Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Derek Dunnett at sightings@ofnc.ca Canvasback - Deschenes rapids west of Britannia, Ottawa. Ring-necked Duck (2) Piste cyc. Sentier des Voyageurs--Pont Champlain<->Parc des Rapides-Deschênes, Gatineau. Also viewable from Bate Island. Lesser Scaup (5) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Barrow's Goldeneye - Rideau River between Strathcona park and the 417, Ottawa. 3 BAGO (2 male, 1 female). Gray Partridge - McFadden Road, Ottawa. Lesser Black-backed Gull (2) Rapides Deschênes (incluant Parc), Gatineau. Moodie Drive Quarry, Ottawa. Often in company with one or two Iceland and or Glaucous Gull, along with Herring Gulls and one or two Ring-billed Gulls. Ring-billed Gull (4) Jan 31, Parc Moussette, Gatineau. Common Loon - Jan 29, Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Great Blue Heron - Jan 27, Sawmill Creek Elementary School, Ottawa. Great Blue Heron - Jan 29, HWY 7 when leaving Carleton Place (heading east), Lanark. Northern Harrier - Eagleson Road from Terry Fox to Old Richmond and beyond, Ottawa. This bird covers a lot of territory. Jan 27, McCarthy Woods, Ottawa. Another was seen near Carlsbad Springs. Belted Kingfisher - Jan 28, Watts Creek Pathway, Ottawa. Jan 27, Chelsea-chemin Notch, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Brown Thrasher - Continuing Hilson Ave and neighbourhood, Ottawa. Winter Wren - Jan 28, Britannia CA, Ottawa. Hermit Thrush - Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Parc du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau. A leucistic American Robin, with white flashes in its wings and tail, is present at the same site in Britannia as the Winter Wren and Hermit Thrush. Chipping Sparrow - Continuing Florizel Park, Ottawa. Rue Connaught, Gatineau. Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Bouvier Road, Prescott and Russell. See discord for rules and address. Savannah Sparrow - Jan 29-31, Lockhead Rd W, Ottawa. Fantastic spot for Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and the occasional Lapland Longspur. Lapland Longspurs are being widely reported in eastern Ontario in larger numbers than usual, including flocks of up to 85 individuals. This may be a function of relatively low snow levels leaving many bare patches available for foraging. The first redpolls of the year for Ottawa county were a small flock seen in Marlborough Forest. Good numbers of Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins and redpolls are being seen just north and west of us; expert some of these to spill into the region over February. White-crowned Sparrow - Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. Eastern Towhee - Continuing, Stony Swamp (Sarsaparilla Trail), Ottawa. Western Tanager - Continuing, McCarthy Woods, Ottawa. The Western Tanager continues and is doing quite well with the relatively mild winter and food donations. If you have enjoyed seeing this unique visitor, please consider providing some seed or suet. Visitors are reminded that searching for the bird in the quiet neighbourhood -- including pointing optics such as binoculars and cameras at homes and fence lines -- is to be avoided. The OFO has worked hard to establish and maintain feeders on public property well to the north of private residences so as to minimize the impact on homeowners. As well, when reporting the bird via eBird, please use the eBird Hotspot (Stakeout Western Tanager) and avoid any locations that will send observers to a specific civic address. Again, the bird is regularly frequenting the feeders so there is no need to search elsewhere. Your understanding and willingness to serve as positive representatives of the birding or the photography community is appreciated, and goes a long way to ensuring a positive experience for everyone Atlas note: Even with winter upon us, there are several bird species that breed here in the Ottawa area. In addition to the ubiquitous Feral Rock Pigeon, Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls are paired and breeding at this time of year. We should also keep a lookout for both White-winged and Red Crossbills as they can breed at any time of year. The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas welcomes your observations of these species, even if they are simply seen or even just heard. 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 Ottawa@birdsontario.org