Slow, steady fall migration brings new arrivals to region
Fall migration continues at a slow but steady pace with a number of new arrivals over the past week including Lincoln’s Sparrows, Gray-cheeked Thrushes and White-crowned Sparrows, to name a few.
During the past week, at least 24 species of warblers were reported, with the Yellowrumped Warbler being the most abundant. Formerly called Myrtle Warbler, this species typically lingers late into the fall and is occasionally reported in November.
The highlight of the week was an immature “plegadis ibis” species, either Glossy or White-faced first observed and photographed on Sept. 15 at Andrew Haydon Park by Gary Wong. The bird was rediscovered further west along the Ottawa River at Shirleys Bay on Sept. 16 and present for a couple of days. Unfortunately, due to the similarity of these species, observers weren’t able to determine which species. Both ibises have been recorded in our region, with only two White-faced Ibis records and more than a dozen Glossy Ibis sightings. Most sightings have been between midApril and mid-July. Hopefully, with close examination of photos, we’ll be able to determine which species. Sometimes we just can’t be certain.
On Sept. 21, there was a good variety of migrants reported at Britannia Conservation Area. A total of 14 species of warblers, including Black-throated Green Warblers, Chestnut-sided Warblers, Blackpoll Warblers, Northern Parulas and two late Yellow Warblers.
The Shirleys Bay area had a nice variety of shorebirds on Sept. 20. With nine species reported, including Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, and one Short-billed Dowitcher. There were up to 17 Great Egrets still present feeding in the bay area, too.
The Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported from a number of locations over the past week with a total of eight individuals at Deschenes Rapids on Sept. 19. Late afternoon and early evening is a great time to check out the gulls as they come in to roost along the Ottawa River.
Interestingly, the Lesser Blackbacked Gull, a Eurasian species, is a relatively recent addition to our Canadian bird life. The first record for Canada was in June 1968 at Churchill, Man., and the first Ontario sighting was from Ottawa on Nov. 13, 1971. This species has increased considerably in North America since the early 1980s and is now a regular migrant in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais. On Sept. 15, a total of 58 were counted in the vicinity of the Lafleche Road turf fields just east of Casselman. Last year, there were counts as high as 80 birds. Their peak migration period is from mid-September to late October in our area.
The bird feeder activity continues to slowly increase, with more reports of American Goldfinch and Purple Finch along with a few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Red-breasted Nuthatches. This is a good time to put up a bird feeder and enjoy the southbound migrants as they stop by for a quick feed before continuing on their way. Watch for a variety of sparrows, including White-throated Sparrow, Whitecrowned Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow. The first migrant Dark-eyed Juncos have been reported and a few young Northern Cardinals are still being fed. If you still have any hummingbirds coming to your feeder that don’t match Ruby-throated Hummingbird, make sure you take a photograph. Anything is possible in the bird world. Enjoy the fall migrants.
Overall, the next couple of weeks, watch along the Ottawa River and larger lakes for Whitewinged Scoters, Surf Scoters, Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks and the first Buffleheads.
Macnamara Field Naturalists are screening The Messenger on Sept. 29 at Arnprior’s O’Brien Theatre. Proceeds from the tickets to the film — $20 each ($10 for students and ages 16 and under) — go to the Macnamara Nature Trail extension project. Tickets are available at the theatre after 6 p.m. on Sept. 29, or can be purchased in advance at mfnc.ca. The film starts at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a discussion panel with Carleton U naturalist Michael Runtz, Nature Canada’s Ted Cheskey, and Ellen Jakubowski of Safe Wings Ottawa. I’d like to thank all birders, photographers and feeder watchers who sent reports and/or photographs during the past week. Please email 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. Access to Shirley’s Bay is restricted and you must be an OFNC member and obtain permission from the Range Control Office before entering the area. Please call 613-991-5740 before entering the Shirley’s Bay causeway area. 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/.