Ottawa Citizen

Warblers are leading the way in southbound migration

- BRUCE DI LABIO

After a few slow weeks, southbound bird migration is on the upswing in Eastern Ontario, and the Outaouais with warblers leading the way.

A total of 26 species were reported during the past week, including a Golden-winged Warbler in the Kingston area on Aug. 26 and a Hooded Warbler observed at Price Edward Point on Aug. 30. This southern warbler has been expanding its breeding range north over the past few decades, so it doesn’t surprise me that individual­s are found in Eastern Ontario.

The Prince Edward Point area had a nice selection of warblers, including Mourning Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler, to name a few. Other species of note included Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Blue-headed Vireo.

Over the past two weeks the variety of warblers has increased, and unlike last week where the Black-throated Green Warbler was one of the most common, this past week Cape May Warbler, Tennessee Warbler and Magnolia Warbler were the more common species reported from various locations.

Locally, on Aug. 31 there was a good concentrat­ion of warblers at the Britannia Conservati­on Area/ Mud Lake. A total of 19 species were found including Canada Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler and Northern Parula. This area locally referred to by birders as the “ridge” was the most productive with 12 species of warblers. Other migrant land birds included Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelph­ia Vireo, Blueheaded Vireo, Lincoln’s Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow. Despite the activity, there are still lots of species to move through the region.

Remember, there are many areas to search for warblers during the fall, including city parks, wood lots, vegetation along the Rideau River, both Rockcliffe and Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, and the Arboretum. All these locations may have a small variety of warblers and other migrant land birds. Some of the best areas for warblers, however, are the Britannia Conservati­on Area/Mud Lake and Shirleys Bay in the west end, Petrie Island in the east, and along the Ottawa River on the Gatineau side from Deschênes Rapids to the Champlain Bridge.

After a slow start, shorebird watching at Presqu’ile Provincial Park has improved, and on Aug. 28 the first Buff-breasted Sandpiper of the fall season was observed along the beach area. On Aug. 30 and 31 three were found, along with both White-rumped Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper and one juvenile Red Knot. A few small groups of Sanderling­s have been reported, too. Other birds of note included one White-winged Scoter, one Red-necked Grebe and two Blue-grey Gnatcatche­rs.

On Aug. 30, I spent the morning birding Lake Dore near Eganville. With calm conditions, the visibility was great and the bird activity was excellent.

Highlights included two Little Gulls, one winter adult/one juvenile, and one Lesser Black-backed Gull. Other birds of note included 36 adult Common Loons, more than 140 Bonaparte’s Gulls, 750+ Ring-billed Gulls, 50+ Herring Gulls, 650+ Double-crested Cormorants, 40+ Common Terns, one Horned Grebe, one Red-necked Grebe, one American Golden-Plover and one Whimbrel. A brief stop at Westmeath Provincial Park along the Ottawa River produced a few birds, including four Sanderling­s, one Common Goldeneye, and two Black Terns.

Caspian Terns continue to be reported from various locations in Eastern Ontario, including the Mississipp­i River, Big Rideau Lake and along the Ottawa River. There has been a major increase in Caspian Terns in the Ottawa district over the past five decades. During the 1960s and into the 1970s it was a very rare visitor, mainly during the fall. During the 1980s, 1990s and into the 2000s it became a rare but regular visitor again, mainly during late summer and early fall. Since 2010 it has increased as a mid-summer visitor, and flocks up to 10 to 20 are being recorded. This summer, more than 30 terns were found roosting at Deschênes Rapids. With higher numbers along the Ottawa River in Ottawa-Gatineau. They are also being reported in the surroundin­g areas on various large lakes and rivers.

I’ve received a number of reports of American Goldfinche­s, now with young coming to feeders. Also reports of Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds and Northern Cardinals. It appears that the House Finch numbers are down in our area, which is consistent with other locations in Eastern Ontario. 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 with the 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 atofnc.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 the Shirleys Bay Causeway is restricted. You must obtain permission from the Range Control Office before entering the area. Please call 613-991-5740 for permission. View more great photos online at ottawaciti­zen.com/category/life/world-of-birds.

 ?? LISE BALTHAZAR ?? A male Baltimore Oriole takes advantage of a fruit feeder. During the winter months in southern United States and farther south, feeders can be very popular for attracting numerous species of birds.
LISE BALTHAZAR A male Baltimore Oriole takes advantage of a fruit feeder. During the winter months in southern United States and farther south, feeders can be very popular for attracting numerous species of birds.
 ?? BRIAN MORIN ?? The Blackburni­an Warbler is one of the easier warblers to identify in fall plumage.
BRIAN MORIN The Blackburni­an Warbler is one of the easier warblers to identify in fall plumage.
 ?? TOM DEVECSERI ?? Peregrine Falcon reports are on the increase as individual­s have been reported from various locations along the Ottawa River hunting shorebirds — gulls and ducks.
TOM DEVECSERI Peregrine Falcon reports are on the increase as individual­s have been reported from various locations along the Ottawa River hunting shorebirds — gulls and ducks.
 ?? GIOVANNI PARI ?? The Black-throated Green Warbler has been one of the most common species reported recently.
GIOVANNI PARI The Black-throated Green Warbler has been one of the most common species reported recently.
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