Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, Region 24 (Ottawa)
Region 24 (Ottawa) Report for 2001
by Christine Hanrahan
Breeding evidence has been found for 165 species this year, with confirmed breeding for 117. An additional 6 species were observed for which breeding evidence was lacking.
Highlights include a breeding Northern Hawk Owl in Tatlock (UR80), a Bald Eagle with young on nest in McCreary Mtn/Norcan Lake (UR50), the same square in which a Bald Eagle was found on the last atlas, and a pair of Gray Jays in the Shamrock square (UR52).
While it is much too early in the project to draw any conclusions from the data, results thus far at least confirm what birders already knew for certain species. To no one’s surprise, Northern Cardinal, and House Finch were recorded widely. House Finch on 31 squares compared to 4 last atlas, and Cardinal on 37 squares compared to 19 before. Merlins also made their presence felt! They were recorded on 10 squares with breeding confirmed on two, VR42 and VR43. Ottawa Centre (VR42) had at least three nests with young, and there were many more observations of single birds or pairs in various parts of the square. The remaining 8 squares had possible or probable breeding categories. On the last atlas, we recorded Merlin on only one square, UR57 (Westmeath). Introduction of Wild Turkey to Eastern Ontario has resulted in establishment of a breeding population, and this is reflected in the number of squares reporting this species: 7, compared to one last time.
On the negative side, Loggerhead Shrike was found on only one square, VQ29 (Dwyer Hill) and recorded as a possible breeder (H). Last time we had breeding evidence from 20 squares. Red-headed Woodpecker is another scarce species with only two squares reporting , UR92 and VR02. We hope to find more evidence of this species over the next four years, but may not record it on as many squares as last time (17). Common Nighthawks, recorded on 38 squares 20 years ago, were reported from 5 this year. Given how uncommon this species now appears to be, it will be interesting to see final results for nighthawks in 2005.
Over the past few years I’ve heard birders comment on the dearth of some sparrow species. While Song and Savannah Sparrows are common enough, Field, Vesper and Grasshopper seem more elusive than usual. What this means, if anything, remains to be seen. However, I can say that none of these species were widely recorded this year on the atlas. This may be indicative of a general decline in the species or it may be a reflection of atlasser’s lack of familiarity with their songs, as well as less time spent in suitable habitat. We’ll take a look at what data reveals in year five both in our region and for the atlas as a whole, but for now I can tell you that Field Sparrow was recorded on 20 squares (61 last time); Vesper Sparrow on 15 (68 last time), and Grasshopper Sparrow on 4 (27 last time). Remember, this is just an observation, not an indication of population decline (yet!).
Breeding Evidence Codes
Observed: X- Species observed in its breeding season (no evidence of breeding)Possible: H – Species observed in season in suitable nesting habitat S – Singing male present or breeding calls heard in breeding season in suitable nesting habitat.Probable: P – Pair observed in their breeding season in suitable nesting habitat T – Permanent territory presumed through registration of territorial song on at least 2 days, one week or more apart at the same place D – Courtship or display between a male and a female or 2 males including courtship feeding or copulation |
V – Visiting probable nest site A – Agitated behaviour or anxiety calls of adult B – Brood patch on adult female or cloacal protuberance on adult male N – Nest building or excavation of nest holeConfirmed: DD – Distraction display or injury feigning NU – Used nest or egg shell found (occupied/laid during atlas period) FY – Recently fledged young or downy young AE – Adults leaving or entering nest site in circumstances indicating occupied site FS – Adult carrying faecal sac CF – Adult carrying food for young NE – Nest containing eggs NY- Nest with young seen or heard – photos; click camera icon to view |
Atlasser Effort Per Square
Number of Species Found and Confirmed, Number of Hours Spent Atlassing
The results that follow show the number of species found per square, the number of confirmed species per square, and the number of hours spent atlassing in each square.
Casual Observations:
Where casual observations are included this is noted. In most cases casual observers do not record time spent birding so the hours shown generally reflect only those of the square’s ‘owner’. There are exceptions. Some casual observers put in a lot of time and effort and recorded their hours on their data cards. Where this is so, the hours per square reflect both those of the casual observer and the square’s ‘owner and is indicated. Where data in a square that was assigned to an atlasser comes only from casual observations this is noted and the square is marked N/A – data not available (see Legend for explanation) – but the number of casual observations is given. I have prepared the information this way so that if you are checking your square for data, and find it differs from your records, this is why!
Because this project is collecting data on breeding birds the pertinent information concerns the number of species found with breeding evidence. Species recorded as X (observed only, no breeding evidence) are important but do not constitute data for breeding evidence . Thus for each square I have first counted only the number of species for which some level of breeding evidence was recorded. This is the first number given in the ‘Number of Species’ column. Species recorded as an X are added to the total in brackets ( ). So if a square recorded 75 species with some level of breeding evidence, the first number would be 75. If there are a further 3 species recorded as X, they are added to the total and shown in brackets as (78).
As noted earlier, this is a draft report and the numbers in some squares below are subject to change as more information is submitted.
Legend
NOT ATLASSED – the atlasser contacted me and said they were unable to atlas this year.
NOT ASSIGNED – the square not yet assigned to anyone
N/A – the square assigned but atlas data not available either because the square was not atlassed (but I wasn’t told) or the atlasser has not yet returned the data. N/A followed by number of species (e.g., N/A 71) indicates casual observations submitted by other than the assigned atlasser.
Square name & no. | No. of species | No. confirmed | No. of hours in Square |
VR00 Almonte | NOT ASSIGNED | ||
VR01 Blakeney | 73 (78) | 17 | 19.5 |
VR02 Kinburn | 102 (104) | 19 | 30 |
VR03 Fitzroy Harbour | 99 (103) | 33 | 43 |
VR04 Quyon (5%) | 68 (57) | 20 | 10 |
VR10 Appleton | 79 (80) | 30 | 23 |
VR11 Corkery | N/A | ||
VR12 Marathon/Carp | 73 (76) | 12 | 10 |
VR13 Constance Bay | N/A | ||
VR14 Eardley (5%) | N/A | ||
VR20 Munster | 93 (100) | 40 | 45 |
VR21 Kanata/Stittsville (incl. casual observations) | 72 (77) | 27 | 31 |
VR22 S. March | N/A 56 (68) | 13 | 30 (casual observations only) |
VR23 Dunrobin | N/A | ||
VR30 Richmond | 107 (116) | 57 | 81 |
VR31 Bells Corners (incl. casual observations) | 79 (81) | 20 | 23 |
VR32 Britannia (incl. casual observations) | 46 (51) | 17 | 3 |
VR40 Manotick | 44 (47) | 24 | 10 |
VR41 Uplands Airport | 84 (87) | 35 | 62.5 |
VR42 Ottawa Centre | N/A 48 (50) | 30 | casual observations only |
VR43 Rockcliffe (incl. casual observations) | 45 (47) | 10 | 6 |
VR50 West Osgoode | 71 (86) | 59 | 30 |
VR51 Greely | 73 (74) | 16 | 18 |
VR52 Ramsayville | 106 (108) | 43 | 88 |
VR53 Greens Creek | 49 (53) | 1 | 20 |
VR60 Vernon | 31 | 1 | 6 |
VR61 Edwards | 34 (37) | 4 | 6 |
VR62 Carlsbad Springs | 42 (46) | 22 | 3 |
VR63 Martin’s Corners (incl. casual observation) | 19 | 11 | 6.5 |
VR64 Cumberland (5%) | 10 | 0 | 0.5 |
VR70 Morewood | 55 (58) | 16 | 15.5 |
VR71 Russell | 70 (72) | 25 | 10.5 |
VR72 Vars | 83 (87) | 22 | 54.5 |
VR73 Sarsfield | 53 (55) | 4 | 7.5 |
VR74 Rockland | 44 (45) | 3 | 1 |
VR80 Crysler | 53 (54) | 21 | 2.5 |
VR81 Gagnon | 79 (82) | 14 | 15 |
VR82 Cheney (incl. casual observations) | 71 (73) | 12 | 10.5 |
VR83 Bourget | 60 (65) | 8 | 11.5 |
VR84 Clarence | 55 (56) | 7 | 14 |
VR90 Berwick | 60 (61) | 20 | 3 |
VR91 Mayerville | 25 | 16 | 3 |
VR92 Lemieux | 44 | 16 | 3.5 |
VR93 Pendleton | 23 (26) | 3 | 9 |
VR94 Jessups Falls | 49 (50) | 4 | 13 |
UR50 McCreary Mtn./Norcan Lake | N/A 1 | 1 | casual observation |
UR51 Ferguson’s Lake (incl. casual observations) | 69 (70) | 8 | 5 |
UR52 Shamrock | 69 (70) | 5 | 8 |
UR53 Balsam Hill | NOT | ATLASSED | |
UR54 Bromley | NOT | ATLASSED | |
UR55 Cobden | 50 (52) | 7 | 11 |
UR56 Beachburg | 45 (50) | 3 | 4 |
UR57 Westmeath | 32 (34) | 4 | casual observations only |
UR58 Flannagan Bay | 37 (38) | 2 | 4 |
UR60 Flower Station | 46 (47) | 7 | 20 |
UR61 Calabogie | 62 (63) | 8 | 25 |
UR62 Ashdad | 97 (101) | 29 | 49 |
UR63 Renfrew | 55 (9) | 9 | 10 |
UR64 Haley Station | 62 (4) | 6 | 10 |
UR65 Queensline (incl. casual observations) | 64 (71) | 12 | 10 |
UR66 Norman Rapids | 40 | 6 | 1.5 |
UR67 La Passe | 29 | 5 | 1 |
UR68 Davidson | 10 | 1 | 0.5 |
UR70 Darling Long Lake | 16 (19) | 2 | 6 |
UR71 Bagot Long Lake | 43 (3) | 6 | 9 |
UR72 Burnstown | 45 (46) | 8 | 21 |
UR73 Goshen | 50 (52) | 0 | 7 |
UR74 Castleford | 19 | 4 | 2.5 |
UR80 Tatlock | 122 | 57 | 77 |
UR81 Lowney Lake | 68 (73) | 10 | 9 |
UR82 White Lake | 76 (82) | 17 | 18 |
UR83 Sand Point | 54 (57) | 1 | 5.5 |
UR84 Rhoddy’s Bay (5%) | NOT ASSIGNED | ||
UR90 Clayton | 87 (94) | 37 | 14 |
UR91 Cedar Hill | 70 (72) | 16 | 13 |
UR92 Pakenham | 77 (79) | 24 | 48.5 |
UR93 Arnprior | 83 (91) | 2 | 3 |
VQ19 Black’s Corners (incl. casual observations) | 79 (81) | 40 | 25 |
VQ29 Dwyer Hill | 74 (78) | 33 | 38 |
VQ39 Malakoff | 97 (98) | 40 | 18.5 |
VQ49 North Gower | 53 (56) | 11 | 11 |
VQ59 Osgoode | 72 (83) | 52 | 12 |
VQ69 Winchester Bog | 47 (48) | 5 | 5 |
VQ79 Winchester | 73 (75) | 25 | 8 |
VQ89 Chesterville | 71 (74) | 27 | 7.5 |
VQ99 Finch | 78 (81) | 24 | 12.5 |
List of Volunteers
Ken Allison Robert Alvo Ted Baldwin Cliff Bennett Lynda Bennett Marg Benson Peter Blancher Ludmilla Borshevsky Brian Bowen Colin and Pat Bowen, Rob Bowyer and Catherine Smith David Britton Tim Brophy Richard Brouillet Peter Browne Gerhard Bruins Emily Burton John Cartwright Janet Castle Bob Cermak Laurie Consaul Daryl Coulson Dale Crook Ron Curtis Bruce Di Labio Erica Dunn Bill Fyfe Marcel Gahbauer Colin Gaskell Jessica Gawn Mark Gawn Carol and Alan German Jim Gillick Al Graham Anne Hackston Christine Hanrahan Chris Harris Mark Hovorka Terry Huzarski Roy John |
Paul Jones Rick Killeen Maryanne Koot Bernie Ladouceur Alexander (Sandy) Lang Jennifer LeBlanc Chris Lewis and Bob Bracken MacNamara Field Naturalists Paul and Michelle Martin Barb Martinovic Bev McBride Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists Daniele Mitchell Dave Moore Carolyn Murphy Bev Peterkin Remy Poulin Eric Ridgen Jack Romanow Mary Rothfels Linda Ryan Paul Schoening Bev Scott Arnie Simpson Dan and Chris Simpson Langis Sirois Jeff and Angela Skevington Ellen Smith Dave Smythe Daniel St. Hilaire Mark Stabb and Caroline Schultz Blair Stevens Bruce Tate Eve Ticknor Ailsa Tuttle Kathryn Warner and Mike Enright Sloane Watters Laurie L. Wood Eleanor Zurbrigg |