Arrival of shorebirds an indication fall migration has begun

Though summer is upon us, we are now in the overlap season of birding, with breeders, fall migrants and changes in bird activity and behaviour. Since last week, there has been a definite increase in shorebirds, with a small variety showing up at various sites across eastern Ontario.

On July 1 there were reports of Lesser Yellowlegs and Least Sandpipers in the Embrun area, while three Short-billed Dowitchers were observed at Crysler and an early Black-bellied Plover was seen at Casselman.

Further afield there was a Short-billed Dowitcher reported at Presqu’ile on Tuesday and Solitary Sandpipers have been reported from numerous locations, starting on June 29. The arrival of shorebirds is a good indicator that fall migration has commenced, and there will be more signs as the week’s progress.

Definitely a highlight of the summer is the first documented nesting of a Piping Plover in 100 years in eastern Ontario. Last week, the eggs hatched, and three downy young are now investigating the beaches of Presqu’ile Provincial Park as the adults protect the young and defend the area.

Historically, this plover nested at various sites along the north shore of the Great Lakes, but numbers declined over the decades as habitat loss, sandy beaches, along with a few other factors, including storms and predators, reduced their productivity.

Though both provincially and federally protected, these birds still have an uphill battle to survive as part of our breeding birds in Ontario.

Another species that has declined in Eastern Ontario over the past five decades is the Loggerhead Shrike. It has been extirpated from the Ottawa-Gatineau district since the late 1990s, with only a couple of documented observations over the past 15 years.

Though always an uncommon species there were numerous nesting pairs west and south of Ottawa. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, along backroads between Kanata and Constance Bay, they were easily found in suitable habitat, which included pastureland.

Since the mid 1970s there has been an increase in residential development, farming has changed, with a conversion from pastureland to crops, and many back roads have been upgraded and widened, which resulted in shrikes being hit by cars as they fed and flew low across roads.

The nearest nesting population to the Ottawa area is in the Napanee region, where there is a small breeding population that continues to decline.

On July 3, I was birding in the area and found five Loggerhead Shrikes, including three recently fledged young. The young were capable of flight, but it was weak. Sadly, I found one of the recently fledged young dead along the roadside — likely a result of being struck by a vehicle.

It appears that the Rubythroated Hummingbirds are doing well in our region, and based on the 50-plus emails, most responses were very positive, with multiple birds at feeders. Hummingbirds can be very territorial, fighting off other species that may stop for a drink of nectar.

The Ottawa River water level continues to drop, and up to nine Great Egrets were observed between Britannia and Shirleys Bay on July 2, including a banded individual, 61J, which has been summering in our region since 2011. The summering Rednecked Grebe was still present at Mud Lake on Wednesday. This species is a regular spring and fall migrant but very rare during the summer months.

American White Pelicans continue to be reported in eastern Ontario. A flock of five were observed flying west along the St. Lawrence River, near Iroquois, on July 3.

Don’t forget the first session for Purple Martin banding takes 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.

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, give observer, date and location. The birding Code of Ethics and guidelines of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club can be found at 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 pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/ bblretrv/. Access to Shirleys Bay is restricted. You must obtain permission from the Range Control Office before entering the area. Please call 613-991-5740 for permission.

WILSON HUM The Peregrine Falcon, formerly called Duck Hawk, is a local nester in our area. Once a rare sight, this species has increased over the past four decades, since DDT was banned in the early 1970s.

BRUCE DI LABIO The Upland Sandpiper inhabits the open fields and can be found sitting on fence posts, telephone poles and wires.

JOE WILSON A surprise find was a Long-eared Owl in the Ottawa area. This species is an uncommon migrant and scarce breeder.

A male Northern Cardinal feeds a begging juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. The cowbird is well known for laying eggs in other nests.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only regularly occurring hummingbird in Eastern Canada. If you see a different-looking hummingbird, try to photograph it.