Late-lingering species delight bird watchers
With mild weather continuing in our area, there have been a number of late-lingering species during the past week, including Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Lesser Yellowlegs, and American Pipit.
The highlight was a female Summer Tanager found on Nov. 14 at Bruce Pit. Unfortunately, the bird wasn’t relocated, but is likely still in the area. The Summer Tanager is a very rare visitor to our area with most records during late fall-early winter at bird feeders and in May during spring migration. Last winter, one was discovered late December in the New Edinburgh area and survived at a feeder until mid-February before being picked up below the feeder in weak condition.
A late-lingering, immature Black-crowned Night-Heron was last reported from Andrew Haydon Park on Nov. 10. This is one of the latest records for our area. A few Great Blue Herons have been reported during the past week feeding along small creeks and along the shoreline at Shirleys Bay. A late Lesser Yellowlegs was still present at Constance Bay on Nov. 14 along with a Greater Yellowlegs. Daily coverage at the Britannia Pier yielded another Purple Sandpiper on Nov. 15. Unfortunately, it didn’t linger long enough for others to see.
Greater White-fronted Geese were reported from a number of areas during the past week, including Madawaska Lake, Embrun, Constance Bay and Russell. The large concentration of Snow Geese east of Casselman continues to be enjoyed by many birders, photographers and onlookers. These geese spend part of the day resting and feeding in the sod fields. Please do not approach them as you will flush the flock and view only from the road.
On Nov. 12, a rare blue morph Ross’s Goose was observed in the Snow Goose flock along with a few white morph Ross’s Geese. The Pink-footed Goose avoided detection most of last week, even with numerous observers scanning through the huge flock of geese.
The first Snowy Owl of the season was found at Presqu’ile Provincial Park on Nov. 10. Hopefully, there are more to come south.
Over the years, a number of rarities have shown up at feeders during late fall/early winter, including Dickcissel, Harris’s Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Yellow throated Warbler, and Yellow headed Blackbird to name a few. With colder temperatures on the way, watch for both Carolina Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Tufted Titmice, which are increasing in Eastern Ontario. Anything is possible, keep your camera and field guide handy too.
Winter finches continue to be reported in small numbers throughout Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais. A few lucky feeder watchers have had small flocks of Pine Siskin, Purple Finch and Evening Grosbeak. It’s hard to know if these finches will stay in our area for the winter or move further south in search of food. At Algonquin Park both Red Crossbill and White-winged Crossbill have been reported along with a few Common Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak, and Pine Grosbeak.
If you’re still looking to purchase a bird feeder there is no shortage of styles on the market. The two most popular types are the cylinder feeder or the gravity/hopper style feeder. Both feeders work well in our region and range in price from $20 to $120, plus the accessories. You may want to mount your feeder on a pole or hang it from a tree branch. Remember to choose a location on your property that is visible from your home. Most birds enjoy sunflower seed, nyjer seed, or a mixture.
And don’t forget to put out your suet. Although bulk corn mixtures are less expensive, this type of feed often attracts species such as Rock Pigeons. Most birds are more particular and will pick through your feed discarding the corn along with some of the better feed in the process. Check out Gilligallou Bird Inc at 160 Preston St. or Wild Birds Unlimited at 1500 Bank Street in Ottawa south. Both have a nice variety feeders and feed.
The Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre needs your help. The Centre is struggling to cover the increased costs of caring for 3,300 injured, sick and orphaned birds this year — an all-time high. The Centre has just a few weeks left in its campaign to raise $100,000. To donate visit www.wildbirdcarecentr.org and follow the link to their crowdfunding campaign.
I’d like to thank all birders, photographers and feeder watchers who sent reports and/ or photographs during the past week. Please e-mail 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/.