Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sightings@ofnc.ca December 12, 2019 There were no highlights this week. Some very mild weather until the 10th melted the little snow on the ground, again making it a bit easier for lingering birds and keeping the rivers open. More seasonal weather followed with very little snow. Birds are quite sparse in most areas outside the rivers or feeders. *Note: *“Tis the season” to be counting birds-it’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) season again! The CBC is an annual survey by the Audubon Society, and thousands of individual counts are held all over the world from December 14-January 5. This season there are 10 counts all or partly within the 50K study region, starting with Ottawa/ Gatineau on the 15th. If you want to get involved, you can see the list here: http://ofnc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Christmas-Bird-Count-Calendar-2019.pdf 11 species of DUCK were in the region this week. Aside from the 4 common regular wintering ones, there are: 1. 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYE were on the Rideau River between Hurdman and Strathcona Park. 2. GREEN-WINGED TEAL (a female) continues in the Arboretum as of the 10 th, and one was on Grimes in Gatineau on the 8th. WOOD DUCKS are in Gatineau and probably on the Rideau River too. 3. HOODED MERGANSER on the Rideau River, and 4. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, LESSER SCAUP, and BUFFLEHEAD on the Ottawa River A CACKLING GOOSE at Britannia on the 10th rounded out the WATERBIRD list. 2 GOLDEN EAGLES were in Gatineau Park West on the 10th. A BELTED KINGFISHER continues on Ruisseau de la Brasserie in Gatineau as of the 8th. Despite the general scarcity of birds, as always there are always a few interesting lingerers: EASTERN BLUEBIRDS continue near Thomas Dolan/ Greenland Road/ Berry Side Road as of the 12th, and also in Pontiac (Chemin Steele) as of the 5th. For some reason, there are a number of WINTER WRENS still lingering, at least 4: Rapides Deschênes on the 7th, Almonte as of the 10th, Emerald Meadows as of the 9th, and Britannia as of the 11th. A pair of CAROLINA WRENS was in Bridlewood on the 9th, and a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was in the Arboretum on the 9th. A CHIPPING SPARROW was in Vanier on the 9th. A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues in the District des promenades in Gatineau as of the 10th. 2 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were at the Trail Road Landfill on the 8th. Up to 4 LAPLAND LONGSPURS have been on Akins road, most recently on the 7th. Finally, 4 COMMON REDPOLLS were in Trend-Arlington Park on the 10th. 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.