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Ontario Rare Bird Alert

[Ontbirds] Ottawa/Gatineau - May 1, 2014 - recent reports

Christina Lewis via ONTBIRDS

Fri, May 2, 2014 3:13 AM

This is Chris Lewis covering for Bob Cermak while he's chasing Eared Grebes and Smith's Longspurs at Point Pelee.....

...meanwhile in Ottawa-Gatineau, this week's highlight was a (very rare for Ottawa) male HOODED WARBLER discovered on the 27th at Terry Carisse Park along the Jock River opposite #3030 Steeple Hill Cres. south of Fallowfield Rd. The bird was still present on May
1st.

Migrant waterfowl continue to move through. On the 25th the flooding in the Cobb's Lake Creek area at Russell and Johnston Rds. east of Bourget had receded considerably - an estimated 40,000 SNOW GOOSE were in the fields, and countless 1,000's were in flight.
Among the flock on the ground was an adult ROSS'S GOOSE, several thousand NORTHERN PINTAIL, as well as good numbers of GREEN-WINGED TEAL and RING-NECKED DUCK. By the 28th, the fields were virtually dry with very few waterfowl. On the Quebec side of
the
Ottawa River at Parc National du Plaisance on the 27th there was a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and a few CACKLING GOOSE. A group of 5 CACKLING GOOSE were reported from the Carp River southeast of Carp back on the 21st, and singletons continue to be
reported in scattered locations. A flock of 10 BRANT, early for our region, were seen and heard flying over Canaan Rd. east of Ottawa on the 26th.

Two or three GREAT EGRET have returned to the breeding colony on Conroy Island in the Deschenes rapids of the Ottawa River, and sightings of single birds along with BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON that also breed in this colony came from across the river Mud
Lake
in the Britannia Conservation Area. Raptor observations included several reports of BALD and GOLDEN EAGLE - 6 BALD EAGLE were at Plaisance on the 27th, single GOLDEN EAGLE flew over areas both east and west of Ottawa from the 25th and 28th and 2 adults
were
seen flying over south of Ottawa on the 29th. The first local reports of BROAD-WINGED Hawk came in on the 24th and a good flight occurred on May 1st - at least 35 were seen kettling over the Dunrobin area. NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK,
AMERICAN KESTREL and MERLIN were also seen over the past week.

VIRGINIA RAIL are back in their typical breeding habitats. Reports of SANDHILL CRANE, mostly individuals in flight, came in from many areas including Plaisance, Richmond, Dunrobin, and the Mer Bleue area. Shorebird observations included KILLDEER, SPOTTED
SANDPIPER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, UPLAND SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, WILSON'S SNIPE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, and an early SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was reported at the edge of flooded field on Ramsay Concession 7 approx. 2 km. north of Carleton
Place
on May 1st. A BONAPARTE'S GULL was seen on Britannia Bay on May 1st; a single bird was previously reported near this location back on April 19th.

A couple of CHIMNEY SWIFT were noted over Britannia on the 29th, and the first local reports of EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE and GRAY CATBIRD came in on the same day. Good numbers of GOLDEN-CROWNED and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET continue to be reported
along
with other common expected migrants such as HERMIT THRUSH, BROWN THRASHER, PALM, PINE and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, CHIPPING, FIELD, VESPER, SAVANNAH, SWAMP and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. A few FOX SPARROW were still around this week. The
first
report of ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was on the 28th, a flock of 200 RUSTY BLACKBIRD were seen near Flag Station Rd in the Manotick/Osgoode area on the 29th, and a half-dozen EVENING GROSBEAK have been more regular at a feeder on the western edge of the
Larose Forest during the past week.

Due to widespread concerns regarding disturbance of wildlife and property, the OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports OWL sightings on the internet. We will continue to the encourage the reporting of owls to sightings@ofnc.ca for the local records.

Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations.

Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler and transcriber Bob Cermak robertcermak9@hotmail.com or sightings@ofnc.ca recent reports to May 1, 2014 This is Chris Lewis covering for Bob Cermak while he's chasing Eared Grebes and Smith's Longspurs at Point Pelee..... ...meanwhile in Ottawa-Gatineau, this week's highlight was a (very rare for Ottawa) male HOODED WARBLER discovered on the 27th at Terry Carisse Park along the Jock River opposite #3030 Steeple Hill Cres. south of Fallowfield Rd. The bird was still present on May 1st. Migrant waterfowl continue to move through. On the 25th the flooding in the Cobb's Lake Creek area at Russell and Johnston Rds. east of Bourget had receded considerably - an estimated 40,000 SNOW GOOSE were in the fields, and countless 1,000's were in flight. Among the flock on the ground was an adult ROSS'S GOOSE, several thousand NORTHERN PINTAIL, as well as good numbers of GREEN-WINGED TEAL and RING-NECKED DUCK. By the 28th, the fields were virtually dry with very few waterfowl. On the Quebec side of the Ottawa River at Parc National du Plaisance on the 27th there was a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and a few CACKLING GOOSE. A group of 5 CACKLING GOOSE were reported from the Carp River southeast of Carp back on the 21st, and singletons continue to be reported in scattered locations. A flock of 10 BRANT, early for our region, were seen and heard flying over Canaan Rd. east of Ottawa on the 26th. Two or three GREAT EGRET have returned to the breeding colony on Conroy Island in the Deschenes rapids of the Ottawa River, and sightings of single birds along with BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON that also breed in this colony came from across the river Mud Lake in the Britannia Conservation Area. Raptor observations included several reports of BALD and GOLDEN EAGLE - 6 BALD EAGLE were at Plaisance on the 27th, single GOLDEN EAGLE flew over areas both east and west of Ottawa from the 25th and 28th and 2 adults were seen flying over south of Ottawa on the 29th. The first local reports of BROAD-WINGED Hawk came in on the 24th and a good flight occurred on May 1st - at least 35 were seen kettling over the Dunrobin area. NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL and MERLIN were also seen over the past week. VIRGINIA RAIL are back in their typical breeding habitats. Reports of SANDHILL CRANE, mostly individuals in flight, came in from many areas including Plaisance, Richmond, Dunrobin, and the Mer Bleue area. Shorebird observations included KILLDEER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, UPLAND SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, WILSON'S SNIPE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, and an early SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was reported at the edge of flooded field on Ramsay Concession 7 approx. 2 km. north of Carleton Place on May 1st. A BONAPARTE'S GULL was seen on Britannia Bay on May 1st; a single bird was previously reported near this location back on April 19th. A couple of CHIMNEY SWIFT were noted over Britannia on the 29th, and the first local reports of EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE and GRAY CATBIRD came in on the same day. Good numbers of GOLDEN-CROWNED and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET continue to be reported along with other common expected migrants such as HERMIT THRUSH, BROWN THRASHER, PALM, PINE and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, CHIPPING, FIELD, VESPER, SAVANNAH, SWAMP and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. A few FOX SPARROW were still around this week. The first report of ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was on the 28th, a flock of 200 RUSTY BLACKBIRD were seen near Flag Station Rd in the Manotick/Osgoode area on the 29th, and a half-dozen EVENING GROSBEAK have been more regular at a feeder on the western edge of the Larose Forest during the past week. Due to widespread concerns regarding disturbance of wildlife and property, the OFNC's Birds Committee no longer reports OWL sightings on the internet. We will continue to the encourage the reporting of owls to sightings@ofnc.ca for the local records. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations.

Christina Lewis via ONTBIRDS

Fri, May 9, 2014 1:35 AM

Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club
Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Region)
E. Ontario, W. Quebec
Compiler and transcriber Bob Cermak
robertcermak9@hotmail.com or sightings@ofnc.ca

Recent reports to May 8, 2014

This is Chris Lewis covering for Bob Cermak while he's chasing Summer Tanagers and Blue Grosbeaks at Point Pelee.....

...Meanwhile in Ottawa-Gatineau, migration continues to advance in fits and starts. Highlights included a very early (for Ottawa) LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, previously mentioned as a Short-billed, in a wet field along Ramsay Concession 7 north of Carleton Place; the last report was on May 3rd. A very active and vocal BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was a nice find in the woods at the Britannia Conservation Area on the 4th. Unless there are observations that I am unaware of, the male HOODED WARBLER discovered at Terry Carisse Park on April 27th was last reported on May 1st. A report of an ACADIAN FLYCATCHER in Oxford Mills approx. 60 km south of Ottawa on the 7th is subject to confirmation when the observer submits a more detailed report.

On the 5th, 2 SWANS (one reported as a TRUMPETER, the other a TUNDRA) flew together over Russell east of Ottawa. The Ottawa River continues to host good numbers of diving ducks, with rafts at Shirley's Bay consisting mainly of RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, GREATER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON MERGANSER. A few COMMON GOLDENEYE and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were also in the mix. Puddle ducks including WOOD DUCK, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, BLUE-WINGED TEAL were seen in various locations.

A large movement of GREBES occurred overnight on the 1st; the following day 51 HORNED and 83 RED-NECKED GREBE were counted at Shirley's Bay. 25 RED-NECKED were still here on the 4th and lesser numbers were seen elsewhere along the river. Two each of HORNED and PIED-BILLED GREBE were reported from Andrew Haydon Park on the 7th. Three GREAT EGRET continue at Conroy Island in Deschenes rapids, at least a half dozen GREEN HERON were noted at Britannia on the 4th, and 4 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON were here on the 7th. A few BROAD-WINGED HAWK continue to move through and 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK were hunting south of the international airport on the 6th.

VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA, and COMMON GALLINULE were found in typical habitats. Apart from the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, shorebird reports were few and in small numbers -- species noted were: SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN WOODCOCK. Two BONAPARTE'S GULL flew over Shirley's Bay on the 4th and a late GLAUCOUS GULL was seen from the ridge at Britannia on the 7th. COMMON TERN were reported from Britannia on the 2nd. EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL are back on territory. A male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER made an appearance along the Mer Bleue boardwalk on the 4th.

EASTERN KINGBIRD are back right on schedule, as are GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, PURPLE MARTIN, BANK SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, HOUSE WREN, GRAY CATBIRD, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Numerous RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET continued to move through this week, and CEDAR WAXWING are ubiquitous. The local WARBLER list continues to grow slowly but steadily; so far 15 species have been reported with the most recent arrivals being OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, MAGNOLIA, CAPE MAY, BLACKBURNIAN, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and YELLOW. A few FOX SPARROWS were still around last week. Two LINCOLN'S SPARROW were on territory in the Mer Bleue bog on the 7th, and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW visited a feeder in Alta Vista (Ottawa) on the 4th. Also at Mer Bleue, large flocks of RUSTY BLACKBIRD (numbers estimated at 1100 - 2000) were observed coming in to roost along the boardwalk on the evenings of the 6th and 7th.

Thank you to everyone who contributed bird sightings.

Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler and transcriber Bob Cermak robertcermak9@hotmail.com or sightings@ofnc.ca Recent reports to May 8, 2014 This is Chris Lewis covering for Bob Cermak while he's chasing Summer Tanagers and Blue Grosbeaks at Point Pelee..... ...Meanwhile in Ottawa-Gatineau, migration continues to advance in fits and starts. Highlights included a very early (for Ottawa) LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, previously mentioned as a Short-billed, in a wet field along Ramsay Concession 7 north of Carleton Place; the last report was on May 3rd. A very active and vocal BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was a nice find in the woods at the Britannia Conservation Area on the 4th. Unless there are observations that I am unaware of, the male HOODED WARBLER discovered at Terry Carisse Park on April 27th was last reported on May 1st. A report of an ACADIAN FLYCATCHER in Oxford Mills approx. 60 km south of Ottawa on the 7th is subject to confirmation when the observer submits a more detailed report. On the 5th, 2 SWANS (one reported as a TRUMPETER, the other a TUNDRA) flew together over Russell east of Ottawa. The Ottawa River continues to host good numbers of diving ducks, with rafts at Shirley's Bay consisting mainly of RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, GREATER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON MERGANSER. A few COMMON GOLDENEYE and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were also in the mix. Puddle ducks including WOOD DUCK, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, BLUE-WINGED TEAL were seen in various locations. A large movement of GREBES occurred overnight on the 1st; the following day 51 HORNED and 83 RED-NECKED GREBE were counted at Shirley's Bay. 25 RED-NECKED were still here on the 4th and lesser numbers were seen elsewhere along the river. Two each of HORNED and PIED-BILLED GREBE were reported from Andrew Haydon Park on the 7th. Three GREAT EGRET continue at Conroy Island in Deschenes rapids, at least a half dozen GREEN HERON were noted at Britannia on the 4th, and 4 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON were here on the 7th. A few BROAD-WINGED HAWK continue to move through and 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK were hunting south of the international airport on the 6th. VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA, and COMMON GALLINULE were found in typical habitats. Apart from the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, shorebird reports were few and in small numbers -- species noted were: SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN WOODCOCK. Two BONAPARTE'S GULL flew over Shirley's Bay on the 4th and a late GLAUCOUS GULL was seen from the ridge at Britannia on the 7th. COMMON TERN were reported from Britannia on the 2nd. EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL are back on territory. A male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER made an appearance along the Mer Bleue boardwalk on the 4th. EASTERN KINGBIRD are back right on schedule, as are GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, PURPLE MARTIN, BANK SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, HOUSE WREN, GRAY CATBIRD, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Numerous RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET continued to move through this week, and CEDAR WAXWING are ubiquitous. The local WARBLER list continues to grow slowly but steadily; so far 15 species have been reported with the most recent arrivals being OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, MAGNOLIA, CAPE MAY, BLACKBURNIAN, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and YELLOW. A few FOX SPARROWS were still around last week. Two LINCOLN'S SPARROW were on territory in the Mer Bleue bog on the 7th, and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW visited a feeder in Alta Vista (Ottawa) on the 4th. Also at Mer Bleue, large flocks of RUSTY BLACKBIRD (numbers estimated at 1100 - 2000) were observed coming in to roost along the boardwalk on the evenings of the 6th and 7th. Thank you to everyone who contributed bird sightings.