UNSETTLED WEATHER

Changes ruffle feathers

What a difference a week can make, snow and cold then a day of 20 C. These conditions are quite familiar to us all as the transition period or battle between fall and winter commences. To illustrate how temperature fluctuations affect the birding world, on Nov. 24 I received a couple of reports of Northern Cardinals singing and, even more remarkable, a Pine Warbler in full spring song. I’ve heard of Pine Warblers singing in early October but never this late. This week, I’m sure that poor Pine Warbler is wondering what happened to the warm weather and is now looking for a bird feeder.

With our first taste of winter, Christmas Bird Counts are now on the radar. The count period runs from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. There are numerous bird counts throughout Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais. Field observers and feeder watchers are needed to participate by counting birds in the field or at your feeder. The annual Ottawa- Gatineau Christmas Bird Count takes place Dec. 14. If you live within a 12-km radius of the Peace Tower and want to report your feeder observations please email birdcounts@ofnc.ca and include your address and the total number of each species observed during the day. Other local counts during this time include Pakenham-Arnprior on Dec. 26, Carleton Place on Dec. 27, and Dunrobin-Breckenridge, Jan. 3. If you are interested in participating, check out the Bird Studies Canada website, www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/cbc/ .

In spite of the cold weather, the variety of waterfowl along the Ottawa and Rideau rivers continues to be interesting. On Nov. 20 there was a large concentration of Canada Geese at Andrew Haydon Park, which included one Brant, one Cackling Goose and two adult Greater White-fronted Geese. In the Richmond area a flock of 21 Snow Geese were reported including a few family groups. In Ottawa, the Rideau River at Strathcona Park continues to be a hot spot for ducks. On Nov. 22 the female Harlequin Duck, a male and female Barrow’s Goldeneye were present along with Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser and one Red-breasted Merganser. A male Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal was also observed in a large concentration of Mallards. On Nov. 20 a male Barrow’s Goldeneye was observed on Dow’s Lake, but was frozen out by Nov. 22. The Barrow’s Goldeneye is a scarce winter visitor to our area and has regularly overwintered mainly along the Ottawa River at Remic Rapids since the early 1970s.

During the past week late lingering land birds included Fox Sparrow on Nov. 20 at Richmond and a Gray Catbird in Ottawa. Feeder watcher reports included a male Red-bellied Woodpecker in Carp and the Tufted Titmouse near Kemptville was last seen on Nov. 22. There has been a recent increase in raptor traffic at local feeders including Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and even a Northern Goshawk. More reports of Snowy Owls this past week included individuals near Winchester, Casselman, Richmond, Smiths Falls and Renfrew.

The City of Ottawa is holding a photography contest in conjunction with the upcoming Wildlife Speaker Series event. Winter Is For the Birds, the fourth and final event in this series, takes place Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive. Local birders and photographers are invited to submit photographs of wild birds taken in or around Ottawa. All entries must be submitted electronically via email at wildlife-faune@ottawa.ca by midnight on Dec. 1 to be eligible. Full contest details, rules and regulations available at Ottawa.ca (search Wildlife Speaker Series).

MARY HINDLE Mary Hindle captured this image of a northern cardinal. Reports of the bird at feeders are on the increase with the recent snow.

VIRGINIA MCEWEN Virginia McEwen captured this image of a Snowy Owl, a bird which continues its southbound movement across Eastern Ontario with reports from Kinburn, Chesterville and Barrhaven.

BRUCE DI LABIO The Mourning Dove is the favourite prey of hungry Cooper’s Hawks during the long winter months in the Ottawa region.

BRUCE DI LABIO The female Harlequin Duck continues to attract birders and photographers along the Rideau River at Strathcona Park.

JUDITH GUSTAFSSON House Finches have been reported by a number of feeder watchers. This resident finch was first recorded in the Ottawa area in 1977.

BRIAN MORIN The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker occurring in Canada. This species is almost crow size in flight. This individual has just picked a moth off the bark.