Ottawa/Gatineau: recent sightings to Jan 30, 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 Almost identical report to last week. Go find that undiscovered rare bird. Or checkout somewhere you don't normally bird. Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa (immature male). Northern Harrier (1) Akins Rd, Ottawa. Belted Kingfisher (1) Stittsville--Hickstead Storm Pond, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Chemin Steele, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. (1) Jan 23, Chemin Vaillancourt, Val-des-Monts, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa. Northern Flicker (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. (1) Spruce Ridge Rd, Ottawa. (1) Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Boreal Chickadee (1) Jan 23, Old Almonte Rd, Ottawa. Gray Catbird (1) Bel Air fields, Ottawa, Ottawa. Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Hermit Thrush (1) Bruce Pit, Ottawa. (1) Britannia CA, Ottawa. Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa. White-crowned Sparrow (1) Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. Swamp Sparrow (1) Jan 27, Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa. Eastern Towhee (1) Jan 30, Aylmer, Gatineau. 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