Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca Warm weather brought geese, early and concentrated. One wonders what else might be lurking after the wild south-west and south winds of Wednesday's night's storm. Snow Goose (400) Feb 28, Moodie and Barnsdale, Ottawa. A bigger flock outside the OFNC Circle at Lafleche Rd, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Greater White-fronted Goose (5) Feb 28, Moodie and Barnsdale, Ottawa. Cackling Goose - Feb 28, Lincoln Heights, Ottawa. Trumpeter Swan (6) Feb 27, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa. Green-winged Teal - Feb 27: Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Feb 27, Cardinal Creek Karst Path, Ottawa. Stittsville--Iber Rd storm pond, Ottawa. Lesser Scaup (4) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Barrow's Goldeneye - Rideau River between Strathcona park and the 417, Ottawa. Feb 27, Almonte--Martin/St. Paul St lookout, Lanark. Lesser Black-backed Gull (2) Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Feb 2, Parc Moussette, Gatineau. Turkey Vulture - Feb 28-29, Chemin Younger, Val-des-monts, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Feb 29, Ridgetop Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa. Feb 27, 16:05 Wakefield, Riverside Drive, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Feb 27, Parc Queen, Gatineau. Belted Kingfisher- Feb 27, Chapman Mills CA, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker - Feb 27, - Parc de la Gatineau--Relais Keogan, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Feb 26-27, Third Line Road, Ottawa. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Winter Wren - Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Eastern Bluebird - Feb 29, Berry Side Road, Dunrobin, Ottawa. Feb 27, Chemin de la Rivière, Luskville, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Feb 27, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. (5) Feb 25, Fitzroy rail bed, Ottawa. Hermit Thrush - Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. Fox Sparrow - Feb 28, Aylmer, Gatineau. White-crowned Sparrow (3) Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. Feb 23, Finescale Way, Ottawa. Eastern Towhee - Continuing, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa. Rusty Blackbird - Feb 26, Parc de Londres, Gatineau. Western Tanager - Continuing, McCarthy Woods, Ottawa. Atlas note: Of late, Red Crossbills have been reported to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas in significant numbers across the Ottawa Atlas Region: an area that covers approximately 7500 km2 across most of Ottawa and parts of several adjoining counties including Prescott-Russell, Lanark, and Renfrew. If you are encountering some “late-winter birding doldrums” and are looking for an interesting way to contribute to the Atlas before peak-breeding season starts in May, then searching for crossbills is for you. Look for sizeable woodlots with cone-bearing conifers – particularly white pines – and have a listen for their unmistakable “kip-kip-kip” calls. They can also be found on roadways enjoying grit. The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas welcomes your observations of Red Crossbills anywhere in Ontario, even if they are simply seen or even just heard. Be sure to take a few minutes to watch their behaviour: pairs have already been formed across our Region, and you may even be fortunate to come across nest building behaviour… a great way to enhance the breeding evidence. Your reports 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 in the Atlas is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird. For more information, visit https://www.birdsontario.org/ or contact the Ottawa Region Atlas Coordinator at mailto:Ottawa@birdsontario.org