YOUNG BIRDS FLOCK TO TOWN
Many sighting of babies in Ottawa
In spite of the recent hot and humid weather, the local birding continues to be very interesting with many reports of recently fledged young including Spotted Sandpipers, Ring-billed Gulls, Barred Owls, Northern Flickers, European Starlings and Common Grackles.
Over the past couple of weeks, feeder watchers continue to report an increase in bird activity around their feeders with more young birds. Even though it’s summertime, a couple of Snowy Owls appear to be summering or lingering very late in southern Ontario. After last week’s report, another individual was found near Sarnia. Over the years, there have been a few summering records of the Snowy Owl in Eastern Ontario, mainly on the islands off Kingston. During the summer of 1987 a Snowy Owl was found in the Richmond-North Gower area and was present to at least mid-July.
With high water levels along the Ottawa River now starting to drop, there is suitable feeding habitat for some of the water birds, mainly herons and egrets. On June 29, there were two Great Egrets and a small number of Great Blue Herons observed at Shirley’s Bay, west of the causeway. Only a few southbound shorebirds have been reported with the first adult Lesser Yellowlegs on June 26 at St. Isidore. Another Lesser Yellowlegs was observed along the Carp River in Carp on June 27. These individuals are likely nest failures or nonbreeders now on the move south.
Over the next couple of weeks, there will be a steady increase of adult shorebirds followed by juveniles toward the end of July. I’d recommend checking any recently flooded areas as shorebirds will be looking for good feeding grounds.
Burnt Lands Provincial Park along March Road near Almonte continues to be a good location for a variety of summering sparrow species. On June 25, I observed seven species including three Clay-coloured Sparrows, two Grasshopper Sparrows, along with two Field Sparrows and numerous Song Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows. Later during the morning, I added Lincoln’s Sparrow at the Mer Bleu and both Vesper Sparrow and Swamp Sparrow west of Ottawa.
For many species, late June to early July is the peak time for nesting and the raising of young. Everything from downy young Virginia Rails to fully fledged Red-shouldered Hawks can be found in Eastern Ontario. Reports received this week include Common Gallinule young, American Wigeon young, Northern Pintail young and of course lots of fledged Red-winged Blackbirds and a family of Whitebreasted Nuthatches.
I checked our Chimney Swift nest and the adult is still incubating eggs. The incubation period for swifts is 19-21 days, so hopefully by mid-July they will start hatching.
The adults continue to spend most of their daylight time fly catching high over Carp. Since the chimney retains heat and acts like an incubator, the adults so far have spent little time on the eggs during the day time. At dusk they return to the chimney for the night.
If you’re interested in travelling further afield in search of birds, I recommend birding the Napanee Alvar located just north of Napanee.
This area offers a number of interesting species including the Loggerhead Shrikes, which is now extirpated from the OttawaGatineau district.
Other species to look for include Upland Sandpipers, Grasshopper Sparrows, Claycoloured Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, American Kestrels, and Eastern Towhees. Lots of great early morning birding.
I’ve received few reports of hummingbirds this summer. If you have any, let me know and remember to change the nectar in your feeder during heat waves every 1-2 days or the nectar will ferment and mould will grow.
Also, the first session for Purple Martin banding will take place on Saturday, July 9, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Nepean Sailing Club, 3259 Carling Ave. Join Peter Huszcz for this interactive and educational experience, especially for youngsters.
The second session will be on Saturday, July 16, with the same start time.
The Canadian Geographic is calling on all Canadians to vote for Canada’s official bird by visiting the National Bird Project website at nationalbird.canadiangeographic.ca.
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. 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.