WINTER WATCHING
Top tips for bird sightings
Local bird activity around feeders has increased significantly over the past week.
There has been an increase in American Goldfinch reports and a few reports of Pine Siskins, Purple Finches and Evening Grosbeaks. Many feeder watchers have reported Dark-eyed Juncos, American Tree Sparrows and a few White-throated Sparrows. With all the western vagrants observed during late fall-early winter in Eastern Ontario anything is possible at your feeder. Watch for other vagrants including Spotted Towhees, Goldencrowned Sparrows and Harris’s Sparrows.
Interestingly, with the recent extreme cold temperatures, a few feeder watchers have observed ducks. The most unusual sighting was a male Northern Pintail in the Kanata area. On Jan. 9, this male was found feeding on seed under a bird feeder along the Carp River. The Pintail was in a flock of Mallards that took advantage of a bird feeder. Last year there was a Northern Shoveler at feeders in this area.
Over the past couple of years there has been an increase in ducks feeding at feeders along creeks in our region. Other local waterfowl reports over the past week include a female Wood Duck and a female Northern Pintail along the Rideau River and a Greater Scaup at Deschênes Rapids. A female Harlequin Duck was found along the Ottawa River at Remic Rapids on Jan. 10. The Harlequin Duck is a very rare winter visitor and likely was in the area or up river until it was forced out because of the river finally freezing. Over the years we’ve had a number of reports both from Deschênes and Remic Rapids. At least three Barrow’s Goldeneyes continue to be reported along the Rideau River at Strathcona Park.
Suet is a great way to attract birds. You can purchase suet cakes that have a mixture of seeds in the suet or cut the fat from your roasts or steaks and freeze. Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers enjoy suet and even the large Pileated Woodpeckers will sometimes visit suet feeders. Watch for White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Black-capped Chickadees.
Elizabeth Le Geyt swears by her suet mixture of one cup melted suet, lard or drippings from roasts, one cup of chunky peanut butter, three cups of instant oats and three cups of corn meal. Heat the fat and peanut butter until melted and hot. Add the oats and stir and then the cornmeal. You can add raisins, berries, chopped peanuts, wild bird seed or nuts to the mix. This mix can be put into a log that has had holes drilled in it. The holes should be widely spaced and staggered so that the birds do not rub their feathers on the mix. It also can be put into an empty half coconut shell or stuffed into a very large cone and hung in a tree or bush. The birds will enjoy this treat.
Bald Eagles are being seen across Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais. This species has expanded as a breeder in our region and is no longer unusual to find during the winter months. Don’t be surprised if you see one flying along the Ottawa River or Rideau River right in Ottawa searching for food. These scavengers are searching for injured or dead animals to feed on.
I’ve received a number of reports of Cooper’s Hawks at feeders eating Mourning Doves and Rock Pigeons. This hawk was once very rare during the winter months but has become a more regular sight. Feeder watchers should also be on the alert for a few other species of hawks that enjoy a quick and easy meal including Sharp-shinned Hawks, Merlins and Red-tailed Hawks.
The Bullock’s Oriole at Pakenham is doing well since being captured and brought to the Wild Bird Care Centre on Jan. 6. The Oriole has gained seven grams. The Summer Tanager found in late December was last reported on Jan. 9 visiting feeders in the area. There have been a number of late lingering birds reported over the past week including Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Hopefully, these individuals have a good source of food to survive the winter months.