For a better look at the wonderful photos submitted by OFNC birders, please click on images.
Thanks to everyone who contributes bird observations. We encourage everyone to report their bird sightings on eBird for the benefit of the entire birding community.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 5 December 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Britannia, by Nina Stavlund. This very late Ruby-crowned Kinglet appears to have a subtle bill deformity. Regardless, it still seems reasonably healthy and active.
Hooded Merganser (adult male), Dow’s Lake, by Gillian Wright. As usual, bonus points if you can id the fish.
Hooded Merganser (juvenile), Dow’s Lake, by Gillian Wright. Somewhere between juvenile and adult plumage, the dark eye reveals this bird’s youth.
Common Raven, Dow’s Lake, by Gillian Wright. What do Ravens eat? Whatever they want.
Red-throated Loons, Andrew Haydon, by Aaron Hywarren. 79 of the 475 seen on Nov 26. It’s easy to dismiss a big distant flock as more Canada Geese, but sometimes they are Snow Geese, Brant, gulls or even cranes. Very, very rarely, even loons. Always worth a closer look.
Mystery Duck, Dow’s Lake, by Gillian Wright. A Mallard hybrid, but can you logic out the other half of his ancestry?
Mystery Duck, Dow’s Lake, by Gillian Wright.
Ross’s Goose (1) Dec 01, Rte 400, Russel. (2) Nov 30, Winchester sewage lagoons, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Greater White-fronted Goose (3) Nov 30, Carp–Hidden Lake Trail, Ottawa. (1) Nov 29, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Trumpeter Swan (1) Dec 02, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (1) Dec 02, Mississippi Riverwalk Trail, Lanark.
Wood Duck (1) Dec 01-02, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Northern Shoveler (1) Dec 05, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. (1) Dec 01, Carleton Place storm pond-Hwy 7, Lanark.
Northern Pintail (1) Dec 05, Baxter CA, Ottawa. (1) Dec 02, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal (4) Until at least Dec 02, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (4-6) Dec 01- 02, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark. (2) Dec 02, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (5) Dec 02, trail S side of Jock River, Ottawa. (4) Dec 02, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Dow’s Lake, Shirley’s Bay-Andrew Haydon, or the Rideau River between Strathcona Park and Billing’s Bridge. Several males around.
Sandhill Crane (324) Until at least Dec 01, Cobbs Lake Creek at Du Lac Road, Prescott and Russell.
Wilson’s Snipe (1) Dec 05, Rideau Canal Western Pathway, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Dec 04, Stittsville–Hickstead Storm Pond, Ottawa. (1) Dec 02, Ottawa–Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Dec 03, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Eastern Phoebe (1)Dec 03-05, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Dec 04, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau (1) Dec 04, Rockcliffe parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s Creek, Ottawa. (1) Dec 01-03, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Winter Wren (2) Dec 02, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa (1) Dec 01, Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Dec 05, Manotick–Rideau Forest, Ottawa. (1) Dec 03, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Dec 01, Wood Path behind Jim Durell RC, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) rue du Plein-Air, Gatineau. (1) Dec 02-03, rue de la Loire, Gatineau.
Baltimore Oriole (1) Dec 05, Heron-Walkley Park, Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird (2) Dec 02-05, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. (1) Dec 02, Greenbank Pond, Ottawa.
Christmas Bird Count Season starts soon. Here is a list of the many counts in the OFNC study area: https://ofnc.ca/birds/christmas-bird-count-season-is-approaching-2
Atlas notes: Did you encounter a singing bird back in May? Have you seen fledged birds or adult birds carrying food in the summer? Do you have photographs of local species from this summer? If so, it is not too late to join one of Ontario’s largest citizen science projects by adding your observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. #youcanatlasthat anywhere in Ontario via the NatureCounts app, the Atlas website, or by taking 90 seconds to import an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 28 November 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
475 migrating Red-throated Loons landed in the river at Andrew Haydon Park on Nov 26, presumably motivated by cold weather up north and dropped out of the sky by bad weather over Ottawa. Numbers built up over the afternoon and they (almost) all left as a group in the ten minutes it took your compiler to drive from his house to the park. A Purple Sandpiper put in a typically brief visit on the 25th.
Northern Shoveller(female-type), Fox Run, Peter Blancher. If you see a small nondescript duck swimming forward with its head underwater, look twice. When it finally raises its head, it will probably turn into a Northern Shoveller. They often swim with their heads under the water while straining for tiny crustaceans, plant matter, and invertebrates.
Greater Black-backed Gull, Dow’s lake, Catherine Lawrence. Red orbital ring, dirty yellow iris, very dark mantle, pale pink legs – a classic non-breeding adult.
Cooper’s Hawk (adult), Dow’s lake, Catherine Lawrence. Pale nape, tail dipped in white paint for species, blue color and red eye for adult.
Merlin (juvenile), Dow’s lake, Catherine Lawrence. Brown feathers for juveniles.
Goldeneyes, Dow’s lake, Catherine Lawrence. Common on left, Barrow’s on right. Perfect comparison shot – the darker wing with white spots on the Barrows vs the mostly white wing of the Common, the shape of the spots, the forehead angle. And Alan’s tip last week about the way the white patch rises above the eye on the Barrow’s holds here too.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (adult male), Britannia, Gillian Wright. Don’t look for a red belly for id on this mis-named species. There may or may not be a visible red wash. But the red cap and stunning back pattern make up for the unhelpful name.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Britannia, Gillian Wright. Classic woodpecker pose – one toe turned backwards for better grip, and the whole body supported away for the bark by the stiff tail.
Ross’s Goose (3) Nov 24-25, Winchester sewage lagoons, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Nov 27, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Northern Shoveler (1) Dow’s Lake, Ottawa. Female. (1) Nov 22, Richmond–Fox Run stormwater ponds, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Looking for this regional specialty? Try Dow’s Lake, Shirley’s Bay-Andrew Haydon, or the Rideau River between Strathcona Park and Billing’s Bridge. Several males around.
Greater Yellowlegs (1) Nov 24, Masson, Bassin d’épuration, Gatineau.
Purple Sandpiper (1) Nov 25, Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Nov 23-24, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Nov 27, Green’s Creek Sewage Treatment Facility, Ottawa. (2) Nov 24, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau. (1) Nov 23, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Nov 23, Bel Air fields, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Nov 24-25, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Nov 23, Berryside Rd, Ottawa. (1) Nov 21, Saunderson Drive, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Nov 24, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa. (1) Nov 24, Hintonburg Park, Ottawa. (1) Nov 24, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Nov 23, Champlain Street Marsh, Ottawa.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Nov 27, Watts Creek pathway, Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Nov 23-24, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. (1) Nov 23, Bel Air fields, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: Did you encounter a singing bird back in May? Have you seen fledged birds or adult birds carrying food in the summer? Do you have photographs of local species from this summer? If so, it is not too late to join one of Ontario’s largest citizen science projects by adding your observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. #youcanatlasthat anywhere in Ontario via the NatureCounts app, the Atlas website, or by taking 90 seconds to import an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 21 November 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Birders scrambled to Dick Bell Park on Nov. 19 for the first Yellow-throated Warbler in over a decade. A Short-billed Gull at Lafleche also caused excitement.
Male Common Goldeneye, Dows Lake, by Alan Short. Note the gorgeous green head in addition to the cheek patch.
Male Barrow’s Goldeneye, Dows Lake, by Alan Short. Alan points out that the white patch in the Barrow’s rises above the eye, unlike on the Common. The head is darker too, but that’s not helpful at a distance. The head is also shaped differently, and both the patch and the profile are noticeable from far away.
Yellow-throated Warbler, Dick Bell park, by Sheila Craig. This rare visitor to our region forages along bark and branches much like a Black-and-white warbler. Normally a canopy dweller, like many such species, it often forages lower on migration, making it easier to find.
Female-type Pine Warbler, Carleton University, by Igor Kabic. This day was one of those not so great, cloudy with a chance of rain days, dark and no sun in sight. He almost decided to leave the camera at home but figured he’d take it along. Did one of his regular routes around campus and noticed this Pine Warbler, initially thinking it was an American Goldfinch coming in low to feed. He took a couple of shots and noticed it didn’t seem like a goldfinch at all. He hung around the same spot for a couple minutes and it came out of the trees and blessed Igor with those photos. Igor says the moral of the story is to always bring the camera and check with all your photography and birding friends to make sure you’re seeing what you think you are.
Male Common Mergansers, Dows Lake, by Alan Short.
Female Common Mergansers, Dows Lake, by Alan Short.
Female Pine Warbler, Carleton University, by Igor Kabic. Note the huge (for a warbler) bill. A bird with this subtle plumage might be easily mis-IDed, but that bill is a clincher.
Yellow-throated Warbler, Dick Bell park, by Sheila Craig.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Looking for this regional specialty? Try Dow’s Lake, Shirley’s Bay-Andrew Haydon, or the Rideau River between Strathcona Park and Billing’s Bridge. Up to 6 individuals may have been seen over the past week, depending on potential overlaps.
Razorbill (1) Nov 18, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. Might Thursday and Friday’s winds bring more up the river?
Short-billed Gull (1) Nov 15, Lafleche Landfill and surrounding fields, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Just outside the OFNC circle, but definitely worth keeping an eye out for. Other interesting gulls at this location include Iceland and Lesser Black-backed.
Golden Eagle (1) Nov 16, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Eastern Phoebe (1) Nov 15-19, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Snipe (1) Nov 19, Richmond–Fox Run stormwater ponds, Ottawa.
Pied-billed Grebe (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Nov 13, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (2) Nov 08, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Nov 17, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa. (1) Nov 15, Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Nov 16, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Nov 19, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Nov 17, Dunrobin (Bill Mason Centre), Ottawa. (1) Nov 15, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Nov 20, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Nov 17, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Nov 20, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Common Grackle (1) Nov 20, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Winter Finches – Scattered reports of Evening Grosbeak and White-winged Crossbill.
Common Yellowthroat (1) Nov 20, Parc de la Gatineau–Sentier 53, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Pine Warbler (1) Nov 19, Carleton University, Ottawa. (1) Nov 17, Alta Vista, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Warbler (1) Nov 19, Dick Bell Park, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: Did you encounter a singing bird back in May? Have you seen fledged birds or adult birds carrying food in the summer? Do you have photographs of local species from this summer? If so, it is not too late to join one of Ontario’s largest citizen science projects by adding your observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. #youcanatlasthat anywhere in Ontario via the NatureCounts app, the Atlas website, or by taking 90 seconds to import an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 14 November 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Wild goose and gull chase season? The Ross’ Geese moving back and forth all day to torment birders are seasonal, but the Slaty-backed Gull was a very nice–if brief – surprise. In other birding news, the NCC decided not to renew the OFNC bird feeders on NCC land, in line with their policies about not affecting wildlife behaviour.
Ring-billed Gull, Mud Lake, Alan Short. Numbers will drop in December as most Ring-billeds migrate south.
American Black Duck, Mud Lake, Alan Short. Black ducks nest on the ground like the closely-related Mallards.
Scaup, Andrew Haydon, Alan Short. Most Lesser Scaup breed in Western Canada, but they winter on both the east and west coasts of North America. We only see them on migration.
American Wigeon, Andrew Haydon, Alan Short. A nice comparison of female and male plumage. Like Lesser Scaup, most American Wigeon breed in Western Canada (also Alaska), but some use the coast of Hudson Bay.
Red-breasted Merganser, Andrew Haydon, Sanam Goudarzi.
Lesser Scaup, Andrew Haydon, Sanam Goudarzi. A female born this year from the dark eye.
Bufflehead, Andrew Haydon, Sanam Goudarzi. Even smaller than they appear – they mostly use abandoned Northern Flicker roosts, but will use nest boxes with an opening of only 2.5 inches (6.4 CM) in diameter. Roosts with larger holes lead to competition with other cavity nesting ducks.
Lesser Scaup, Andrew Haydon, Gillian Wright. The dark eye indicates a bird born this summer.
Lesser Scaup, Andrew Haydon, Gillian Wright. The bright eyed bird is an adult female. The other three are all immature, and the left-most bird is a young male.
American Wigeon, Andrew Haydon, Alan Short.
Ross’s Goose (1) Nov 13-14, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa. (1) Nov 13, Frank Kenny Rd, Ottawa. (3) Nov 07,10, 12 Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. (1) Nov 12, Wall Rd, Ottawa. (1) Nov 12, Avalon (stormwater pond), Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (1) Nov 10, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (1) Nov 08, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Nov 12, Central Experimental Farm Arboretum, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Snipe (2) Nov 14, Petrie Island Park, Ottawa. (1) Nov 10, Carleton Place – Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Lesser Yellowlegs (1) Nov 03, Rideau River – Black Rapids – Long Island lock, Ottawa.
Slaty-backed Gull (1) Nov 10, Clarence-Rockland Landfill, Prescott and Russell.
Pied-billed Grebe (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Nov 13, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (2) Nov 08, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Green Heron (1) Nov 09, Burnt Lands Provincial Park, Ottawa.
Osprey (1) Nov 13, Rockcliffe Park Pavilion, Ottawa. (1) Nov 09, Parc Jacques-Cartier, Gatineau.
Red-headed Woodpecker (2) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Nov 13, Ch Steele, Pontiac . (1) Nov 08, 11, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2) Nov 14, Britannia CA–Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Nov 13, Extrémité Ch. de l’Hôtel de Ville, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Nov 11, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Nov 10, Stony Swamp (P6 trailhead), Ottawa.
Swamp Sparrow (1) Nov 08, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Common Grackle (1) Nov 13, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Nov 13, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Pine Warbler (1) Nov 14, Carleton University, Ottawa. (1) Nov 12, Petrie Island Park, Ottawa.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1) Nov 08-14, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: Did you encounter a singing bird back in May? Have you seen fledged birds or adult birds carrying food in the summer? Do you have photographs of local species from this summer? If so, it is not too late to join one of Ontario’s largest citizen science projects by adding your observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. #youcanatlasthat anywhere in Ontario via the NatureCounts app, the Atlas website, or by taking 90 seconds to import an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 7 November 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Snow Bunting, Gatineau park, Scott Haldane. Snow Buntings have a circumpolar arctic breeding range.
Ruffed Grouse, Prescott-Russell Trail, Gillian Wright. Non-mighratory, they are well adapted to our winters. In fact, they even grow projections on the sides of their feet in winter to help them walk on snow. Those tracks are common in Stoney Swamp after a fresh snow, and much easier to find than the average grouse.
Green-winged Teal, Andrew Haydon Park, Alan Short. Adult Male in perfect breeding plumage.
Green-winged Teal, Andrew Haydon Park, Gillian Wright. Not as far along in his molt as the previous bird.
Green-winged Teal, Andrew Haydon Park, Sanam Goudarzi. Slightly different again. A flock can appear homogeneous, but with study, sometimes you can tell the individual birds apart.
Brant, Andrew Haydon, Alan Short. Essentially a coastal species, Ottawa is on their migration path from Hudson Bay to New Jersey, so we see flocks every fall.
Hooded Mergansers, Dows Lake, Alan Short.
Leucistic Canada Goose, Embrun, Erin Durant. It’s weird goose season, as many, many geese drop into the region to feed before continuing their migration, giving us time to spot the outliers. The leucism in this case affects only the feather tracts on the head and neck.
Long-tailed Duck, Andrew Haydon Park, Catherine Lawrence. The Long-tailed Duck is the Ontario Field Ornithologists bird of the year for 2025.
Horned Grebe, Shirley’s Bay, Catherine Lawrence.
Scaup and Canada Goose, Andrew Haydon Park, Catherine Lawrence. As field marks go, size on isolated birds is misleading as often as it is helpful, but relative size is almost always a great field marker.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Fletcher, Gillian Wright. Male from the red throat patch.
Hermit Thrush, Embrum, Erin Durant. Erin points out that although the burning bush plant is lovely and the birds love the berries, it is considered invasive and well … the birds love the berries and spread the seeds.
Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Ontario, Erin Durant.
Scaup, Andrew Haydon, Alan Short. The amount of white in the wings makes it possible to tell Lesser and Greater Scaup apart more easily in flight than when sitting. Yep, sure does…
Ross’s Goose (3) Nov 06, Embrun, Prescott and Russel. (1) Nov 06, Chemin Baillie, Gatineau.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Nov 06, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa. (4) Nov 01, Marlborough Forest–Roger’s Pond, Ottawa.
Blue-winged Teal (6) Nov 06, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa. (55) Nov 01, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Eurasian Wigeon (1) Nov 02, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Nov 03-04, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa.
(1) Nov 02, Rideau River Eastern Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. (1) Oct 31, Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa.
Common Gallinule (1) Nov 03, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Wilson’s Snipe (1) Nov 07, Richmond–Fox Run stormwater ponds, Ottawa.
Lesser Yellowlegs (1) Nov 05, Chapman Mills CA, Ottawa.
Pied-billed Grebe (1) Nov 05-07, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa
Great Egret – plenty still hunting around.
Golden Eagle (2) Nov 07, Clarence-Rockland Landfill, Prescott and Russell. (1-3) Nov 03-04, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (1) Nov 03, Greenbelt pathway south of Davidson Road, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Nov 02, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Nov 04, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Nov 03, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Nov 01, Aylmer, Gatineau.
Eastern Phoebe (1) Oct 31, Chemin Valiquette, Gatineau.
Gray Catbird (1) Nov 03, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Swainson’s Thrush (1) Nov 01, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Swamp Sparrow (2) Nov 06, Pinhey’s Point Historic Site, Ottawa. (1) Nov 05- 06, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Eastern Meadowlark (1) Nov 02, Chemin de la Rivière, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Common Yellowthroat (1) Nov 02, Etang Grimes, Gatineau.
Atlas notes: Did you encounter a singing bird back in May? Have you seen fledged birds or adult birds carrying food in the summer? Do you have photographs of local species from this summer? If so, it is not too late to join one of Ontario’s largest citizen science projects by adding your observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. #youcanatlasthat anywhere in Ontario via the NatureCounts app, the Atlas website, or by taking 90 seconds to import an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 31 October 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Fairly typical late October with winter birds arriving and late birds lingering. An interesting movement of White-winged crossbills is exciting.
Brant, Shirley’s Bay, Gillian Wright. Some Brant become accustomed to people, and this bird walked right by Gillain, offering stunning views.
Brown Thrasher, Old Quarry, Clifford Rostek. An unusually good look at a secretive bird. This species will often swoop low and silently across the trail after all the birders have passed.
Diving ducks, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. Four female Surf Scoters and a Long-tailed duck. The Scoters are migrating from Northern Canada to the Eastern coast for the winter. The Long-tailed Duck breeds even further north, along the arctic coast and islands. It may be headed to the Great Lakes or the Eastern coast. Both species stop over in our region to fuel up.
Hybrid goose, Andrew Haydon Park, Sai Wai Ip. Derek was told it’s a domestic x Canada goose cross. Does the slight grin patch imply some Snow Goose in the mix? Bonus points for iding the Goose beside the hybrid.
Hybrid goose, Andrew Haydon Park, Gillian Wright. A slightly different view of the same bird. This same individual (or a very similar one) was seen in Carleton Place.
Partially leucistic American Robin, Alta Vista, Christopher Clunas. Without looking it up, what parts of a healthy robin are normally white?
Carolina Wren, Frank Ryan, Sanam Goudarzi.
Dunlin, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short.
Snow Bunting, Shirley’s Bay, Sanam Goudarzi. Combine some excellent camouflage and a tendency to lie low out of the wind, and Snow Buntings disappear from view.
Horned Grebe, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. The last thing many a minnow ever saw.
Pied-Billed Grebe, Mud Lake, Sai Wai Ip.
Green-winged Teal, Andrew Haydon Park, Sai Wai Ip.
American Wigeon, Andrew Haydon Park, Sai Wai Ip.
Wilson’s Snipe, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Look at those feet, perfect for walking on mud or water plants.
Trumpeter Swan (1) Oct 31, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (5) Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Oct 24-29, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Common Gallinule (1) Oct 28, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau. (1) Oct 25, Petrie Island causeway, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper (1) Oct 24, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau.
Osprey (1) Oct 25, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Golden Eagle (1) Oct 28, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (1) Oct 26, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Broad-winged Hawk (1) Oct 19, Garlandside Road, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Oct 27, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Oct 29, ch Pine Ridge, Wakefield, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Oct 29-30, Queenscourt Cres, Ottawa. (1) Oct 28, Ch Vaillancourt, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Oct 28, Rideau River Provincial Park, Ottawa. (1) Oct 24, Parc Queen, Gatineau.
Blue-headed Vireo (1) Oct 25, South March Highlands Conservation Forest, Ottawa.
Red-eyed Vireo (1) Oct 19, Clyde Woods, Ottawa
Brown Thrasher (1) Oct 28, Old Quarry Trail, Ottawa. (1) Oct 25, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Veery (1) Oct 27, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
White-winged crossbill – Many reports this week. The only consistent location is the Pine Grove forest. The atlas would appreciate any evidence of breeding.
Eastern Towhee (1) Oct 28, Prescott-Russell Trail Link, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: Did you encounter a singing bird back in May? Have you seen fledged birds or adult birds carrying food in the summer? Do you have photographs of local species from this summer? If so, it is not too late to join one of Ontario’s largest citizen science projects by adding your observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. #youcanatlasthat anywhere in Ontario via the NatureCounts app, the Atlas website, or by taking 90 seconds to import an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 24 October 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
It’s duck season with all three scoter species reported this week. Watch lac Deschênes for seasonal ducks and Brant.
Merlin & Rock Pigeon, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. Alan witnessed a Merlin hunting a Rock Pigeon for 3 minutes. Here is the story in 3 collages. Alan noticed the Merlin trying to stay above the Pigeon.
Merlin & Rock Pigeon, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. The falcon makes a move on the pigeon, forcing the pigeon to turn hard left and to descend, to gain speed. The Gatineau Hills provide the backdrop.
Merlin & Rock Pigeon, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. The birds are much lower again and further out. The falcon seems to have a higher posture. The Merlin finally forces the pigeon into a hard crash landing to avoid capture. Alan thinks the falcon’s superior flying speed forces the pigeon to use up its elevation capital, to descend a little, to gain a higher speed, to get away from the threat behind him. This eventually leads them to just above the water where the pigeon crash lands to avoid capture. The pigeon did fly up out of the water but with wet wings and the falcon above couldn’t escape and went back into the water. After that he didn’t see where the Merlin went or if the pigeon managed to get out of the water a 2nd time. Note from Derek: Having seen this before with falcons and shorebirds, the falcon usually will focus on the vunerable bird until it falls prey from exhaustion. During migration, hunts are only 5-22% successful depending on the individual Merlin. That’s a lot of misses.
Cooper’s Hawk, near Dick Bell park, David Muirhead. Juvenile from the brown wings and yellow eyes.
Fox Sparrow, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. There are so many subspecies of Fox Sparrow that they are grouped into 4 subspecies groups in North America. Our group, the red or taiga group, is ‘Fox Sparrow (Red)’ in eBird. This sparrow is big, so big it can be confused with a thrush. But those chevron markings on the breast and flanks make for an easy ID.
Cooper’s Hawk, Fletcher, Gillian Wright. Tail dipped in white paint, pale nape, scary aspect, definitely a Coop. Probably. Maybe.
Sandhill Cranes, Renfrew County, Sanam Goudarzi.
Rough-legged Hawk, Renfrew County, Sanam Goudarzi. Unlike other hawks, almost always on a branch that seems too small for such a big bird.
Common Loon, Renfrew County, Sanam Goudarzi.
Sandhill Cranes, Beachburg, Jim Robertson. A small part of a flock of more than 1000 birds on Oct 19.
Sandhill Cranes, Beachburg, Jim Robertson. A still small part of the huge flock. In the West, migratory flocks of tens of thousands are expected, but this thousand-bird flock is rare for Eastern Ontario.
Common Gallinule, Petrie Island causeway, Gregory Zbitnew. A late immature bird that needs to migrate before the ice forms.
Ross’s Goose (1-2) Oct 20, 23, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Oct 17-20, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark. (1) Oct 20, PN de Plaisance–Marais Perras, Papineau.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Oct 24, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Oct 20-21, Club de ski Nakkertok Nordic-Nordique, Gatineau.
Blue-winged Teal (1) Oct 20, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Oct 24, Bate Island, Ottawa. Male hanging with COGOs.
Common Gallinule (1) Oct 13-23, Petrie Island (Causeway), Ottawa. (1) Oct 20, Moodie Drive Ponds, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper (1) Oct 15-23, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau. (1) Oct 18-22, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Oct 21, Station d’épuration, Gatineau (Masson-Angers), Gatineau.
Green Heron (1) Oct 18, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Oct 17, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Marsh Wren (1) Oct 21, 23, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Veery (1) Oct 18, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Gray-cheeked Thrush (1) Oct 19, Shirley’s Bay and path, Ottawa.
Lincoln’s Sparrow (1) Oct 22, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (2) Oct 20, Greenbelt pathway off Woodroffe and Fallowfield, Ottawa.
Blue-winged Warbler (1) Oct 22, Briargreen in Ottawa, Ottawa. An excellent example of a water feature bringing in migrating birds otherwise not found in that habitat.
Tennessee Warbler (2) Oct 21, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Oct 21, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler (1) Oct 19-21, Fletcher Wildlife Garden Goldenrod field, Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler (1) Oct 20, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat (1) Oct 20, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Cape May Warbler (1) Oct 21, Remic Rapids and Champlain Bridge area, Ottawa.
Palm Warbler (1) Oct 23, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Oct 18, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 17 October 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Getting close to last chance for this year for most of the migrants below, especially the warblers. On the other hand, the Black-backed Woodpecker might be a hopeful sign for winter birding. Less rare, there are many good seasonal field species around now: American Golden Plovers, pipits, longspurs, and buntings. Check the fields south and east of Ottawa. An estimated 200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls are hanging around Casselman.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ottawa, Sanam Goudarzi. Among the first to arrive each spring and the last to leave in the fall, butterbutts over-winter in the US and Central America, and even some warmer parts of Canada. As with many species, the males will – on average – winter further north than females.
White-throated Sparrow, Ottawa, Sanam Goudarzi. White-throated Sparrows do breed in the region in small numbers, but are usually here in huge numbers in October as a wave of migrants passes through.
Hooded Merganser, Ottawa, Sanam Goudarzi. The plumage seems adult, but the dark eye reveals this is this year’s bird.
Red-breasted Merganser, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. Among the fastest ducks, red-breasted mergs can fly up to 130-160 kmph.
Horned Grebes, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. Can you guess which is an adult and which is a first fall bird?
Carolina Wren, Britannaia, Gillian Wright. Any bird that messey must be a juvenile, right?
Horned Grebe, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. Clean sharply delineated feather tracts – an adult in non-breeding plumage.
Horned Grebe, Shirley’s Bay, Alan Short. Messey. Juvenile. The adult pattern is there, the shape is evident, but not all the feathers have been replaced by their adult form yet.
Hermit Thrush, Ottawa, Aaron Hywarren. A water feature in your yard will bring in migrants and residents that will rarely if ever approach a bird feeder. Feather maintenance is so important that birds will bathe if the air temperature is above zero. That’s a big sacrifice of energy in exchange for later performance.
American Pipit, Ottawa, Aaron Hywarren. Zoom in close and you can see the longer hind claw for walking on uneven ground like the longspurs. That theory certains fits this photo. Look for these on migration in Ottawa along the shores of the Ottawa River, or in the agricultural fields outside the urban area.
Hermit Thrush, Fletcher, Gillian Wright. Depending on lighting, this bird can appear red-brown or gray-brown, but notice that in both these pics, the primaries and the rump are redder than the rest of the bird.
Black-capped Chickadee, Mud Lake, Gillian Wright. Gillian photographed this individual last Feb and again this Oct. She submitted the band info and learned that this bird was first banded near Ottawa in 2019 and probably hatched in 2018 or earlier. This is considerably beyond the average 2.5 year life span for the species, although the record is over 12 years, so we may see this bird many more years.
Ross’s Goose (1) Oct 16, Boul. Gréber, Gatineau.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Oct 15, RN du Marais-Trépanier, Gatineau. (1) Oct 15-17, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark. (1) Oct 14, Landry Street, Clarence-Rockland, Prescott and Russell. (1) Oct 11, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Oct 17, Constance Bay, Ottawa. (1) Oct 12-16, Parc de la Gatineau–Lac Renaud, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (2) Oct 12, PN de Plaisance–Baie Noire (Est & Ouest), Papineau.
Common Tern (1) Oct 12, Ch Parker, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Green Heron (1) Oct 12, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Virginia Rail (2) Oct 15, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
Sora (1) Oct 15, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Common Gallinule (1) Oct 13-14, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper (1) Oct 15-16, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau, (1) Oct 15, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. (1) Oct 14, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa (1) Oct 14, Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Oct 16, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (1) Oct 14, Woodkilton, Ottawa. (1) Oct 14, Lac Phillippe, les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Oct 14, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Oct 14, Parc de la Gatineau–Relais Renaud, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Red-eyed Vireo (1) Oct 12, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Canada Jay (1) Was reported Oct 14, Champlain Park Woods-Remic Rapids Loop, Ottawa.
Veery (1) Oct 14-16, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Gray-cheeked Thrush (1) Oct 17, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (2) Oct 13, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Swainson’s Thrush (1) Oct 17, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (2) Oct 17, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Snow Bunting (3) Oct 16, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler (1) Oct 17, Rockcliffe Park Pavilion, Ottawa
Tennessee Warbler:
- (1) Oct 17, Rockcliffe parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s Creek, Ottawa.
- (1) Oct 14, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa.
- (1) Oct 13, Pine grove trail, Ottawa.
- (1) Oct 12, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
- (1) Oct 12, Rideau Canal Western Pathway, Ottawa.
- (1) Oct 11, Champlain Park Woods-Remic Rapids Loop, Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler (1) Oct 14, 16, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat (1) Oct 17, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark. (1) Oct 13, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
American Redstart (1) Oct 12, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Cape May Warbler (2) Oct 12, Deschenes, Gatineau. (1) Oct 10, Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa. (1) Oct 10, Bassin de rétention du Plateau, Gatineau.
Magnolia Warbler (1) Oct 11, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (1) Oct 14, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau.
Palm Warbler (1) Oct 17, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Indigo Bunting (1) Oct 14, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Atlas notes: Did you encounter a singing bird back in May? Have you seen fledged birds or adult birds carrying food in the summer? Do you have photographs of local species from this summer? If so, it is not too late to join one of Ontario’s largest citizen science projects by adding your observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. #youcanatlasthat anywhere in Ontario via the NatureCounts app, the Atlas website, or by taking 90 seconds to import an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 10 October 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
More fall changes as many lingering local breeders now show up as rare. Fox Sparrows are starting to show up.
American Goshawk, Andrew Hayden, Alan Short. The largest of our accipiters, as big as a buteo. Formerly known as Northern Goshawk it was officially declared a separate species from its European cousin in 2023. Longer than a Red-tailed hawk, its wings are much shorter, creating a very different look in flight.
Wild Turkey, Mud lake, Alan Short.
Red-breasted Merganser, Andrew Hayden, Alan Short. The brilliant red eye is an often overlooked difference from the dark-eyed Common Merganser.
Red-breasted Merganser, Andrew Hayden, Alan Short. The longer, thinner bill on the Red-breasted is another difference.
Lincoln’s Sparrow, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Derek has been sent more correctly identified Lincoln’s Sparrow’s this year than any previous fall. Was there a bigger influx this year?
Tennessee Warbler, Fletcher, Gillian Wright. That white undertail is the quickest way to tell a yellow Tennessee from an Orange-crowned Warbler. If that even is a real thing.
Adult Carolina Wren, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi. Crisp plumage, and a call that is too loud for its size.
Juvenile Carolina Wren, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi. Whenever you see a bird that looks ruffled, grumpy, and hungover, it’s either mid moult or a juv, as in the case of this bird.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Oct 09, Sedona Street, Ottawa. (1) Oct 04, Canaan Road, Prescott and Russell.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1) Oct 07, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. (1) Oct 04, dead bird, Greenbank Road just north of Fallowfield, Ottawa.
Common Nighthawk (1) Oct 05, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Sora (1) Oct 05, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa.
American Golden-Plover (40) Oct 10, Lafleur north of Colonial, Ottawa.
Ruddy Turnstone (1) Oct 05, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Common Tern (1) Reported Oct 04-05, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Ibis sp. (1) On Oct 07 an individual bird was reported flying over the Petrie Island Causeway. Given the habitat and the wave of Ibis this fall, it’s worth checking out.
Golden Eagle (1) Oct 04, Fox Run Storm Pond, Ottawa.
Broad-winged Hawk (1) Oct 04, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Oct 08, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Oct 04, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Eastern Kingbird (1) Oct 05, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Philadelphia Vireo (1) Oct 06, Beltown Park, Ottawa.
Warbling Vireo (1) Oct 04 Crystal Beach Greenspace, Ottawa.
Black-billed Magpie (1) Was reported Oct 06, Park-Bilberry Creek, Ottawa.
House Wren (1) Oct 07, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Oct 05, South March Highlands, Ottawa.
Wood Thrush (1) Oct 04, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa.
Veery (1) Oct 06, 09, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak (1) Oct 08, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow (1) Oct 05, River Trail at Island Park Drive, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee (1) Reported Oct 06, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Ovenbird (1) Oct 05, Britannia CA–Woods, Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler (3) Oct 08-10, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (2) Oct 08, Remic Rapids and Champlain Bridge area, Ottawa. (1) Oct 08, Parkside Greenspace, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat (1) Oct 09, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
American Redstart (1) Oct 06, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 3 October 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Seasonal change continues with the arrival of migrating White-crowned Sparrows, Rusty Blackbirds, and many Dark-eyed Juncos. White-winged Scoters returned to the Ottawa River.
Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi. Grebes eat feathers, often filling half their stomachs with their own feathers.
First winter Bonnaparte Gull, Mud Lake, Alan Short. Fascinating to watch fish, Bonnie’s can dive under the water from the air, and fly back out.
Adult male White-breasted Nuthatch, Mud lake, Alan Sharp. Females have a dark gray cap instead of that crisp black hat.
Adult Turkey Vulture, Crystal Beach, Alan Short.
Accipiter, Mud Lake, Alan Short.
Hermit Thrush, Gatineau Park, Scott Haldane.
Adult male Black-throated Blue Warbler, Mud Lake, Sai Wai Ip. Males and females sport very different plumage, but they share that white spot which really stands out in the shadows they often hunt in.
Rusty Blackbird, Mud Lake, Sai Wai Ip. The edge of Mud Lake in late Sept. or early Oct. is a great place to find this beautiful blackbird.
Black-capped Chickadee, Jack Pine, Sanam Goudarzi.
Adult Swamp Sparrow, Jack Pine, Sanam Goudarzi.
First fall Swamp Sparrow, Jack Pine, Sanam Goudarzi. One of the more confusing young sparrows, with hints of other species, especially Lincoln’s.
First fall Chipping Sparrow, Nepean, Derek Dunnett. Fun plumage that we only see briefly. The more familiar juveniles and adults are respectively streaky and crisp. This form is only around for a short time just before fall migration.
Trumpeter Swan (3) Sep 28, Stonecrest, Ottawa.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Oct 03, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1) Oct 01, Crystal Beach Greenspace, Ottawa.
Arctic Tern (1) Oct 01-02, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa. First winter bird.
Common Tern (1) Oct 02-03, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa. Both terns were seen together and photographed.
Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Oct 02, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Least Flycatcher (1) Sep 27, Rockcliffe parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s Creek, Ottawa.
Eastern Kingbird (1) Sep 27, Watts Creek pathway, Ottawa.
House Wren (1) Oct 03, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Oct 03, Richmond SE – Dobson Lane, Ottawa.
Wood Thrush (1) Sep 30, Shirley’s Bay and path, Ottawa.
American Tree Sparrow (1) Sep 30-Oct 01, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow (1) Oct 01, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark. (2) Continued to at least Sep 29, Constance Creek mouth, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee (1) Sep 29, Heaphy Rd, Ottawa. (1) Sep 27-30, Sarsaparilla Trail, Ottawa.
Black-and-white Warbler (2) Sep 28, Crazy Horse Trail, Ottawa. (1) Sep 28, Pine Grove Trail, Ottawa.
Bay-breasted Warbler (1) Sep 26, Parc Dalton, Gatineau.
Yellow Warbler (1) Sep 27, Ottawa.
Chestnut-sided Warbler (1) Sep 29, Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Mourning Warbler (1) Sep 29, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 26 September 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Low-key but decent birding. The cold front dramatically moved along the migration with an influx of late Sept migrants (especially waterfowl like Widgeon, pintail and Scaup). Also an unidentified Dowitcher (date favours Long-billed). The usual late September suspects, rare or not: Nelson Sparrows, Orange-crowned Warblers, Lincoln Sparrows for everybody, American Pipits in the fields and Gray-cheeked Thrushes sneaking through mostly unseen.
Nelson Sparrow, Ottawa, Aaron Hywarren. Migrating from their breeding grounds to coastal salt marshes for the winter, small numbers of Nelson Sparrows stop to fuel up in Ottawa. Look – or better yet – listen for them in extensive vegetation along rivers, lakes, and storm water ponds.
Lincoln Sparrow, Carleton Place, Janet McCullough. The Carleton Place Stormwater pond just off the 7 provided some fantastic birding in September. Even after the Glossy Ibis moved on, the variety of sparrows in close proximity made the trip worthwhile.
Common Mergansers, Mississippi River, Janet McCullough. This year’s birds. Those ‘teeth’ are semi-flexible structures called lamellae. Their form and use is species specific. In this case, great for holding onto slippery fish and crayfish. Shovelers on the other hand can use theirs to strain vegetation and invertebrates from the water.
White-throated Sparrows, Carleton Place, Janet McCullough. This year’s juvenile, starting to take on a more adult plumage. The colour of the stripe over the eye – tan in this case, white in others is unrelated to sex or age, although interestingly, it correlates to behaviour, with the white-striped form generally more aggressive. The two forms prefer the other form as mates, and each brood is roughly 50/50 tan- and white-striped. The colour (and presumably the behaviour) is controlled by a supergene.
Common Loon, Mississippi River, Janet McCullough.
Trumpeter Swans, Carleton Place, Janet McCullough. Swans have 24 or more neck vertebrae, compared to 7 for humans or 9 for parrots. Herons have 20-21.
Trumpeter Swan, Carleton Place, Janet McCullough. How big are swans? They are avian giants! More than twice the weight of Canada Goose, or 20 times the weight of this immature Ring-billed Gull.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Sep 21, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (2) Sep 25, Marlborough Forest–Roger’s Pond, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (4) Sep 20, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Sep 25, Ch Steele, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Common Nighthawk (3) Sep 19, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau.
Pacific Loon (1) Sep 26. Lake Dore. Outside the OFNC circle, but early and rare.
Least Bittern (1) Sep 22,Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa.
Olive-sided Flycatcher (1) Sep 22, Quarry – Ramsay Concession 5A, Mississippi Mills, Lanark.
Least Flycatcher (1) Sep 26, Rockcliffe Park Pavilion, Ottawa. (1) Sep 22, Whitney Road, Kemptville, Leeds and Grenville.
Grasshopper Sparrow (1) Sep 25, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow (1-3) continue in the usual spot on Constance Bay, Ottawa. (1-2) Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark. Many Lincoln, Savannah and Song Sparrows to practice streaky sparrow id with at the pond and in the surrounding area. (1) Rockcliffe airport woods, Ottawa. Look for these wherever suitable habitat is found.
Ovenbird (1) Sep 25, Brantwood Park, Ottawa.
Mourning Warbler (1) Sep 25, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Yellow Warbler (1) Sep 25, Brantwood Park, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 19 September 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Another great week. The star of the show this week is the Carleton Place Glossy Ibis, but subtler migrants such as Cackling Geese hide in plain sight, or skulk in the shadows like Gray-cheeked Thrushes and Nelson Sparrows.
Glossy Ibis, Carleton Place storm pond, Maureen Mark. A local celebrity for several days, the bird has disappeared. One showed up in Kingston which might be the same bird, or just part of the same dispersal event.
Juvenile Bald eagle, Wesley Clover Park/Watts Creek, Hank Greidanus. Hank saw this young eagle in a kettle with some Turkey Vultures. There are a lot of subtle differences between young Bald and Golden eagles, but the white auxiliaries (or armpits) make for an easy id in this case.
Peregrine Falcon, Carleton Place storm pond, Maureen Mark. The Glossy Ibis was feeding heavily at the pond when the Peregrine Falcon launched. The Glossy Ibis fled into the reeds.
Juvenile Eastern Phoebe, Ottawa, Sanam Goudarzi. This young bird has taken up residence in Sanam’s yard as it waits to migrate for the first time. The reddish brown fringes on the wing coverts identify it to species.
Solitary Sandpipers, WE Burton Conservation Area, Erin Durant. Erin saw the pair together frequently in August.
Orange-Crowned Warbler, Jack Pine Trail, Scott Haldane. Is it an Orange-crowned Warbler? Are any actually Orange-crowned real, or is this a made up species?
Blue-Headed Vireo, Frontenac Provincial Park, Scott Haldane.
Greater Yellowlegs, Carleton Place, Derek Dunnett.
Cackling Goose: (2) Sep 17, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (1) Sep 17, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (1) Sep 16, Richmond–Fox Run storm water ponds, Ottawa. (1) Sep 16, Kanata–Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. (8) Sep 14-15, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Glossy Ibis (1) Sep 13-18, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Golden Eagle (1) Sep 15, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Red-headed Woodpecker (4) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo (1) Sep 14, Rockcliffe parkway between Ogilvie and Green’s creek, Ottawa.
Loggerhead Shrike (1) Sep 12, Alfred Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. Outside the OFNC circle, but a great record and a reminder to check out the lagoons.
Evening Grosbeak (1) Sep 12, Belltown Park, Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow (3) Sep 14-18, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Eastern Towhee (1) Sep 18, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Sep 16, Old Quarry Trail, Ottawa,
Bobolink (1) Sep 18, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Baltimore Oriole (1) Sep 17, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler – (1) Sep 17-18, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Sep 14, Prescott-Russell Trail Link, Ottawa. (1) Sep 13, Parc Brébeuf, Gatineau. (1) Sep 13, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Mourning Warbler (1) Sep 18, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 12 September 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Male Hooded Warbler seen by mobs on a work day! Red Knot! Hudsonian Godwit! Whimbrel! Buff-breasted Sandpiper! An amazing two weeks of birding, no doubt because the compiler was away.
Juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Vars, Erin Durant. Obviously a woodpecker tail, but otherwise a first encounter with a brown woodpecker is always confusing.
Common Nighthawk, Queensway Terrace South, Alan Short. Not a hawk, no longer common. Otherwise, great name ornithology!
Lincoln Sparrow, Gatineau, Margaret Kenny. Short, fine and regular streaks and the nice beige wash on the flanks – a song sparrow in formal wear. Until the third week of September when they migrate through, a photo really helps with confirmation anywhere away from Mer Bleue.
Sparrow, Gatineau, Margaret Kenny.
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Terry Carisse Park, Nina Stavlund. Birds Canada’s 2024 Avian Ambassador.
Philadelphia Vireo, Ottawa, Sanam Goudarzi. Many of our fall vireos have a noticeable yellow wash, but this Philly is saturated with yellow.
Empidonax flycatcher, Ottawa, Sanam Goudarzi. Vacation Derek isn’t even going to try with this one.
Red-eyed Vireo, Ottawa, Sanam Goudarzi. Our most noticeable and large vireo. The red eye is not always easy to see, but that black edge to the crown is an easier mark.
Black-throated Green Warbler, Mud Lake, Scott Haldane.
Molting Eastern Bluebird, Vars, Erin Durant.
Redhead, Findlay Creek, Ielca Torok.
Tennessee Warblers, Mud Lake. Gillan Wright. Yellow morph on top, gray morph on bottom.
Juvenile Caspian Tern, Deschênes Rapids, Alan Short. Harassing some Ring-billed Gulls, this large tern does not respect the gull-tern hierarchy.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Sep 08, Kinburn Side Road, Ottawa.
Snow Goose (2) Sep 10-11, Carleton Place storm pond-Hwy 7, Lanark.
Canvasback (1) Sep 08, Halte routière, Lochaber, Papineau.
Whimbrel (1) Sep 07, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Hudsonian Godwit (1) Sep 07-08, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Red-necked Phalarope (1) Sep 09, Britannia CA–Filtration Plant/Point, Ottawa.
Red Knot (1) Sep 04-08, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1) Sep 03, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (300) Casselman, just outside the OFNC circle, but part of a trend with many observers commenting on the large numbers this year.
Broad-winged Hawk (426) A migration day at Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa, more than doubled the previous county eBird high count for this species.
Red-headed Woodpecker Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Sep 09, Fine Estate, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Sep 04, Champlain Park Woods-Remic Rapids Loop, Ottawa.
Olive-sided Flycatcher (1) Sep 07, Parc Martin Larouche, Gatineau. (1) Sep 08, Tery Caarisse Park, Ottawa
Alder Flycatcher (2) Sep 12, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Orange-crowned Warbler (1) Sep 12, Rideau River Eastern Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. (1) Sep 11, Richmond SW – Joys Rd south of Garvin Rd, Ottawa.
Hooded Warbler (1) Sep 11, North River Rd, Ottawa (in a treed area in the park south of the Rideau Tennis Club).
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 22 August 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A warbler fallout at Britannia CA on Aug 22 created a lot of happy birders, at least among those not stuck at work. Some birders found 22 species of warbler there today. Shorebird variety is increasing even if habitat is very limited.
Black-throated Green Warbler, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Gillian Wright.
Caspian Tern, Deschenes Rapids, Alan Short.
Spotted Sandpiper, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi. Zoom in and see how worn the feathers appear.
Wilson Warbler, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Gillian Wright.
Great Crested Flycatcher, Mud Lake, Alan Short.
Chestnut-sided warbler, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi. This bird sports clean and fresh adult non-breeding plumage, but the yellow gape at the base of the bill gives away that it was born this summer.
Downy Woodpecker, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Gillian Wright. Most birds examining sumac this time of year are gleaning insects. By late winter though, many residents will switch to eating the sumac itself. And then propagating the seeds far from the parent tree.
Herring Gulls, Deschenes Rapids, Alan Short. Herring Gulls have brown feathers and black bill tips into their second winter. Full crisp adult plumage will wait for year 4.
Blackburnian Warbler, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi.
Great Blue Heron, Deschenes Rapids, Alan Short.
Cape May Warbler, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi.
Osprey, Deschenes Rapids, Alan Short.
Northern Parula, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi.
Trumpeter Swan (2) Aug 20, March Road, Ottawa.
Common Goldeneye (1) Aug 20-21, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (1) Aug 17, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Lesser Scaup (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (2) Aug 19, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (6) Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (5) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Whimbrel (11) Aug 18, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Red-necked Phalarope (1) Aug 19, Constance Bay Beach-The Point, Ottawa. Baird’s, White-rumped Sandpipers and other species present.
Least Bittern (1) Aug 17, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (2) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Philadelphia Vireo – everywhere and no longer seasonally rare.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3) Aug 22, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Aug 16, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 15 August 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
As we enter the fall birding season, this is an opportune time to remind birders and photo-enthusiasts alike that we must always respect private property. The Ottawa Field Naturalists Club, the Ontario Field Ornithologists, and Birds Canada/American Birding Association all have long-standing Codes of Conduct that are quite clear regarding expected behaviour in the field: do not enter private property without the owner’s explicit permission. In many instances there are safety and/or liability issues at play and there are very good reasons – including personal danger – to heed signs and fence lines, and stay clear of a site. Remember that you are ambassadors for our pastime.
Red-eyed Vireo, Alta Vista, Christopher Clunas. The brilliant red eye needs just the right conditions to be visible in the field. But the dark border on the gray crown makes for an easy ID even without the red.
Common Loon, Tay River, Janet McCullough. Instead of the tiny black chick of a month ago, the juvenile is approaching adult size and has overgrown the juvenile plumage.
Eastern Kingbird, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi. Young bird eating a berry, probably Buckthorn.
Cape May Warbler, Mud Lake, Alan Short.
Bonaparte’s Gull, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi.
Bay-breasted Warbler, Mud Lake, Alan Short. In the fall they can look like Pine Warblers, so it’s not surprising that they are part of the same genus.
Least Flycatcher, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi.
Blackburnian Warbler, Mud Lake, Alan Short.
Orange-crowned Warbler, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi. One of migration’s later and more sought after warblers, no one will believe a record before mid-September without a photo.
Warbling Vireo, Mud Lake, Sanam Goudarzi. Many vireos show a yellow wash in the fall, the amount varying between species and even individuals of the same species. Warbling tend to have more yellow on the sides. Phillies will show the most yellow in the throat, although some very bright birds just drip with yellow everywhere.
Great Blue Heron, Andrew Haydon, Alan Short. Immature.
Scarlet Tanager, Alta Vista, Christopher Clunas. First year bird – mind the gape. Another bird spreading Buckthorn.
Common Gallinule, Tay River, Janet McCullough. Like the loon chicks, the gallinule young have outgrown their initial black plumage and molted into a dull gray. In both cases their new low contrast appearances should help survival.
Pied-billed Grebe, Tay River, Janet McCullough. Another immature.
Common Goldeneye (3) Aug 14, Carp River southeast of Carp, Ottawa. (1) Aug 14, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Lesser Scaup (1) Aug 13, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Aug 12, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (3) Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Scope usually required.
Whimbrel – Heavy rain on the 10th grounded Whimbrel in a couple of locations briefly, but they were soon migrating again.
Least Bittern (1) Aug 15, Bruce Pit, Ottawa. (1) Aug 10, Ch Stonecrest, Ottawa. (1) Aug 09, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (1) Aug 09, Almonte Lagoons, Lanark.
Red-headed Woodpecker (2) Constance Bay, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1) Aug 12-14, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Aug 14, Greenbelt Trail 51, Ottawa. (1) Aug 14, Richmond SE – Bowrin Rd, Ottawa. (1) Aug 14, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Aug 11, Stanley Park, Ottawa. (1) Aug 10, Dolman Ridge Road, Ottawa.
Philadelphia Vireo – several early reports.
Pine Siskin (1) Aug 12, Britannia CA–Britannia Ridge, Ottawa.
Dark-eyed Junco (2) Aug 14, Petrie Island, Ottawa. (2) Aug 13, River Trail at Island Park Drive, Ottawa. (1) Aug 12, Equine Way, Ottawa. 4 of the 5 were immature birds.
Orange-crowned Warbler (1) Aug 10, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Record early. Any report of this species before mid September needs to be well documented (as this one was with a good photo).
Atlas notes: Though peak bird breeding period in Southern Ontario is wrapping up for this year, there is still plenty of evidence to be seen – and heard – in support of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Please consider converting your eBird reports or those outings to capture incredible bird photographs into valuable data that will help shape conservation efforts for years to come. As the summer progresses, it doesn’t matter if you are walking the dog at home, visiting your friend’s cottage, or enjoying a break in a favourite Provincial Park: almost every bird you encounter can be easily added to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, a once in a generation province-wide community-science effort.
For more information on how to be a part of the community of more than 230 Ottawa Region observers who are contributing their observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, please visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 8 August 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
It’s flycatcher season! There are small numbers of yellow-bellied and olive-sided in the region, and the next 3-4 weeks are the best chance to see them for the year. Philadelphia Vireos have arrived and the migrant Black-billed Cuckoos are still around.
Mourning Warbler, Gatineau Park, Margaret Kenny. The black flecks in what will eventually be the classic necklace reveal this young bird as a first fall male.
Broadwing Hawk, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. The dark eyes of this juvenile will become brighter and lighter as it matures. #YouCanAtlasThat
Solitary Sandpiper, South Nation River, Scott Haldane.
Lesser Yellowlegs, South Nation River, Scott Haldane.
American Redstart, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Gregory Zbitnew. Greg shares: Although migration is well underway, at the Rockcliffe airport woods this young bird, still with some downy feathers, was sitting almost motionless on a fairly exposed branch making the occasional high-pitched call. The mother was coming by regularly with some delicious looking insects. This species is a common nester in this spot, as it is in so many places. #YouCanAtlasThat
Green Heron, Tay River, Perth, Janet McCullough.
Northern Waterthrush, Britannia Ridge, Sanam Goudarzi. The river shoreline at Britannia is a great spot to catch southbound waterthrush.
Caspian Tern, Deschênes Rapids, Alan Short. Most terns are small, delicate flyers that glean small fish or invertebrates from the water. The Caspian never got the memo.
Double-crested Cormorants, Deschênes Rapids, Alan Short. It’s always worth scanning through the rapids. How many species can you pick out?
Ring-billed Gulls, Deschênes Rapids, Alan Short.
Bonaparte Gull, Britannia, Alan Short.
American Goldfinch, Britannia Ridge, Alan Short. Not just a great photo op, Viper’s Bugloss is used by many pollinators as well.
Mourning Warbler, Pine Grove, Gillian Wright. Pretty sure we’ve never had two people submit Mourning Warbler photos in the same week. They are generally too skulky. Unlike the Gatineau bird, this young Ontario bird can be atlassed.
Trumpeter Swan (1) Aug 03, Stonecrest rail trail, Ottawa.
Common Goldeneye (1), Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (up to 6) Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Various ages. (2) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Scope usually required.
Least Bittern (1) Aug 04, Didsbury Road Scrape – Carp Watershed Restoration Area, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (5) Constance Bay, Ottawa. (1) Up to Jul 04 at least, Ottawa Valley Rail Recreational Trail near Almonte., Lanark. Between Smart St. and CR #29.
Olive-sided Flycatcher (1) Aug 04-06, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Aug 05-06, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Aug 02, Former rail trail west of Stonecrest Road, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1) Aug 03, 6-08, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Aug 02, 06-08, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Aug 02, Ottawa–Nortel Marsh, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo (1) Aug 06, Stittsville Ottawa.
Philadelphia Vireo (1-3) Aug 04-08, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. (1) Aug 03, 06-08, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Aug 04, Greenbelt Trail 10, Ottawa.
Sedge Wren (1) Stittsville–Trans Canada Trail, Ottawa. Continuing close to the platform.
eBird tip: At this time of year birds will sing variations on their normal songs making it all the more important to be cautious of voice identifications including suggestions offered by Merlin; visual confirmations are recommended for out of season migrants.
Atlas notes: Though peak bird breeding period in Southern Ontario is wrapping up for this year, there is still plenty of evidence to be seen – and heard – in support of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Please consider converting your eBird reports or those outings to capture incredible bird photographs into valuable data that will help shape conservation efforts for years to come. As the summer progresses, it doesn’t matter if you are walking the dog at home, visiting your friend’s cottage, or enjoying a break in a favourite Provincial Park: almost every bird you encounter can be easily added to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, a once in a generation province-wide community-science effort.
For more information on how to be a part of the community of more than 230 Ottawa Region observers who are contributing their observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, please visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 1 August 2024
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
The warbler floodgates opened: Tennessee, Cape May and Bay-breasted went from rare to common this week as migrants flooded the region. The wave of Black-billed Cuckoos continues and these migrants are also suddenly everywhere. Solitary Sandpipers have returned too.
Adult Black-billed Cuckoo, Kilmaurs Side Road, Tony Beck. Returning South, a wave of Black-billed Cuckoos arrived recently and are easier heard than seen. Unlike Brown-headed Cowbirds which are obligate brood parasites, North American cuckoos raise most of their young themselves in ordinary bird nests like ordinary song birds.
Bay-breasted Warbler, Mud Lake, Catherine Lawrence. Non-breeding Bay-breasted and non-breeding Blackpoll warblers look so alike that there is a special category for them in eBird. They can be told apart, especially with good photos, and right now is a great time to study Bay-breasted, as they migrate earlier than Blackpolls.
Female Black-and-white Warbler, Penyck Lake, Janet McCullough. This is a female as revealed by the white throat and pale auriculars (feather track covering the ears).
Grasshopper Sparrow, Burnt Lands, Sanam Goudarzi. This beautiful species will eventually reveal itself as the males love to sing their mysterious song while perched visibly in overgrown fields full of low bunches. Brunt Lands is a great spot for them in July and careful patience will result in tripping the eBird numbers filter.
American Redstart, Britannia Ridge, Sanam Goudarzi.
Cedar Waxwing, Britannia Ridge, Sanam Goudarzi.
Bald Eagle, Mud lake, Alan Short.
Osprey, Mud lake, Alan Short.
House Finch, Mud lake, Alan Short.
House Sparrows, Queensway Terrace South, ALan Short. Parent feeding three young birds. Many species are still displaying breeding behaviour that is atlasible. And there is a whole year left for the atlas project. It is not too late to join. At least one OFNC member did join this week, adding their valuable contributions.
Spotted Sandpiper, Mud lake, Alan Short. Plumage-wise, this gorgeous bird does not look like those breeding birds that showed up in Spring and hung around all Summer. Non-breeding and immature birds have no spots. They do have that lovely white spur at the shoulder. When visible, it is a dead giveaway.
Song Sparrow, Mud Lake, Scott Haldane. Buffy color everywhere, no center spot, surely this must be something more exotic than a Song Sparrow? Song Sparrows show incredible variability in plumage and surprising differences in size.
Spotted Sandpiper, Nepean pond Park, Jim Robertson. Another way to identify a Spottie at a distance is the distinctive up and down tail bob. A few other shorebirds bob, especially with the front of their body, but the Spottie’s tail bob is very easy to id, and this individual is at the bottom of the bob. Compare to the mid-bob position of bird 11. The bob is so ingrained that it starts in the egg before hatching.
Common Goldeneye (3), Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (3) Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Red-headed Woodpecker (2) Constance Bay, Ottawa. (1) Jul 29, Ottawa Valley Rail Recreational Trail near Almonte., Lanark. Between Smart St. and CR #29.
Sedge Wren (3) Stittsville–Trans Canada Trail, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo (2) Sheila McKee park. (1) Jul 30, Ch. de la Sapinière, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Not enough new birds this week? Take a drive outside the OFNC circle to the Alfred Lagoons where both a regionally rare Long-billed Dowitcher and a Red-necked Phalarope were photographed this week.
Atlas notes: We request that anyone who documented the Common Goldeneye family when the young were small (at Mud Lake) please add them to the atlas. This is a very significant record and has not been recorded yet.
Though peak bird breeding period in Southern Ontario is wrapping up for this year, there is still plenty of evidence to be seen – and heard – in support of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Please consider converting your eBird reports or those outings to capture incredible bird photographs into valuable data that will help shape conservation efforts for years to come. As the summer progresses, it doesn’t matter if you are walking the dog at home, visiting your friend’s cottage, or enjoying a break in a favourite Provincial Park: almost every bird you encounter can be easily added to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, a once in a generation province-wide community-science effort.
For more information on how to be a part of the community of more than 230 Ottawa Region observers who are contributing their observations to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, please visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org