Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca Tundra Swans in the usual spots to the east, Trumpeters to the West, and perhaps some mixing in the middle. Green-wing Teal suddenly everywhere. Movement of Vultures (including a Black Vulture) and Golden Eagles. Greater White-fronted Goose (1) Mar 06, Dilworth Rd, Ottawa. Mar 05, Limebank Rd north of Spratt Rd, Ottawa. Mar 05, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. (1) Mar 03, Waterloo St, Ottawa. Trumpeter Swan (4) Mar 07, John Shaw Road, Kinburn, Ottawa. (3) Mar 05, Dunrobin (Constance Creek), Ottawa. Mar 05, Baxter CA, Ottawa. Tundra Swan (20ish) Mar 07, Shea Rd, Ottawa. (22) Mar 06-07, Milton Road, Ottawa. Mar 06, Brownlee Road (between Shea and Eagleson Roads), Ottawa. (2) Mar05- 06, Frank Kenny Rd, Ottawa. Gadwall (1) Mar 05, Rideau Valley Drive, Ottawa. Rideau River south of Kars boat launch. Ring-necked Duck (4) Mar 06,Roger Stevens Drive, Ottawa. (3) Mar 06, Rideau River Provincial Park, Ottawa. (1) Mar 05, Parc Moussette, Gatineau. (5) Mar 05-07, Britannia Park (pier), Ottawa. Lesser Scaup (4) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (2) Mar 05, Remic Rapids Lookout, Ottawa. (1) Kennedy-Craig Forest, Ottawa. Killdeer (1) Mar 06, Navan (Giroux Road Ponds), Ottawa. (1) Mar 05, Ottawa International Airport, Ottawa. Mar 05, Emerald Meadows x Eagleson storm water ponds, Ottawa. (1) Mar 04, Chemin Baillie et Perry, (Aylmer), Gatineau. (1) American Woodcock (1) Mar 05, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. Double-crested Cormorant (1) Mar 04, Deschenes Rapids Lookout, Ottawa. Lesser Black-backed Gull (1) Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. (2) Mar 03, Baie Simard, Gatineau. Black Vulture (1) Mar 04, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. Turkey Vulture(1) Mar 07, March Rd at 417, Ottawa. (1) Mar 05, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa. (2) Mar 05, Elmvale area, Ottawa. (1) . Mar 05, Carling Ave, Ottawa. (1) Mar 05, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. Golden Eagle (1) Mar 07, John Shaw Rd, Ottawa. (1) Mar 07, Milton Rd, Vars, Ottawa. (1) Mar 06, Milton Road, Ottawa. (2) Mar 04-05, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. (1) Mar 05, Canon Smith Dr, Ottawa. (2) Mar 05, Birchgove Rd, Sarsfield, Ottawa. Belted Kingfisher- Chapman Mills CA, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) 3rd Line Road South, Ottawa. (1) Mar 03, Parc de la Gatineau, Relais Shilly Shally, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. (1) Mar 03, Copeland Rd near Munster, Ottawa. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Winter Wren (1) Mar 05, Rockcliffe Park & McKay Lake, Ottawa. (1) Mar 04, Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa. Eastern Bluebird (2) Mar 07, Greenland Road Hawkwatch, Ottawa. (2) Mar 05, Fifth Line at Berry Side road, Ottawa. (1) Mar 05- Richmond SE - Goodstown Rd, Ottawa. White-crowned Sparrow (1) Mar 05, Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. Eastern Towhee - Continuing, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa. Western Tanager - Continuing, McCarthy Woods, Ottawa. eBird tip: Swans, particularly at a distance, can be an identification challenge. Three species are possible in our region: Mute Swan breeds just to the south (as close as Smith Falls), small flocks of Tundra are passing through on their way north, and pairs of Trumpeter are establishing territories particularly in the Rideau Lakes and in southern Renfrew counties; occasionally all three will occur together. If unsure, please record them as Swan species.” 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 sizable 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