Ottawa/Gatineau: recent sightings to Feb 13, 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 A varied thrush injected some color into the whitest part of winter. Northern Shoveler (1) Feb 09, Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. Great Blue Heron (1) Feb 09, Walkley Rd near 417, Ottawa. Belted Kingfisher (1) Feb 09, Kizell Pond, Ottawa. (1) Feb 08, March Valley Rd, Ottawa. Golden Eagle (1) Feb 07, Concession Rd 7B, Mississippi Mills, Lanark. Northern Harrier (1) Feb 09, Lockhead Road, Ottawa Red-shouldered Hawk (1) Feb 12, Roger Stevens Dr, Montague, Lanark. Just barely outside the circle. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Feb 08, Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Ch. Steele, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. (1) Feb 10, Ch Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Feb 09, Ritchie Ave, Ottawa. Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa Winter Wren (1) Feb 08, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), 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. Varied Thrush (1) Feb 12, 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.' Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa. White-throated Sparrow (1) Feb 13, Foxview Pl, Ottawa. (1) Feb 12, Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Feb 12, Carleton University, Ottawa. Swamp Sparrow (1) Feb 12, Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa. Eastern Towhee (1) Feb 02, Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau. Red-winged Blackbird (3) Feb 06, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Gardens Corridor, Ottawa. (1) Feb 08, Arlington Woods, Ottawa. (1) Feb 02, Beaujolais Crescent, 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