Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca Dec. 03, 2020 Highlights: King Eider - A female spent Dec. 01 at Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Black Vulture - Continuing until at least Dec. 03, Chemin de la Rivière, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Bird has been there for weeks now. Boreal Chickadee - Showed up on Fieldown St, Ottawa on Dec. 01, and still there Thursday. The suet feeder and spruce used by the bird are visible from the street. Patience may be required as it shows up daily, but not often and not for long. Other Notable sightings: Green-winged Teal - At least 4 at Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Northern Shoveler - A single bird at Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Wood Duck - A pair at the Billings Bridge, Ottawa. American Coot - At the Shirley's Bay Dyke, Ottawa. Ross's Goose - One bird at Chapman Mills Conservation Area, Ottawa. Glaucous Gull - Immature at Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Black-crowned Night-Heron - A pair of juveniles have been hanging out at the Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa. Sandhill Crane - A group of 4 at the Halte routière, Lochaber, Papineau. Red-bellied Woodpecker - Continuing in Ottawa near the Chapman Mills Conservation Area, and at the Shirley's Bay Dyke. Also in Gatineau at Chemin Fer-à-Cheval/Sentier des Libellules, at Parc du Lac-Leamy (at the first feeder), and at Baie Simard. Probably unreported at more locations. American Pipit - At the Shirley's Bay Dyke, Ottawa. Winter Wren - Wolf Grove Road, Lanark, as well at the South-east corner of Mud Lake, Ottawa. Carolina Wren - Continuing at Mud Lake, on Fieldown Street, Cumberland,Villa Crescent, and Au bois Ave., all in Ottawa. Eastern Bluebird - Quigley Hill Rd, Ottawa. Eastern Towhee - Continues in Fine Estate, Ottawa. Winter birds seem to be everywhere, at least in small numbers. Bohemian Waxwings - 100 have been hanging around Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa. A huge flock (500+) was reported at Samuel-Eddy/Chemin Alymer, Gatineau on Dec. 01. White-winged Crossbill - At many places in the circle this week, including a flock of 20 at Carleton Place, a pair at Murphys Point Provincial Park, some at High Lonesome Nature Reserve, all in Lanark. Hoary Redpoll - Many in the circle including on Chemin Findlay, and the Brebeuf parking lot, Vanier Street, Gatineau. Really - just check any flock of commons. White-crowned Sparrow - Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Rusty Blackbird - Shirley's Bay, Ottawa. Ovenbird - Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa. Special Note about Owl Woods The privately-owned Owl Woods on Amherst Island are currently closed for the annual hunt through to 6th December inclusive. Please respect this long-standing agreement and stay out of the woods. If visiting at other times and you do see owls, the owners insist that these are not reported on any social media platform, including eBird, until the season is over, or we risk losing access. Although owls are occasionally seen at other nearby locations, disguising your owl wood sightings as 'Amherst Island' or even 'Lennox and Addington' goes against the spirit of the message. Shirley's Bay reminder: OFNC members on the access list must call Range Control (613-991-5740) to provide their names, how long they intend to be out on the causeway, and a mobile number where they can be reached. There is a new five person limit on the causeway and this is strictly enforced. As well, members must comply with any applicable COVID related municipal/provincial regulations. At the time of departure, you must phone and advise Range Control that you are clear of the property. DND also requests that you inform them of any trespassing on the causeway.