Winter weather brings birds to feeders

What a difference a week makes. Last week fall, this week winter! If you haven’t had an opportunity to put up your feeders, now is the time. Bird activity at feeders has increased since the weekend and now with 25+ centimetres of snow on the ground, the birds are looking for additional feed.

On Nov. 27, Bob Palmer of Kenmore reported a feeding frenzy of Northern Cardinals, Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays and Mourning Doves. The juncos, normally a ground feeder, were at the suet cake picking at the seeds. After the snowstorm, a Red-winged Blackbird was a surprise visitor at Tony Humphrey’s feeder in Orléans. With the recent snow and colder temperatures, any late-lingering birds will be looking for food. Over the years numerous unusual species have shown up at feeders during late fall/early winter, including Harris’s Sparrows, Varied Thrushes, Yellow-throated Warblers and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, to name a few. Also watch for Carolina Wrens, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and any unusual sparrows or warblers. Anything is possible, keep your camera handy.

With Christmas less than a month away, I’ve had a number of inquiries about bird feeders and field guides. Both would make excellent Christmas gifts.

If you are looking to purchase a bird feeder, there is no shortage of styles on the market. The two most popular types are the cylinder feeder or the gravity/hopper-style feeder. Both work well in our region and range in price from $20 to $120 plus the accessories. You may want to mount your feeder on a pole or hang it from a tree branch. Remember to choose a location on your property that is visible from your home. Most birds enjoy sunflower seed, nyjer seed or a mixture.

Check out Wild Birds Unlimited (ottawa.wbu.com) at 1500 Bank St. in Ottawa south. They have a nice variety feeders and feed.

Each year more “field guides” are put on the market but only a few are worth adding to your reference library. The top three are the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America and The Peterson’s Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. For those birders who enjoy travelling to various regions in North America, the newest field guide is the National Geographic sixth edition, 2011, Field Guide to the birds of North America. This guide has the most up-to-date bird names, range maps and art work. I highly recommend this book.

Snowy Owls continue to be reported in the Ottawa-Gatineau district. An immature bird was observed hunting in a harvested corn field on Nov. 24 and another immature one was found along the Ottawa River near Shirley’s Bay on Nov. 25. On Nov. 26 an adult Golden Eagle was observed along the Carp Ridge near Thomas Dolan Parkway. Both Merlins and Cooper’s Hawks were reported from city parks and bird feeders during the past week.

Waterfowl numbers along the Ottawa River have dropped off with the cold and snow. South of Ottawa on Nov. 25, Bob Watt watched wave after wave of Snow Geese as they were on the move past the Chesterville-Winchester area. Now with snow cover, most Canada Geese will be on their way south, too.

The variety of gull species migrating though our area continues to increase as both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls have been observed at local landfill sites and along the Ottawa River. These two species are referred to as “white-winged gulls” due to their pale wing tips. Both of these arctic gulls winter along the St. Lawrence River and are occasionally found during the winter months in the Ottawa-Gatineau district.

The number of Snow Bunting reports continues to increase in the area. A large flock of 800+ was observed by Brian Morin on Nov. 21 near Embrun. Check open field habitat, road sides and manure piles for the buntings.

I’ve received a number of sightings of Pileated Woodpecker during the past week from within the city if Ottawa. These large crested woodpeckers have increased over the past few decades and now with the Emerald Ash Borer infecting ash trees, this woodpecker may become a regular sight in the city. Watch for other woodpecker species including Hairy, Downy and Black-backed Woodpeckers.

Thanks to all birders, photographers and feeder watchers who sent reports and/or photos.

I was away over the past two weeks birding in Arizona and California and will respond to all email inquiries this coming week. Email bird observations and/or photos to bruce.dilabio@sympatico. ca, subject line Ottawa Citizen Birds. Provide date, location and photographer’s name. The birding Code of Ethics and guidelines of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club can be found at ofnc.ca/birding/Code-of-Conduct.pdf. To reach the Wild Bird Care Centre for orphaned and injured birds, call 613828-2849. Report bird bands to www. pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv/. Access to Shirley’s Bay is restricted. Obtain permission from the office, 613- 9915740, before entering.

CHRISTINE FITZGERALD PHOTO A male Mallard attempts to land on the frozen Mud Lake and finds a chilly reception

WILSON HUM PHOTO Snowy Owls are on the move south with this one seen in Ottawa. Watch for this arctic owl in open farmland, surrounding fields and the shores of rivers.

During the recent snow storm, bird activity at feeders was on the increase with this Dark-eyed Junco, left, feeding alone and Chickadee and Downy Woodpecker sharing some treats at the same feeder, right.

MICHAEL HARRISON PHOTO With winter conditions gripping the region, the Sandhill Cranes are heading south for the winter. These ones were seen in Carlsbad Springs just days before the snow landed.

VIRGINIA MCEWEN PHOTO Once a rarity in the area, the Northern Cardinal is now a regular sight with this one spotted in Ottawa.

BOB PALMER PHOTOS

JOE WILSON PHOTO The Ruffed Grouse is a permanent resident in our region and can be found in wooded areas including Jack Pine Trail. This one was seen in Shirley’s Bay.

TOM DEVECSERI PHOTO A puffed up Merlin tries to keep warm on a cold morning in Navan.