Ottawa/Gatineau: recent sightings to Feb 20, 2025 Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca The Varied Thrush continues … to play hide and seek with birders. The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) flushed out many unreported White-throated Sparrows, Flickers, Red-bellied woodpeckers, etc. The Great Gray and Boreal Owl irruption continues with new individuals of each species this week. Gadwall (1) Feb 20, McNeely Avenue, Carleton Place, Lanark. Barrow's Goldeneye. Bate's Island surrounding vantage points on the river. Great Blue Heron (1) Feb 15, Last Mile Rd drainage pond, Ottawa. Belted Kingfisher (1) Feb 15, March rd/Eagleson rd, Ottawa. Northern Harrier (1) Lockhead Road, Ottawa. (1) Feb 17, Carp--Hidden Lake Trail, Ottawa. Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. (1) Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) James Bell Dr., Ottawa. (1) Feb 15, Hexham Rd, Ottawa. Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Falcon brook rd., Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau. (1) Feb 14, Stonecrest Rd, Ottawa. Winter Wren (1) Feb 08, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa Gray Catbird (1) Feb 09, Hurdman Wood, Ottawa. (1) Arlington Woods, Ottawa. Hermit Thrush (1) Feb 09, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. (1) Feb 07, Parc Queen, Gatineau. Hermit Thrush (1) Feb 18, Extrémité Ch. de l'Hôtel de Ville, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. (1) Feb 16, Tara Dr, Ottawa. Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12-19 (at least), Stonecrest @ Galetta SR, Ottawa. Advice from those who have seen it: 'Use your car as a blind and do not exit the car as it will fly away. Feeding on Juniper berries.' Patience and low expectations may help. Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa. White-throated Sparrow Still rare, but too many reports to list this week thanks to the GBBC. White-crowned Sparrow (1) Feb 15, 6 Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. Eastern Towhee (1) Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau. Brown-headed Cowbird (1) Feb 17, Sixth Line Road, Dunrobin, Baker's Acres, Ottawa. (1) Feb 16, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (2) Feb 15, Castor Rd, Ottawa. Atlas notes: The final year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is now underway. As a direct result of the impressive effort of hundreds of volunteers across the province over the past four years, the Third Atlas is already a rich source of information on Ontario's bird life. Atlassing has been an exciting time of discovery: not only of breeding birds, but of bird behaviour. It has been a great opportunity to explore local patches and beyond. And for many participants, they have embraced the challenge of atlassing as an opportunity to refresh or improve their birding skills including birding-by-ear and the importance of recognizing habitat. There is still time to join in one of Ontario’s most ambitious and community science efforts here in Eastern Ontario. Though peak breeding season is still a few short months away, the Atlas welcomes all reports of both Crossbill species in suitable habitat at any time of year, and we are already into the breeding season for both Eastern Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls. Common Ravens have also been noted doing their mating rituals. Your observations – whether these species are seen or heard – are valuable and will provide essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. Participation is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird using the Nature Counts app. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Region Atlas Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org