Ottawa/Gatineau: recent sightings to SEP 26, 2024 Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca Low-key but decent birding. The cold front dramatically moved along the migration with an influx of late Sept migrants (especially waterfowl like Widgeon, pintail and Scaup). Also an unidentified Dowitcher (date favours Long-billed). The usual late September suspects, rare or not: Nelson Sparrows, Orange-crowned Warblers, Lincoln Sparrows for everybody, American Pipits in the fields and Gray-cheeked Thrushes sneaking through mostly unseen. Trumpeter Swan (2) Sep 21, Fine Estate, Ottawa. (2) Sep 25, Marlborough Forest--Roger's Pond, Ottawa. Red-headed Woodpecker (4) Sep 20, Torbolton Forest, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Sep 25, Ch Steele, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Common Nighthawk (3) Sep 19, Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. Pacific Loon (1) Sep 26. Lake Dore. Outside the OFNC circle, but early and rare. Least Bittern (1) Sep 22,Carp River Watershed Reclamation Area, Ottawa. Olive-sided Flycatcher (1) Sep 22, Quarry - Ramsay Concession 5A, Mississippi Mills, Lanark. Least Flycatcher (1) Sep 26, Rockcliffe Park Pavilion, Ottawa. (1) Sep 22, Whitney Road, Kemptville, Leeds and Grenville. Grasshopper Sparrow (1) Sep 25, Fine Estate, Ottawa. Nelson's Sparrow (1-3) continue in the usual spot on Constance Bay, Ottawa. (1-2) Carleton Place--Hwy 7 Storm Pond, Lanark. Many Lincoln, Savannah and Song Sparrows to practice streaky sparrow id with at the pond and in the surrounding area. (1) Rockcliffe airport woods, Ottawa. Look for these wherever suitable habitat is found. Ovenbird (1) Sep 25, Brantwood Park, Ottawa. Mourning Warbler (1) Sep 25, Rockcliffe Airport Woods, Ottawa. Yellow Warbler (1) Sep 25, Brantwood Park, Ottawa. Atlas notes: Did you encounter a singing bird back in May? Have you seen fledged birds or adult birds carrying food in the summer? Do you have photographs of local species from this summer? If so, it is not too late to join one of Ontario’s largest citizen science projects by adding your observations to the 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 taking 90 seconds to import an eBird checklist. For more on the Atlas, visit www.birdsontario.org or contact the Ottawa Regional Coordinator at Ottawa@birdsontario.org.