PRIME TIME FOR SHOREBIRD SIGHTINGS

It’s been an endless summer so far, with relentless heat and humidity. We seem to be experiencing it every week for the past month, but it hasn’t deterred the birds, birdwatchers or photographers.

With temperatures often in the high 20s, it’s best to get out earlier, before the heat of the day and humidity level rises. Waders and other species of water birds will be active during heat, while the land bird activity does sometimes quiet down in the heat. With the lack of any serious rain over the past month, the Ottawa River water level continues to drop, exposing lots of good habitat for migrating shorebirds and other water birds.

Shirleys Bay Causeway continues to be the hot spot for waders, while the Britannia Conservation Area/Mud Lake and the NCC trails at Shirleys Bay have had an increase in warblers along with other species of land birds over the past week.

The month of August is typically an exciting time for shorebird watching and has produced a number of significant species over the years, including a Spotted Redshank, Piping Plover, Hudsonian Godwit, and Red Phalarope. With lower water levels on the Ottawa River, the Shirleys Bay area continues to attract migrating water birds. On Aug. 9, there was a nice selection of shorebirds with an increase in juvenile plumaged birds. A total of 11 species were observed including one Solitary Sandpiper, one Greater Yellowlegs, 27 Lesser Yellowlegs, 72 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 42 Least Sandpipers, one Pectoral Sandpiper, 64 Killdeer and six Semipalmated Plovers.

The number of Great Egrets continues to increase along the Ottawa River. I’ve received numerous reports from Britannia Park, Andrew Haydon Park, Shirleys Bay, and along the Carp River between Carp and Kanata. On Aug. 10, there were 25 feeding at Shirleys Bay. This once rare visitor was first recorded in the Ottawa-Gatineau district in 1972 and over the past decade has become a regular visitor. The first breeding record for the Ottawa-Gatineau district was found during the summer of 2012 on Conroy Island at Deschênes Rapids when four pairs bred. This summer, at least four pairs bred again and produced 16 young.

Caspian Tern reports are on the increase along the Ottawa River. On Aug. 7, a record high of 36 birds were counted as they fed in the shallow waters along the Ottawa River at Shirleys Bay, Deschênes Rapids and Remic Rapids. At Shirleys Bay a group of 21 birds were observed resting on the exposed mudflat along with a few Common Terns and Ringbilled Gulls.

The Caspian Tern has increased as a summer and early fall visitor to our region over the past three decades. During the 1960s and 1970s it was a rare visitor and most sightings were of single birds and occasionally small groups of up to three birds. In the past 10 years, there has been a significant increase in numbers, which may be a result of an increase in breeding area north or west of our region from Georgian Bay or James Bay area passing through and following the same fall migration route.

The variety of warblers continues to slowly increase as more reports of migrants including Cape May Warblers, Northern Parulas, Magnolia Warblers, Blackburnian Warblers, Canada Warblers and Black-throated Green Warblers from Shirleys Bay, Britannia Conservation Area/Mud Lake and the Arboretum.

Ospreys have been reported from all over the region. It appears they’ve had a great breeding season. The Osprey or Fish Hawk specializes in fish. Watch for Ospreys as they hover over lakes and rivers, then plunge feet-first to catch fish in their talons.

During the next few months, more than 200 species will be passing through Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais. As in springtime, this is one of the most exciting times of the year for both novice and experienced birders. Now is the time to study your field guide, have your camera handy and stock up your feeders. Good luck and keep me posted.

I’d like to thank all birders, photographers and feeder watchers who sent reports and/or photographs during the past week. Please e-mail bird observations and/ or photographs to: dilabiobirding@ gmail.com Subject line: “Ottawa Citizen Birds.” For photos, please provide date, location, and photographer’s name and for bird reports, observer, date and location. The birding Code of Ethics and guidelines of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club can be found at www.ofnc. ca/ birding/ Code-of-Conduct.pdf. To reach the Wild Bird Care Centre for orphaned and injured birds call 613-828-2849. Report bird bands to www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/ bblretrv/. Access to Shirley’s Bay is restricted. You must obtain permission from the Range Control Office before entering the area. Please call 613-991-5740 for permission.

PATRICK HOPKINS A Barred Owl sits quietly after being mobbed by a group of American Crows. If you’re walking along a trail or even in the city and hear a group of crows making a raucous noise, check for an owl.

BRUCE DI LABIO The Virginia Rail is one of a few species of rails that occur in our region.

JUDITH GUSTAFSSON A young House Wren was catching the early morning sun recently.

JUDITH GUSTAFSSON A recently fledged juvenile American Robin has many spots on its breast.

BRUCE DI LABIO During fall migration the names of warblers don’t necessarily match their plumage. This Chestnut-sided Warbler doesn’t always have chestnut sides. Check you field guide or app carefully.

BRUCE DI LABIO The Yellow-throated Vireo is a rare but regular fall migrant in the Ottawa area. There are usually a couple of reports every August or early September.

VIRGINIA McEWEN The Merlin is one of our small falcons that breeds in the Ottawa-Gatineau district.