Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sightings@ofnc.ca December 19, 2019 The highlight of the week was a NORTHERN FULMAR, seen in the Deschenes Rapids on the 15th during the Ottawa/ Gatineau Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The bird was seen in both Ontario and Quebec for a few hours until dusk, but unfortunately was not seen the next day. Preliminary results from the CBC are in, with only 61 species, the 3rd lowest in the last 30 years, which was hampered by very windy conditions all day. WILD TURKEY totals set a new record, with near or at the record for BALD EAGLE, AMERICAN CROW and COMMON RAVEN. Other highlights included 2 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS and a GRAY CATBIRD in Gatineau, and BROWN THRASHER in Gloucester. Temperatures were generally seasonal to well above, but turned much colder with the coldest day of the season on the 19th. Snow cover remains below average. 12 species of DUCKS were seen this week, with the most unusual being a CANVASBACK in Carleton Place on the 15-18th. A NORTHERN PINTAIL and a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER were at Britannia on the 16th. A GREEN-WINGED TEAL was in the Arboretum as late as the 18th. A GREAT BLUE HERON was at Lac McGregor on the 13th. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was near Andrew Haydon park on the 14th. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK has been seen from time to time near Nolan/ Belvedere in Prescott-Russell, and one was seen on Berry Side Road on the 16th. Some other notable sightings of the week included: · A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was at the Reveler Recreational Trails on the 18th. · A HERMIT THRUSH was at Lac Leamy on the 17th. · 1 EASTERN BLUEBIRD was seen in the Thomas Dolan/ Greenland Road area on the 16th. · A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was in Richmond as recently as the 15th, in Kanata on the 16th, and 2 were in Riverside park South on the 15th. · A COMMON GRACKLE was in Masson on the 17th. · Up to 2 CHIPPING SPARROWS have been at Ferme Moore on the 13-15th, and one was in Constance Bay on the 19th. · A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was on Bate Island on the 16th. Finally, while the FINCH numbers are, in general, very low, both WHITE-WINGED and RED CROSSBILLS have been in the black spruce in the Mer Bleue southeast of the Dolman Ridge Feeder but unfortunately they are not near a trail. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations. We encourage everyone to report their bird sightings on eBird for the benefit of the entire birding community. Good birding.