quebec, and points farther afield had the opportunity to enjoy, photograph, and even paint this bird.  None of this would have been possible without the initial alertness of the local community residents, and the subsequent willingness of a number of local birders who donated feed, funds, and time, to maintain the temporary feeder farm that saw him through the winter.  The efforts of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club to provide feed, and to regularly remind local birders of both the viewing protocols and the ongoing requirement for food donations, was appreciated.

The Western Tanager is now a part of Canada’s largest ornithological collection at the Royal Ontario Museum for research and review.  It is the hope of the Ontario Field Ornithologists – and the residents of the small neighbourhood that found him in life and in death – that the broader birding community will consider a donation to Safe Wings Ottawa – https://safewings.ca/support-us/donate/ – so that they may continue their efforts to raise awareness on the risks posed by windows strikes.

Aaron Hywarren
OFO Rare Bird Ambassador Program
Ottawa