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Ottawa and area bird sightings to 1 January 2026
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Happy New Year! Lots of great birds around to fill in your fresh year lists. May all your eBird lists be confirmed.
Yellow-headed Blackbird, by Sheila Craig. One of the stars of the Christmas Bird Count Season, this bird should probably be in Arizona or further south right now. Habits and habitat requirements are very similar to our Red-winged Blackbird, but the yellow-head is a little larger and will bully the red-wingeds for prime nest spots.
Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur, Akins Road, by Mike Traub. In our region, Laplands are almost always found in flocks of Buntings. This picture nicely captures how the Bunting is a little larger and a lot heavier. They also share the long spur – the long backfacing talon (visible on the Longspur) common to some grassland birds.
Pine Grosbeak, Crystal Beach green space (off Solva Drive), by Sanam Goudarzi. Pine Grosbeaks have been everywhere this winter so far. The Crystal Beach green space has been one of the more reliable spots. As Sanam’s photo shows, lots of fruit remains this week, so the spot should be productive for a while.
Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs, Stittsville area, by Deborah Mosher. Deborah encountered a flock of 200 Buntings, with a few Longspurs mixed in. How many can you find in the photo? Noticing which bird is not like the others is a great skill for birders to develop.
Wild Turkey, Casselman, by Erik Pohanka. A great reminder that Wild Turkeys can and do fly.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (male), Jack Pine Trail, by Erik Pohanka.
Red-tailed Hawk, Carleton U, by Igor Kabic. Munching on Rock Pigeon.
Barrow’s and Common Goldeneye, Carleton U, by Igor Kabic. The crescent is an easy fieldmark in good light, but notice how different the head shape is. You could id these ducks in near darkness by shape.
Common Merganser, Carleton U, by Igor Kabic. At first glance, it’s hard to parse this image. Zoom in, and it’s a male Common Merg attempting to swallow an impossibly large Smallmouth Bass. But the Merg eventually succeeded.
Western Meadowlark, Panmure Rd, by Steve Strauss. The bird’s plumage makes more sense in the brief moment between the rain and the return of the snow.
Wood Duck (1) Dec 27, Donnelly Drive, Merrickville, Ottawa.
Northern Pintail (1) Dec 09-30, Stittsville-Hickstead pond, Ottawa. Female. (1) Dec 31, Findlay Creek stormwater finishing ponds, Ottawa. (1) Dec 29, Vincent Massey/Hog’s Back Parks, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Bate Island, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1-2) Dec 01-Jan 01, Stony Swamp (Trailhead P11), Ottawa. (1) Dec 21-31 Old Quarry Trail (in the red pine plantation), Ottawa. So many Blackbacks reported outside the circle. This is a major irruption.
Tufted Titmouse (1) Dec 14-Jan 01, Lewis St, Salisbury pl, Waverly Street, that block.
Gray Catbird (1) Dec 28, Phelan Rd, Ottawa.
Hermit Thrush (1) Britannia CA–Britannia Ridge, Ottawa. (1) Rainbow Cr, Ottawa.
Carolina Wren (1) Dec 28, Legion Road, Wakefield, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Fox Sparrow (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Owl Valley Dr, Ottawa. (1) Fernbank Road, Ottawa. (1) Dec 29, Forestview Cr, Ottawa, Ontario.
Yellow-headed Blackbird (1) Highway 17. On private property.
Western Meadowlark (1) Dec 07-Jan 01, Panmure Road, Kinburn, Ottawa. Patience may be required. Watch for it to sneak from the hay bales to the small spruce just behind the cedars.
Eastern Meadowlark (1) Dec 27, Promontory Road entrance, Donnelly Dr., Ottawa.
Red-winged Blackbird (2) Fernbank Road, Ottawa. (6) Burnt Lands Rd, Ottawa. (2) Dec 31, Carronbridge Cir, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 11 December 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Looking for a Christmas Bird Count in the OFNC Study Area? See Christmas-Bird-Count-Calendar-2025-26-Revised.pdf for a list of local CBCs, dates and contact info.
Tufted Titmouse, Centretown, by Jamie Muise. Titmouse Winter continues in the OFNC Circle, although this co-operative individual is the first to be seen by many birders. It was discovered by the Centretown CBC team of Jamie, Autumn Jordan, and Sarah Dixon, a reminder that great birds are hiding out there unremarked, even in urban settings full of people. This photo seems typical of this individual, who seems to prefer grabbing the biggest nut it can find on each trip to the feeder.
Redpoll, Centretown, by Jamie Muise. Another downtown surprise for the CBC.
Lapland Longspur, Akins Rd, by Sanam Goudarzi. When longspurs are present in a flock of buntings, they are easy to spot, especially in fight – they pop out darker and grayer than the buntings. But up close, they are just as colorful.
Bohemian Waxwing, Britannia, by Gregory Zbitnew. Greg says Bohemian Waxwings aren’t common this year, but this was one of about 20 at Britannia this year. He likes how it appears to be looking on with great anticipation at the next juniper berry it will be eating. There are so many choices, it can’t decide on which one it will be.
Northern Shrike, Vars, by Erin Durant. That tip of a small branch posture is common to shrikes, making them easier to spot at the top of trees and shrubs. A distant softball on the top of a small tree? Look closer every time.
Bald Eagle (adult), Vars, by Erin Durant. Erin notes that the eagles are not usually seen in Vars, but they have been feeding on a large animal carcass, indicating that they have large patrol areas.
Bald eagle, immature, Vars, by Erin Durant. Perhaps a 3rd year bird? The dark feathers on the head will soon be replaced by white ones, while the white on the breast will be replaced by dark as it approaches adult plumage.
Pine Grosbeak, Crystal Beach green space, by Sheila Craig. Sheila says there is so much fruit there that it will take the birds a long time to devour it all.
American Coot (and female Mallard), Stittsville–Hickstead Storm Pond, by Sheila Craig. Open water makes for strange companions. This coot is diving for food on the bottom while the mallards dabble from the surface.
Western Meadowlark, Panmure Rd, by Maureen Mark. Note the ‘faded’ look to the back and low contrast head.
Western Meadowlark, Panmure Rd, by Sheila Craig. That yellow is so bright against the snow, but imagine how the bird blends into summer and fall grasses when it is where it is supposed to be.
Rough-legged Hawk, Shirley’s Bay, by Maureen Mark. A lovely light morph juvenile.
Wood Duck (1) Billings Bridge, Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Northern Pintail (1) Dec 09-11, Stittsville-Hickstead pond, Ottawa. Female. (1) Dec 11, Etang Grimes, Gatineau. (1) Dec 05, Aylmer, Baie Fraser, Gatineau.
American Coot (1) Dec 07-11, Stittsville-Hickstead pond, Ottawa
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Rideau River Western Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. Check any suitable open river habitat – there are more out there.
Dunlin (1) Dec 06, Ottawa River Pathway A, Ottawa.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Dec 07-08, Stittsville–Hickstead Storm Pond, Ottawa,
Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Dec 01- 08, Stony Swamp (Trailhead P11), Ottawa.
Lapland Longspur (1-4) Technically not rare, but challenging to find some winters, 4 of them are very accommodating near the road after the snow. Lots of Horned Larks and Snow Buntings as well in the Akins, Brownlee, Rushmore area.
Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow (1) Dec 06, rue du Plein-Air, Gatineau.
Lincoln’s Sparrow (1) Dec 05-08, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Owl Valley Dr, Ottawa. (1) Dec 10, Fernbank Road, Ottawa.
(1) Dec 06, Seguinbourg Rd, The Nation, Prescott and Russell.
Western Meadowlark (1) Dec 07-11, Panmure Road, Kinburn, Ottawa. Patience may be required. The 17th(?) Western Meadowlark in the OFNC study area, but the first in winter.
Orange-crowned Warbler (1) Dec 04, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 4 December 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
A couple of late warblers. Lots of interesting late birds.
Pine Grosbeak, Fifth Line Rd, by Nina Stavlund. Munching away on buckthorn.
Bald Eagle, Rideau River PP, by Scott Haldane. In Sept. 2023, Scott set himself a goal to visit all 104 birding sites listed by the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club . He recently completed his quest at the Rideau River Provincial Park with a bald eagle.
Merlin, Mer Bleue, by Dahlia Ippolito. Merlins have made an impressive comeback in population, partly because of their ability to adapt to different habitats, including towns and cities, and apparently frozen bogs.
Hairy Woodpecker, Mer Bleue, by Dahlia Ippolito. How to safely id this bird with no Downy for size comparison? The relatively longer bill and the clean white tail feathers.
Black-backed Woodpecker, P11, by David Weldon. A trio – 2 males and a female were seen on the trails south of NCC Greenbelt P11. At least one of the males was drumming and David witnessed some aggressive interactions between the males.
Black-backed Woodpecker, P11, by David Weldon. One of those interactions where the males were aggressively flapping or raising their wings at one another.
Western Meadowlark, Panmure Road, by Brian Morin. Is this vagrant doomed? Not necessarily – meadowlarks are tough short-to-medium distance migrants, and may overwinter on the breeding grounds in mild conditions. Why is it here? Possibly a 90% degree migration map error.
Western Meadowlark, Panmure Road, by Brian Morin. Normally it’s challenging to separate Eastern and Western meadowlarks when no one is singing, but there don’t appear to be any Eastern Meadowlarks within hundreds of miles (according to eBird). Actual id traits include a yellow malar and the low contrast head.
Lincoln’s Sparrow, Mud Lake, by Steve Strauss. According to eBird, the only Lincoln Sparrow left in Canada (outside BC). But they are very sneaky, so ….
Tundra Swan (2) Nov 18-29, Petrie Island, Ottawa. Juveniles. Sometimes visible from the small parking just north of the bridge.
Wood Duck (1) Dec 02, Ottawa River Pathway Between Ogilvie Rd And Greens Creek, Ottawa. (2) Dec 02, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Dec 01, Billings Bridge, Ottawa.
Green-winged Teal (1) Nov 30, Dec 02, Rideau Canal–Black Rapids Lock, Ottawa,
Northern Pintail (1) Dec 03, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Dec 01, Rideau Canal Western Pathway, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye Dec 03, Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Ottawa. Rideau River Western Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa. Rideau Canal–Black Rapids Lock, Ottawa. Check any suitable open river habitat.
Belted Kingfisher (1) Dec 03, Last Mile Rd, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (3) Dec 01- 03, Stony Swamp (Trailhead P11), Ottawa. 2 males, 1 female. (1) Dec 04, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Dec 02, Rockcliffe parkway between Ogilvie and green’s creek, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Dec 01, Rue de la Lobo, Gatineau.
Swainson’s Thrush (1) Dec 02, Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa,
Hermit Thrush (1) Dec 03, Britannia CA–Britannia Ridge, Ottawa. (1) Nov 30, Bel Air fields, Ottawa. (1) Nov 29, Rainbow cres, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow (1) Dec 01, Forêt Boucher, Gatineau. (1) Dec 01, Parc Champlain, Gatineau. (1) Nov 30, Rue de Saint-Malo, Gatineau. (1) Nov 30, Lincoln Heights Rd, Ottawa,.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Dec 02, Rue Ratier, Gatineau. (2) Dec 04, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Hanging out at the manure pile, where eventually something really rare is going to show up.
Red-winged Blackbird (1) Dec 02, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. (3) Dec 01, Fernbank Road, Ottawa. (1) Dec 04, Burnt Lands Rd, Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler (1) Nov 30, Britannia, Ottawa.
Bay-breasted Warbler (1) Nov 30, Rideau Tennis Club, Ottawa.
Looking for a Christmas Bird count near you? Find one at: Christmas Bird Count – Birds Canada | Oiseaux Canada
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 27 November 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Looks like a great Christmas Bird count season if all the winter finches stick around. How to find them? Look for trees and shrubs holding lots of fruit for grosbeaks, or birches and weedy fields for redpolls. What about more exotic fare? Some birding gurus point to the impending dropping temps around James Bay to push migrants and vagrants along the Ottawa River. Could be a good time for river watching. But when isn’t?
Leucistic Canada Goose, Mud lake, by Scott Haldane. Leucism affects feathers that grow out while the bird is stressed. It can be sparse like this case, or cover the entire bird. Light Leucism like this is unlikely to affect the bird much. But white feathers are weaker than dark ones, and large patches on the wings reduce the chances of survival.
Greater White-fronted Goose, Embrum, by Jon Ruddy. Where’s the white front? Absent on juveniles like this one.
Black-backed Woodpecker, Mer Bleue, by Steve Strauss. This is such a great example photo for the species. Typical woodpecker posture, braced off the branch by the stiff tail, three toes so unusual for birds, and that crazy tongue–so long it wraps around the brain at rest, and capable of penetrating deep into the tunnels left by wood-eating insects.
Tufted Titmouse, Carp, by David O’Neill. David had the thrilling experience of a pair of titmice at his feeder for a couple of hours, caching peanuts as if they planned to stick around. There have been several titmice reported in the region in the last month, but none has lingered.
Evening Grosbeak, Old Quarry, by Sanam Goudarzi. The winter finch invasion continues.
Pine Grosbeak, Carp, by David O’Neill. Many small flocks of both winter grosbeaks are scattered all over the region, wherever there is fruit left on trees. Don’t wait for January to seek them out – when the food is gone, so are they.
Ross’s Goose (1) Nov 25, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Snow x Ross’s Goose (hybrid) (2) Nov 24-25, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Nov 22, 25, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell. (1) Nov 25, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (2) Nov 18-27, Petrie Island, Ottawa. Juveniles. Sometimes visible from the small parking just north of the bridge.
Wood Duck (1) Nov 24,Russell Lagoons, Prescott and Russel.
Northern Shoveler (2) Nov 25, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck (1) Nov 05-23, Billings Bridge/Clifford Allen Island, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (2) Rideau River Western Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. (1) Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (1) Dow’s lake. ( (1) Nov 20, Champlain Park Woods, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Nov 24, Old Highway 17, Prescott and Russell. (1) Nov 22, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Nov 27, Pinhey Sand Dunes, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Nov 25, Old Union Hall Road, Lanark. Probably just outside the OFNC circle, but further evidence of a big movement of Black-backs. (1) Nov 23, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa. (1-2) Nov 19-22, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Nov 21, Poulin Ave, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (2) Nov 21-22, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Swainson’s Thrush (1) Nov 26, Mississippi Riverwalk Trail, Lanark.
Hermit Thrush (1) Nov 23, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow (1) Nov 21-23, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa. (1) Nov 22, Central Experimental Farm Arboretum, Ottawa. (2) Nov 22, Hawthorne Road, Ottawa. (1) Nov 21, Parc Queen, Gatineau. (1) Nov 21, Dewberry Trail, Ottawa.
Varied Thrush (1) Nov 16-22, Almonte–OVRT Almonte to Smart St., Lanark.
White-crowned Sparrow (1) Nov 25, Owl Valley Dr, Ottawa. (1) Nov 24, Fernbank Road, Ottawa.
Eastern Towhee (1) Nov 25, Keyworth Avenue, Ottawa. (1) Nov 25, Patricia Ave, Ottawa.
Rusty Blackbird (1) Nov 23, Prescott-Russel Trail Link, Ottawa,
Orange-crowned Warbler (1) Nov 27, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 20 November 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Another, smaller Red-throated Loon flight of 13 at Shirley’s bay on Nov 20.
Barrow’s Goldeneye, Clifford Allen Island (just upriver from Billings Bridge), by Aaron Hywarren. The facial crescent looks very different from head on, but the white spots on a black black also id this bird. Common Goldeneye drakes have white backs with black lines, almost the inverse.
Harlequin Duck, Clifford Allen Island, by Aaron Hywarren. As is fairly common with first year birds, this drake was first reported as female-type. Why the ‘type’? Young males of many species are indistinguishable from females in the field before their breeding plumage starts to come in. Aaron notes that: The “spurs” are now obvious, the facial markings are coming in, and the “ear arcs” are starting to come in.
Black-backed Woodpeckers, Mer Bleue, by Igor Kabic. The male follows the female, his yellow cap barely visible.
Black-backed Woodpecker, Mer Bleue, by Igor Kabic. Igor caught the three-toed foot, a design this species shares with the American Three-toed Woodpecker.
Varied Thrush, Almonte, by Aaron Hywarren. Interesting that this bird is directly south of last winter’s bird. Same individual? Trick of geography?
Carolina Wren, Stonehedge Park, by Ian McConnachie. Our only non-migrating wren. Although a Winter Wren or two will over-winter every year, Carolinas don’t migrate at all.
American Goldfinch, Shirley’s Bay, by Janet McCullough. Eating Amur Maple seeds. Considered invasive in the Great lakes region, this ornamental is at least nourishing the finches.
Snow Geese, Embrum, by Janet McCullough. Snow Geese stage spring and fall in the agricultural lands south-east of the OFNC circle.
Ross’s Goose (4) Nov 15, Rte 200, Russell, Prescott and Russell.
Mute Swan (1) Nov 15, 19, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (2) Nov 18-19, Petrie Island (Causeway), Ottawa. Juveniles.
Harlequin Duck (1) Nov 05-20, Billings Bridge/Clifford Allen Island, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (2) Rideau River Western Pathway north of Hurdman Bridge, Ottawa. (2) Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (2) Dow’s lake. (2) Andrew Haydon Park.
Wilson’s Snipe (1) Nov 11-15, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Nov 15, Kars, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1-2) Nov 20, Pinhey Forest, Ottawa (presumably continuing). (2) Nov 19-20, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa. Male & female hanging out together. (1) Nov 18, Stony Swamp (Trailhead P11), Ottawa. Possible in any spruce/pine forest in the region.
Blue-headed Vireo (1) Nov 14, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Varied Thrush (1) Nov 16-19, Almonte–OVRT Almonte to Smart St., Lanark.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1) Nov 14, 18-19, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Chipping Sparrow (1) Nov 19, Brantwood Park, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 13 November 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
An exciting high count of 125 Red-throated Loons migrating along the river on Nov 11. Lots of late birds and winter finches. And two separate Tufted Titmice. What else is out there?
Northern Pintail (male), Andrew Haydon Park, by Steve Strauss. The males of the species–such as this one–are unmistakable. Blue, green, white, black and several shades of brown? This is a fancy bird. Mostly a migrant in our region, we can see individuals or small flocks any month of the year. But on the right week in the spring, the flooded farm fields of Eastern Ontario can host flocks of hundreds or even thousands.
Eastern Towhee (male), Brackenridge, by Ann Lambert. Another local breeder, but with a more demanding and limited habitat choice. One of the best places to hear and see them loudly and aggressively defend their territories is Burnt Lands Provincial Park in spring and summer. This is another tough bird that mostly migrates south, but can be seen any month of the year in Ottawa.
Baltimore Oriole (male), Bells Corners, by Juanita Sauve. Despite a well-deserved reputation for enjoying dark fruit, these members of the blackbird family eat mainly insects during their summers in Canada. Local breeders, look for their woven nests, usually hanging near water. Unlike the previous two species, Orioles are rare outside May-Sept.
Ross’s Goose (1) Oct 28-Nov 08, Bruce Pit, Ottawa. (1) Nov 08, Embrun Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Nov 13, Ottawa River Pathway (view of Britannia Bay), Ottawa.
Tundra Swan (2) Nov 11, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck (1) Nov 05-013, Billings Bridge/Clifford Allen Island, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Nov 12, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (1) Nov 11, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Nov 10, Porcupine Tr, Ottawa. (1) Nov 08, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (1) Nov 09, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Snipe (1) Nov 11, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. (1) Nov 10, Moodie Drive, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Nov 11, Elmvale Acres, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Nov 10, Stony Swamp (Trailhead P11), Ottawa.
Tufted Titmouse (1) Nov 13, North Gower. (1) Nov 10, Gilmour Street, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Nov 06-13, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa. (1) Nov 08, Derreen Ave, Ottawa. (1) Nov 08, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Nov 08, Parc Guillot & Marais Lamoureux, Gatineau.
Eastern Towhee (1) Nov 12, Woodlawn, Ottawa.
Baltimore Oriole (1) Nov 13, Oberon Street, Bell’s Corners, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 6 November 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
More scattered reports of winter finches. Lots of great waterfowl around.
Northern Shrike, Bruce Pit, by Margaret Kenny. Loggerhead Shrikes breed in small numbers in Ontario. But in the fall they migrate south, and their northern neighbour, the Northern Shrike sub-lets their territories for the fall and winter.
Harlequin Duck, Billing’s Bridge, by Margaret Kenny. Harlequins are neither supposed to breed nor winter around here, but one spent the summer in the rapids near Chelsea and now this one feeding in the rapids just upriver from Billings Bridge. When not diving, look for it hiding along the shore. In both rivers and on the coast, Harlequins take the roughest niches. Consequently, most adults live with multiple healed fractures (allaboutbirds.org).
Red-throated Loon, Brewer Park, by Igor Rogi. Some years, we see only a handful of this small loon. Other years weather creates fallout conditions such as on Tuesday Nov 11 when hundreds were seen migrating through. But instead of just flying through, this bird stopped to rest or refuel, giving unusually great views.
Northern Mockingbird, Nepean, Trailcam. How kind of Derek’s trail cam to record this mocker sneak into Derek’s backyard birdbath while he was in the front doing yardwork. Can Derek eBird this sighting? No, eBird protocol requires a human observer.
Pine Grosbeak, Pine Grove, by Derek Dunnett. The winter finches have landed. Several flocks of Pine Grosbeaks have been reported this week. Some evening Grosbeaks, redpolls, and Bohemian Waxwings as well. For the grosbeaks and waxwings, look for trees still bearing fruit or berries like these Canada Holly. The extensive russet color IDs this as a first-year male.
Ross’s Goose (1) Oct 28-Nov 06, Bruce Pit, Ottawa. Intermittent.
Snow x Canada Goose (hybrid) (2) Oct 29, Russell Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Trumpeter Swan (4) Nov 06, Torwood Armitage, Ottawa.
Blue-winged Teal (1) Nov 01, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Harlequin Duck (1) Nov 05-06, Billings Bridge/Clifford Allen Island, Ottawa
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1-3) Nov 03-06, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa. (1) Nov 01-03, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa
Pied-billed Grebe (1) Nov 05, Avalon (stormwater pond), Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Nov 01, NCC Trail 24, Ottawa.
Wilson’s Snipe (1) Nov 04, Champlain Street Marsh, Ottawa. (1) Nov 03, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Least Sandpiper (1) Nov 01, RN du Marais-Trépanier, Gatineau.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Nov 02, Parc de la Gatineau–Vallée Meech, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. (1) Nov 01, Pine Grove Forestry Trail, Ottawa.
Winter Wren (1) Nov 06, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Oct 30, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird (1) Oct 29, Nov 02, Bloomsbury Cr, Ottawa.
American Redstart (1) Nov 04, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (1) Nov 06, Trails North Of Stony Swamp, Ottawa.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 16 October 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Snow Goose season starts with a flock of 1500 in Embrum on Tuesday. Many more to come. Keep an eye (or ear) open for Pine Siskins and both Grosbeaks. Fox Sparrows in every hedge and trail edge this week.
Fox Sparrow, Sarsaparilla Trail, by Sanam Goudarzi. Fox sparrows are easily ID’ed thanks to all the red, the huge size, and those chevon marks on the breat and flanks. How big are they? Longer and heavier than a Hermit Thrush.
Fox Sparrow, Beaver Trail, by Steve Strauss. Fox sparrows have many subspecies and even subspecies groups. We only see the red subspecies group.
Blue Jay, Carp, by David O’Neill. A stunning example of avian keratin disorder (AKD), and also just how good corvids are at surviving despite challenges. David was advised by the wild Bird Care Centre that if the bird appears healthy, the best thing is to leave it be. AKD was first reported in Alaska in the 90’s and has since spread widely.
Sandhill Cranes, Pleasant Valley, by Steve Strauss.
Sandhill Crane, Pleasant Valley, by Steve Strauss. Sandhills are big birds, and their energic dances can be seen from a great distance. They dance during mating season, but also outside it, presumably as part of bonding.
White-winged Crossbill, North of Casslman, by Erik Pohanka. Unlike in most songbirds, juveniles like this can appear any time of year. Instead of the seasons, these nomads start breeding when they find the right sources of food.
Ross’s Goose (1) Oct 28-30, Bruce Pit, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (4) Oct 26, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa. (6) Oct 25, Torwood Armitage, Ottawa. (6) Oct 23, Parc de la Gatineau–Lac Carman, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Blue-winged Teal (2) Oct 24-25, Andrew Haydon Park-Dick Bell Park, Ottawa.
Common Gallinule (1) Oct 26, RN du Marais-Trépanier, Gatineau.
Red-throated Loon (1) Oct 21, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Spotted Sandpiper (1) Oct 22, Jay Street Lookout, Ottawa.
Osprey (1) Oct 25, Mississippi River, Ontario, Lanark.
Golden Eagle (1) Oct 25, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa. (1) Oct 29, Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. (1) Oct 25, La cour de Guy, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais. Presumably more in the region.
White-eyed Vireo (1) Oct 24-25, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. (1) Oct 25, Shirley’s bay, Ottawa. Three in a year is unprecedented in Ottawa.
Blue-headed Vireo (1) Oct 25, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. (2) Oct 23, Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. (1) Oct 23, Pioneer Plains Park, Ottawa.
(1) Oct 23, Maple Grove Trails, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Oct 28, Sampson Private, Ottawa.
Harris’s Sparrow (1) Oct 26, undisclosed private location, Ottawa.
Bobolink (1) Oct 29, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Tennessee Warbler (1) Oct 25, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Oct 23, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler (1) Oc24, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Pine Warbler (1) Oct 21, Piste cyc. Sentier des Voyageurs–Pont Champlain<->Parc des Rapides-Deschênes, Gatineau.
Black-throated Green Warbler (1) Oct 25, Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Continuing female.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 16 October 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Green Heron (juvenile), Britannia CA, by Tony Beck.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Ottawa Greenbelt, Steve Strauss.
Wood Duck, Mud Lake, by Nina Stavlund. After their summer subtlety, ducks are transforming into their brilliant breeding colors now. The eggs won’t be laid until next spring, but much of the courting takes place over the winter.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Andrew Haydon Park, by Tony Beck.
Northern Waterthrush, Jock River, by Steve Strauss. Taken a couple of weeks ago.
Rusty Blackbird, Bruce Pit, by Catherine Lawersence. A better than average view of this skulky species. Want to practice your blackbird id? Head to Bruce Pit in the fall. Sometimes thousands of birds fly in at the end of the day. And who knows, someday there might be a Yellow-headed Blackbird, probably in some really challenging plumage.
White-crowned Sparrow (juvenile), by Vicky Deschamps. Where’s the white? This is a young bird, born this summer, on its first migration south. We see this plumage where the stripes are red-brown instead of white only for a month each fall.
White-crowned Sparrow(adult), March Valley Rd, by Nina Stavlund. This crisp plumage is far more common and recognizable, and we see it twice a year during both migrations.
Hermit Thrush, Ottawa, by Richie Allen. This is a forest bird – what is it doing in an urban yard? Proving the value of a water feature to migrating birds and non-migrating naturalists. Many species that won’t come to a feeder will stop for water, especially moving water.
Snow x Canada Goose (hybrid) (1) Oct 12, Russell — Sewage Lagoons, Prescott and Russell.
Trumpeter Swan (1) Oct 14, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa. (1) Oct 13, Club de ski Nakkertok Nordic-Nordique, Gatineau.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Oct 11, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Spotted Sandpiper (1) Oct 14-15, Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa. (1) Oct 14, Bate Island, Ottawa.
Solitary Sandpiper (1) Oct 10-14, Richmond – town SW, Ottawa.
Green Heron (1) Oct 10-11, Findlay Creek stormwater finishing ponds, Ottawa.
Golden Eagle (1) Oct 15, Shirley’s Bay (boat launch), Ottawa.
Black-backed Woodpecker (2) Sep 22-at least Oct 16, Pinhey forest south of Slack Road, Ottawa. (1) Oct 12-13, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa. (1) Oct 11, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. (1) Oct 12, Old Quarry Trail, Ottawa. Basically everywhere. One is watching you now.
Red-eyed Vireo (1) Oct 11, Stanley Park, Ottawa.
Gray Catbird (1) Oct 15, Domaine de la ferme Moore, Gatineau. (1) Oct 14, Rockcliffe Airport, Ottawa. (2) Oct 14, Britannia CA–Mud Lake, Ottawa.
Brown Thrasher (1) Oct 16, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Northern Mockingbird (1) Oct 11, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Veery (1) Oct 11, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa.
Gray-cheeked Thrush (1) Oct 13, Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa.
Swainson’s Thrush (2) Oct 16, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Evening Grosbeak (2) Oct 13, Greenbelt Pathway (East/West of Conroy), Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow (1) Oct 13-14, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark. (3) Oct 11, Constance Creek Mouth, Ottawa.
Snow Bunting (1) Oct 14, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa.
Tennessee Warbler (1) Oct 12-15, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. (1) Oct 12, Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Sewage Lagoons), Ottawa. (1) Oct 11, Stanley Park, Ottawa. (1) Oct 11, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Nashville Warbler (1) Oct 15, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Common Yellowthroat (1) Oct 13, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. (1) Oct 12, Aéroport exécutif Gatineau-Ottawa, Gatineau. (1) Oct 11, Bassin de rétention du Plateau, Gatineau.
Black-throated Green Warbler (1) Oct 15, Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (1) Oct 11, Parc de la Gatineau–Lac Meech, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Ottawa and area bird sightings to 2 October 2025
by Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca
Weird waterfowl season starts off with some interesting hybrids. Nelson Sparrows are back at the usual fall stopover. Many reports of Brant along the river this week. The Black-backed Woodpecker happening continues with continuing and new birds, as part of a broader moverment in the province (and beyond?) .
Black-backed Woodpecker, Pinhey Sand Dunes woods, by Sanam Goudarzi. A pair has been hanging around this under-birded greenspace. This photo clearly shows the namesake black back.
Nashville Warbler, Fletcher, by Gillian Wright. Goldenrod fields, especially at this location, are a great place to find late season warblers such as Nashville and Orange-crowned Warblers.
Peregrine Falcon, Britannia CA, by Rick Collins. The prey is an unfortunate Blue Jay.
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grove, by Gillian Wright.
Black-bellied Plover, Ottawa Beach, by Catherine Lawrence.
Horned Lark, Ottawa Beach, by Catherine Lawrence. We associate larks and pipits with the plowed field east and south of Ottawa, but in fall migration, either can be found on the south side of rivers and lakes.
Dunlin, Ottawa Beach, by Catherine Lawrence.
Blue-headed Vireo, Vars, by Erin Durant. A bird with the courage to mix yellow, green and blue, and look good wearing it.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (female), Sheila McKee, by Sanam Goudarzi. How to id a BTBW female traveling solo? Especially if you cannot see the tell-tail white spot at the base of the primaries (the handkerchief)? Gray on off-white or yellow is a start. What about the subtle facial markings? The very thin line over the eye and the eye arc only at the bottom of the eye.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (female), Mud Lake, by Gillian Wright. A much easier id with the diagnostic handkerchief. But the facial markings are just as clear. A good lesson on not relying on a single field mark.
Bald eagle, Vars, by Erin Durant.
Killdeer, Andrew Haydon Park, by Erin Durant. The tail flash is a territorial display. This is my section of the beach. Back off.
Tennessee Warbler, Britannia CA, by Rick Collins.
Snow x Ross’s Goose (hybrid) (1) Sep 27, Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa.
Graylag x Canada Goose (hybrid) (1) Sep 28, Allbirch Rd, Ottawa.
Trumpeter Swan (1) Sep 27, Club de ski Nakkertok Nordic-Nordique, Gatineau.
Eurasian x American Wigeon (hybrid) (1) Sep 28, Allbirch Rd, Ottawa.
Barrow’s Goldeneye (1) Oct 01, Remic Rapids and Champlain Bridge area, Ottawa.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1) Sep 30, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Sep 28, Domaine de la ferme Moore, Gatineau.
Baird’s Sandpiper (1) Sep 23, Andrew Haydon Park east (formerly Ottawa Beach), Ottawa. (1) Sep 24, Carleton Place–Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark.
Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Oct 02, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. (1) Sep 22-Oct 02, Phiney forest south of Slack Road, Ottawa.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1) Sep 28, James St, Ottawa.
Great Crested Flycatcher (1) Sep 28, Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa. (1) Sep 26, Petrie Island, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Vireo (1) Sep 28, Frank Ryan & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa.
Pine Grosbeak (1) Oct 01, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa.
Fox Sparrow (3) Oct 01, Ramsayville Road, Ottawa. (2) Sep 30, Old Quarry Trail, Ottawa. (1) Sep 27-29, Brantwood Park, Ottawa.
Nelson’s Sparrow (2-4) Sep 28-Oct 02, Mouth of Constance Creek, Ottawa. “To access this site, please park at the public access at Baillie and Sand Bay streets. Walk down the beach to the river mouth and please keep to the single deer track to avoid trampling the habitat.”
Eastern Towhee (1) Sep 30, Burnt Lands Provincial Park, Ottawa. (1) Oct 02, Heaphy Road, Ottawa.
Black-and-white Warbler (1) Sep 28, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa.
Bay-breasted Warbler (1) Sep 25, Baie Simard, Gatineau.
Blackburnian Warbler (1) Sep 30, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa.
Yellow-throated Warbler (1) Sep 25-26, Pont Champlain, Gatineau (Aylmer), Gatineau.