Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sightings@ofnc.ca September 19, 2019 The highlights of the week were a late WILSON’S PHALAROPE at the Moodie Drive Ponds on the 18th, and a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at the Carp River Watershed Reclamation area on the 16-18th. Weather was seasonal to above temperatures with very little rain. The southerly winds and lack of any significant weather systems this week likely accounted for a generally static or declining population of migrants, although there were some. SONGBIRD and SHOREBIRD migration, while past their peak, are far from over. Among the WATERBIRDS, there were some firsts of the fall: A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE flew over Kanata on the 17th, a SNOW GOOSE was at the Almonte Sewage Lagoons on the 15th, and 2 TRUMPETER SWANS were there on the 17th. Other than that there was just modest variety with little change from last week. While there were 19 species of SHOREBIRD in the region this week, volume and variety have dwindled. This was particularly so at Andrew Haydon Park east, where there were only 11 birds of 3 species on the 18th, although an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was there on the 16th. Still, there is still plenty of habitat around, so that area still merits checking. Elsewhere, there were 36 birds of 5 species at Constance Bay on the 15th, and 33 birds of 7 species at Shirley’s Bay on the 17th. A RUDDY TURNSTONE was in the Deschênes rapids on the 15th. Insect eaters are rapidly departing. Although quite a few are here, most will not be around much longer. 3 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were at Britannia on the 13th. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were at Britannia and Deschênes on the 15th, and one was in Richmond on the 18th. A BARN SWALLOW was at Shirley’s Bay on the 14th. The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues in Constance Bay as of the 15th, a CAROLINA WREN continued both at Britannia and Petrie Island, and 2 EASTERN TOWHEES were at the Bruce Pit on the 17th. Although generally migration was quiet, a number of species have become fairly regular, such as both species of KINGLETS and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Finally, concerning the WARBLERS, variety remains excellent, as 23 species were seen in the region this week. At least 13 species were seen at Britannia on the 15th, and some areas are seeing 10+ species on good days, but many days have been rather quiet. PALM WARBLERS have become noticeable in many spots. However, some species are becoming rather scarce, particularly these 3: 1. A MOURNING WARBLER at Ferme Moore on the 19th, 2. A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at Britannia on the 15-16th, and at Deschênes on the 15th, and 3. A CANADA WARBLER at Britannia on the 15th and at Lac la Pêche on the 15th. *Reminder regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway:* DND has advised extra caution as the causeway is in rough shape. They have also requested that if any garbage can be removed it would be appreciated. To access this site, you must be on the access list, and you must call Range Control (613-991-5740) for permission, state that you are an OFNC member and give your name. Finally, you must call again when you have left the area. DND would also like to be informed if you see anyone on the property who should not be there, such as boats in the bay or people fishing on the causeway. They are trespassing and DND will deal with the situation. The OFNC has provided DND with a list of OFNC members who HAVE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED access. DND will check, so make sure that your membership is up to date and that you have requested that the OFNC put you on the access list. This list has already been sent to DND this spring and will be updated occasionally. To get on the next access list, please contact membership@ofnc.ca. 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.