Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) – Weekly Birding Report Sightings within a 50km radius of Parliament Hill - including eastern Ontario and western Quebec *Compiled by Al Caughey at sightings@ofnc.ca <sightings@ofnc.ca>*< *Update for the week ending on 2026.07.16 (season 1; episode 24)* *In my update last week, I boldly (and erroneously) announced that the Greater White-fronted Goose was no longer being seen in the 50km circle. The next morning, it re-appeared at Andrew Haydon Park in Nepean and was the subject of 70% of the notable bird reports this week (in second place, the continuing Red-headed Woodpeckers in Constance Bay accounted for only(?) 8% of the alerts). The excitement around the Greater White-fronted Goose is well warranted because it is the first summer record for this species (and it is being oh-so cooperative for photographers). Otherwise, the number of species seen held steady (162 vs 165 last week) and the number of notable species dipped slightly from 16 to 12.* *Other than the 'celebrity' goose, new to the notable list this week, we have Common Goldeneye, Bonaparte's Gull, Sedge Wren & Northern Parula. And, we're getting non-notable reports again for Horned Larks, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Evening Grosbeaks & White-winged Crossbills.* *Birds not reported in the past week include: **Brant & Yellow-throated Vireo. On the other hand, the following were reported again, but no longer in regions where they tripped the notable flag: Greater Yellowlegs, Least Bittern, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Carolina Wren, **Clay-colored Sparrow & Golden-winged Warbler* *The coming week should transition from oppressive heat to more seasonable temperatures with moderate rain forecast on Saturday. This should (re-)flood local fields and replenish storm ponds. Check mudflats, flooded rural fields for sandpipers, yellowlegs, and plovers already beginning their southbound migrations from the high Arctic.* *Smoke from the forest fires in Northwestern Ontario & Quebec, on one hand, could silence our resident birds; but on the other, might cause unexpected "fallouts" of shorebirds and early passerines (as they rest and wait out the haze). * *A cautionary note to keep an eye on real-time AQHI readings before committing to long treks (esp. if you have any respiratory sensitivities) - see *https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/onaq-008_e.html fo <https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/onaq-008_e.html>*r up to date readings in your area. * Current Notable Birds: *Greater White-fronted Goose*🆕: at least 92 reports at Andrew Haydon Park [Ottawa] between Jul 10-16 *Trumpeter Swan*: 4 reports at 2 locations - 1 at étang du stationnement P8/P8 du par de Gatineau [Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais] (3 times between Jul 13-16); 2 at Lac au Foin, Pontiac QC [Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais] (on Jul 15); plus 6 non-notable reports in Ottawa *Common Goldeneye*🆕: 2 reports of 1 at Andrew Haydon Park [Ottawa] on Jul 16 *Semipalmated Plover*: a single report of 1 at Andrew Haydon Park [Ottawa] on Jul 14 *Bonaparte's Gull*🆕: a single report of 3 at the Filtration Plan at Mud Lake [Ottawa] on Jul 13 *Great Black-backed Gull*: 4 reports at 2 locations - 1 at Filtration Plant/Point [Ottawa] (on Jul 13); 1 at Moodie Drive Quarry [Ottawa] (3 times on Jul 11) *Lesser Black-backed Gull*: 5 reports at 2 locations - 1 at Moodie Drive Quarry [Ottawa] (4 times between Jul 11-14); 2 at Filtration Plant/Point [Ottawa] (on Jul 11) *Common Loon*: 2 reports of 1 at Lac Pink [Gatineau] on Jul 15; plus non-notable reports at locations in Ottawa [5], Lanark [2], Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais [11] *Red-headed Woodpecker*: 10 reports of as many as 5 continuing at various locations all in the Constance Bay area (between Jul 10-16) *Sedge Wren*🆕: 3 reports at 2 locations - a new individual along Flood Rd [Ottawa] (on Jul 16); another one continuing on Rathwell St [Lanark] (twice on Jul 12); plus non-notable reports at locations in Gatineau [1], Prescott and Russell [2], Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais [2] *Northern Mockingbird*: 7 reports of 1 continuing along Innovation Dr in Kanata (between Jul 10-16) *Northern Parula*🆕: a single report of 1 at the Rockcliffe Airport Woods [Ottawa] on Jul 16; plus 5 non-notable reports in Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais As always, send questions, comments or photos to sightings@ofnc.ca. Your feedback is appreciated. Good birding, Al