Nesting has begun, slowly but surely
Despite the cold, hardy species are already setting up for breeding season
The relentless cold continues to dominate our region and local bird activity and reports are fewer these days. Fortunately many of the overwintering summer birds are still surviving but a few haven’t been reported recently and have possibly succumbed to the prolonged cold temperatures. The overwintering Pine Warbler at Presqu’ile hasn’t been reported since mid-February while the number of White-throated Sparrow reports at local feeders have declined too.
Signs of spring have been few and far between but the first Gray Jay nest under construction was reported from Algonquin Park on Feb. 22. A few Common Ravens have been reported carrying sticks to build or reline nests in eastern Ontario. The spring buildup of waterfowl has started along Lake Ontario at Presqu’ile Provincial Park with a few hundred Greater Scaup along with reports of Redhead, Canvasback, Hooded Merganser and Ringnecked Duck. This park is one of the best locations for the more than 20 species of waterfowl that visit the park during mid-March to early April depending on ice conditions.
Recent reports from the Ottawa-Gatineau district include a Lesser Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser along the Mississippi River at Carleton Place on Feb. 22. It’s difficult to tell if these ducks were spring migrants or individuals that were froze out.
Bohemian Waxwings continue to be reported in large flocks from Shirley’s Bay and the Aylmer area. On Feb. 22 a flock of 800 were observed near the Champlain Bridge feeding on the remaining Buckthorn berries. Snowy Owls reports were received from the Richmond area between Richmond Road and Fallowfield Road along Eagleson Road and in the Barrhaven area. Numerous Bald Eagles were reported over the past week including sightings from Burritts Rapids, Arnprior, Carleton Place and Chaffeys Lock. An impressive count of 26 eagles were reported northeast of Ottawa near St. André Avellin on Feb. 20. These individuals were likely attracted to a deer carcass.
If you’ve been watching your feeder all winter and want to expand on your birding, spring is a wonderful time to start. With birds in their breeding plumage it’s a perfect time to explore other areas in the Ottawa-Gatineau district.
Over the following three months over 250-plus species will migrate through our region with over 100-plus species that will spend the summer breeding.
There are numerous birding locations right in and around the city including Shirley’s Bay, Gatineau Park, Deschênes Rapids, Britannia Conversation Area, Andrew Haydon Park, Vincent Massey Park, Clyde Ave. Woods, the Arboretum, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Jack Pine Trail and the Mer Blue. All these areas offer interesting birding and a wide variety of species from water birds to warblers.
Starting in late March to mid-June these areas are worthwhile checking regularly and by mid-April will have nice variety of species for you to identify. All you need to start bird watching is field guide and a pair of binoculars.
There are numerous bird field guides on the market but I would recommend choosing one from the top three guides which all have a proven track record. The National Geographic, Field guide to the Birds of Eastern North American, Sibley, The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America or the classic, Peterson Guide, 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 6th 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.
There are plenty of binoculars on the market ranging from $300 to more than $2,000.