Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sightings@ofnc.ca November 21, 2019 The TUFTED DUCK continued at Shirley’s Bay until the 16th, and was seen again briefly on the 18th. There were 2 sightings of RED CROSSBILL, the first sightings since January. 1 was north of Lac la Pêche on the 17th and 2 were at the Mer Bleue on the 20th. 2 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS were on Perrault Road as late as the 20th. Weather improved from appalling to near normal by the end of the week. Most areas are quite quiet, but there have been some good days on the rivers, and there a number of lingering birds on the land, most at feeders. Snow on the ground has diminished somewhat and is not significantly hindering travel. 19 species of DUCK were seen this week including all 3 SCOTERS and all 3 MERGANSERS. Most, aside from MALLARDS, are COMMON GOLDENEYE. There were some especially good viewing conditions on the Ottawa River on the 19th. Most ponds, in particular the Moodie Drive Ponds, are iced over for the season. Sheltered bays on the Ottawa River have a thin layer of ice, which might well clear for a few days with this predicted rain and thaw. The HARLEQUIN DUCK is still at Strathcona Park as of the 21st. A ROSS’S GOOSE was on Limebank Road on the 16th, and an AMERICAN COOT was at Dow’s lake on the 15th. Up to 5 species of GULL have been at the Trail Road landfill this week. Numbers are far from large and consistent, but with persistence you will find the 3 scarcer species: LESSER BLACK-BACKED, ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS. There have been a number of lingering species all over the area, some more surprising than others. Here are the more interesting ones: 1. A TURKEY VULTURE in Crysler on the 18th. 2. A CHIPPING SPARROW at the Deschênes Rapids on the 21st, and at the Experimental Farm on the 19th. 3. A HERMIT THRUSH at Britannia on the 21st, and in the Glebe on the 20 th. 4. An AMERICAN PIPIT at Dick Bell Park on the 19th, and Shirley’s bay on the 21st. 5. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden on the 20th 6. 3 WINTER WRENS at the Nortel Marsh on the 21st and a surprising 5 at Britannia on the 18th. 7. A NORTHERN FLICKER at Baie Noire on the 19th and one at Strathcona park on the 18th. 8. A FOX SPARROW in the Honey Gables area on the 18th. 9. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW near Munster on the 16th. 10. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD at Parc Aquamarine in Gatineau on the 19th, 2 on Chemin Steele on the 19th, and 2 on 5th Line Road on the 20th. 11. A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at Fitzroy Provincial park on the 17th. While not particularly late, there were 16 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and 10 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS at the Reveler Recreation Trails on the 15th, 20 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS at the Trail Road Landfill on the 20th and 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS at the Richmond CA on the 17th. 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were at Baie Cornu (east of Quyon) on the 17th, and 2 were in North Gower on the 15th. In the FINCH front while very sparse, there were 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in Larrimac on the 20th; 5 PINE SISKINS on the Eardley-Masham Road on the 19 th and 16 on Clayton Road on the 19th; and 2 COMMON REDPOLLS at Parc Brébeuf 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 was 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.