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 King Rail was reported in Ottawa for the first time in almost 150 years at an undisclosed location. A good weekend to check your local marsh? Both returning warblers and post-breeding local dispersal picked up this week. Trumpeter Swan (2) Continuing, Constance Creek, Ottawa. Continuing, Marlborough Forest--Roger's Pond, Ottawa. Common Goldeneye (2) Jul 23, 27, Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker - Jul 23, Dewberry Trail, Ottawa. Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Continuing, Ritchie Ave/Goodin, Constance Bay, Ottawa. Lesser Black-backed Gull (6) Jul 20, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Jul 19-24, Marais aux Grenouillettes, Gatineau. Carolina Wren (4) Continuing Frank Ryn & Elmhurst Parks, Ottawa. Jul 27, CISCO campus, Innovation Dr. Kanata/Ottawa Sedge Wren (5) Continuing, Stittsville--Trans Canada Trail, Ottawa. (4) Jul 23, Torbolton Ridge Rd, Ottawa. Jul 22, Bonnie Lane (NE end), Kinburn, Ottawa. Please refrain from luring sensitive species such as Sedge Wrens with playback as they are still establishing late season territories. Northern Mockingbird - Continuing, Ottawa International Airport, Ottawa. Pine Siskin - Continuing, Crystal Beach, Ottawa. Continuing Stittsville--Trans Canada Trail, Ottawa. Northern Parula -Jul 26, Shirley's Bay, Ottawa. Jul 25, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Jul 22-23, Stittsville--Trans Canada Trail, Ottawa. Jul 23, Champlain Park Neighbourhood, Ottawa. Jul 21-22, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Tennessee Warbler - Jul 19, 24, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Jul 24, Stittsville--Trans Canada Trail, Ottawa. Jul 22, Greenbelt Pathway West, Ottawa. Bay-breasted Warbler - Jul 25, Ottawa--Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Jul 24, Stittsville--Trans Canada Trail, Ottawa. eBird tip: In the late summer ducks are in active moult. This can drastically alter their appearance so please exercise caution, even with “routine” identifications. Mallards are particularly problematic, some can become very dark with feather wear causing them to be misidentified as American Black Duck, moulting males can look like hybrids, and others can have odd white patches suggestive at first glance of other species like Gadwall. Atlas note: Have you noticed that many of our resident birds are constantly carrying food these days? They are gathering food for their young and it is behaviour that confirms breeding. Whether singing or carrying food, your observations of our resident birds are most welcome in the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: a once in a generation opportunity to provide important data that will help inform conservation policies for years to come. #youcanatlasthat anywhere in Ontario via the NatureCounts app, the Atlas website, or by importing an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org