Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sightings@ofnc.ca December 26, 2019 There were no highlights this week. The weather was generally conducive to birding, being relatively mild, dry and calm, with only a few cold days, and a surprising green Christmas. Unfortunately, there were just not a whole lot of birds around in most areas. About 70 species were seen in the last week, which is about the typical early winter level in the region. Most of these were isolated lingering species. 9 species of DUCK were seen in the last week. Notable only was a GREEN-WINGED TEAL continuing at the Arboretum as of the 26th and 2 on Chemin de Golf on the 22nd. Some notable sightings included: · A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen in Centretown on the 22nd. · A NORTHERN HARRIER was in Richmond on the 22nd. · A BELTED KINGFISHER was north of Lac St. Pierre in Val des Monts on the 24th. · A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen on Chemin Thérien on the Eardley Escarpment on the 22nd. · WINTER WREN in Almonte on the 23rd. · HERMIT THRUSH north of Quyon on the 21st. Another at Lac Leamy on the 22nd. · NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at the Reveler Trails on the 20th. Continuing in Gatineay as of the 24th. · CHIPPING SPARROWS were in the Deschênes area of Aylmer as of the 24th, in Constance Bay as of the 20th and in Carleton place as of the 25th. · FIELD SPARROWS were seen on Grant’s Side Road and at the Reveler feeders on the 25th. · A COMMON GRACKLE was in Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham on the 24th. and in Russell on the 23rd . An exception to the “few birds” rule that seems to be applying this fall, is that there have been FINCH sightings this week in a number of areas, mostly well outside the urban core. Spruce trees in general are bearing a good crop of cones, but there are far more cones than birds now. On a trip on the Eardley-Masham Road in Western Gatineau Park on the 22nd there were PINE SISKINS, 80 PURPLE FINCHES (50 in one large flock) and 15 RED CROSSBILLS. On the 23rd there were 2 each of RED CROSSBILL, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL and PURPLE FINCH, all in the black spruce north of Lac Ramsey. Elsewhere there were both species of CROSSBILLS on Bellamy Road and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in Almonte, Stony Swamp, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden and in Dunrobin this week. 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.