Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count
The big day is Sunday, December 17, 2023. Listen to OFNC's Bernie Ladouceur discuss the 105th Otttawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count on CBC https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2292189763694 He did a great job!!
A New Year in Birding
Are you starting a new year list? Check out this useful guide to carry you through to March. The full document can be found at OFNC Study Area finding guide for January to March
Birders find a warbler in the bleak mid-winter!
By Gregory Zbitnew; photos by participant Suzanne Hawkins (Editor’s note: Gregory submitted his text long ago, just after the trip; as did Suzanne submit the photos. It’s all my fault that it’s being posted so late. Thank you very much to Gregory and Suzanne! BM) The third annual “birding in the bleak midwinter” field trip [...]
Gatineau park outing
by Sophie Roy On May 20, 21 birders enjoyed the bird life of Gatineau Park, with leaders Justin Peter and yours truly. Photo by Norbert Haché The group started the day off well with two Black-Billed Cuckoos calling at the meeting point, at P8. After birding the parking lot we headed to the nearby [...]
Birds in Africa and North America (Mar. 25, 2017)
We started with some exotic birds. Rob Alvo had recently made a birding tour of southern Africa, hitting as many different ecosystems as possible. Surprisingly, we recognized many of the birds, which we ourselves had never seen: weavers, owls, ostriches, and African penguins. Rob asked thought provoking questions that led into issues of conservation. Then, [...]
Birds of the Galapagos
Blue-footed Booby showing those namesake feet! Photo by Justin Peter by Marissa Carroll Justin Peter, director of programs and senior naturalist for Quest Nature Tours and vice-president of the Toronto Ornithological Club, brought his extensive knowledge of fascinating Galapagos birds to the Ottawa Field-Naturalist Club’s monthly meeting this past Tuesday. Host to unique [...]
The importance of snags and downed logs to wildlife
by Christine Hanrahan Snags are standing dead trees. They are also known as den or cavity trees and increasingly as wildlife trees. (photo by Christine Hanrahan) Walking through our local forests and along trails at the city's edge, your eye may be caught by the stark form of a standing dead tree or by [...]
Late fall birding
by Richard Singhroy Richard Singhroy is a student at the University of Ottawa. As part of the university's Community Service Learning program, he has volunteered to report on several OFNC outings and meetings. On Sunday, November 1 at 8 am, a group of Ottawa Field-Naturalist Club members met at Andrew Haydon Park to do some [...]
Rollers, nibblers, and spit
by Sandy Garland This Red Osier Dogwood is probably over 15 years old. I remember when this Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) shrub was just a tiny thing at the edge of the path. It sent out roots - one of them sticking out so that we'd trip over it every now and [...]
Migrants at Parc national de Plaisance
by Rachelle Lapensee with photos by Sandra Dashney and Arlene Harold Virgina Rail photographed by Sandra Dashney This park includes the largest wetlands in the Ottawa area, and the trip was timed to coincide with the end of spring waterfowl migration. What a fantastic and successful birding trip to PARC NATIONAL DE PLAISANCE [...]