Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca February 20, 2020 Notable sightings: BARROWS GOLDENEYE and the pair of WOOD DUCKS continue along the Rideau. GRAY PARTRIDGE continue off Hazeldean. Their numbers may have dwindled to 5. The immature RED-SHOULDERED HAWK continues daily at the Trail Road landfill. It’s been reported from a wide-variety of perches along more than a kilometer, so if you don’t see it right away, don’t give up. NORTHERN GOSHAWKS were reported from Hammond, Ramsay Con. 7B in Lanark, and the 417/174 spilt in Gloucester. A NORTHERN FLICKER is visiting feeders daily in Kanata North. Another was seen on Chemin de la Sapinière, Luskville. CAROLINA WREN were reported from Britannia Conservation Area, Trend Arlington Park, Elmhurst Park, and Navan. WINTER WRENS were reported from different locations around the Britannia Conservation Area in Ottawa, and Ch. Lamoureux, Gatineau. The Rue Leblanc, Gatineau, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues to be seen most days. The GRAY CATBIRD at Marais Lamoureux, Gatineau, was seen again this week. The BROWN THRASHER was reported again South-West of Forêt-la-Blanche. At least one EASTERN BLUEBIRD continues on Chemin Steele, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Winter finches continued to be very findable north of the Ottawa River and very rare south of it. Look for PINE SISKIN, PURPLE FINCH, RED CROSSBILL, and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL around Mayo in the East and Chemin Bradley in the West. Single PURPLE FINCH were reported from Richmond and Hammond. A flock of 9 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS flew over Old Almonte Rd. on the 14th. A big increase in sparrow (and wren) reports this week is more likely the result of the Great Backyard Bird Count, and not a harbinger of spring. CHIPPING SPARROWS were reported from Carleton Place, Bells Corners, and along the Rideau. A single Song Sparrow was reported from Ottawa Valley Rail Trail, Lanark County. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were reported from Russell, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, and Britannia Conservation Area. 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.