Hilda Feeders

December 26, 2018

A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was being reported every day at Hilda, so off we wen with Craig to check it out.  A photographer was there all set up, with the news that we had just missed it, but that it should return in 10 minutes.  Well, we waited 40 minutes without it showing.  But we did have a Pleated Woodpecker come in, and the usual suspects were around too.

A couple of flocks of Bohemian Waxwings were in the evergreens across the road, but they did not come down low for a decent photo op.

Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count

December 16, 2018

The 100th Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count took place on

Sunday,December 16, 2018. A total of 75 species were reported (average

count 72 species).

Highlights included Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2nd record) and Rose-breasted

Grosbeak (4th record). It was a pleasant day weather wise with an overnight

low of -5c and a daylight high of +2c. With only a few centimeters of snow

left on the ground the overall coverage was good. The Ottawa and Rideau

Rivers were still mainly open but since the deep freeze during the latter

part of November, a number of waterbirds were absent and late lingering

land birds disappeared. Fortunately most species of winter finches were

found in varying numbers.

Other notable species included 4 Barrow's Goldeneye, 3 Belted Kingfisher, 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1 Winter Wren,  and 1 Swamp Sparrow.

There were a number of species missed including Gray Partridge, Great

Horned Owl, and Northern Flicker.

I'd like to thank the co-compilers, Bernie Ladouceur and Daniel Toussaint,

the sector leaders Quebec side: Aylmer: Rod Dubois, Hull:Daniel St.

Hilaire, Ontario side: Britannia: Bruce Di Labio, Ottawa: Aaron Hywarren,

and Gloucester: Bernie Ladouceur and feeder coordinator Lorraine Elworthy.

Finally, on behalf of the Ottawa Field Naturalist Club I'd like to thank

the Club des ornithologues de I'Outaouais for organizing the amazing dinner

and celebration of both the 100th Ottawa CBC and their club's 40th

anniversary.

It was a great time!

Merry Christmas,

Bruce Di Labio

Bruce Di Labio

P.O.Box 538

Carp,Ontario

K0A 1L0

613-715-2571

new email: dilabiobirding@gmail.com

Raptors at Fletcher

Decimeter 15, 2018

We went to Fletcher to do some scouting for the Christmas Bird Count on the following day.  Before we even got there, we spotted a Red-tailed Hawk perched at the side of Prince of Wales Drive.  We parked at Fletcher, put on our microspikes, and hoofed over there.  By this time, 3 or 4 cars had stopped with photographers out taking photos.  I was sure the hawk would bolt, but it did not, at least not until we had our shots.

Next stop was over to the feeder to find the Barred Owl.  It was perched in behind; easy to spot with photographers pointing the way.

We went down the hill to the canal looking for Pine Grosbeaks, but came up empty on that one.  We went back to the feeder by the building - sure glad we had our spikes!  We saw a few of the expected species there.