Ottawa/Gatineau: recent sightings to Feb 06, 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 The cold weather and sparse reports might encourage complacency. Or maybe it's an invitation to try an overlooked greenspace to uncover something really cool and unreported. Northern Shoveler (1) Nepean Creek Trail, Ottawa. Great Blue Heron (1)Feb 02, Last Mile Rd drainage pond, Ottawa. Belted Kingfisher (1) Feb 02,Stittsville--Hickstead Storm Pond, Ottawa. Northern Harrier (1) Fine Estate, Ottawa. (1) Feb 03, Trail Road Landfill, Ottawa. Red-headed Woodpecker (1) Constance Bay, Ottawa. Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Stony Swamp (Jack Pine Trail), Ottawa. (1) Feb 05, Parc de la Gatineau--Sentier Gamelin, Gatineau. (1) Feb 04, Lac McGregor, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Northern Flicker (1) Stonecrest Rd, Ottawa. (1) Spruce Ridge Rd, Ottawa. (1) Forêt Boucher, Gatineau, Quebec. Gray Catbird (1) Arlington Woods, Ottawa. Winter Wren (1) Britannia CA (general location), Ottawa. Pine Grosbeak (1) Feb 04, Fine Estate, Ottawa. Hermit Thrush (1) Feb 01, Britannia CA, Ottawa. (1) Feb 01, Parc Queen, Gatineau. Chipping Sparrow (1) Richland Dr, Ottawa. White-crowned Sparrow (1) Greenbank Pond, Ottawa. (1) Rue de la Loire, Gatineau. Swamp Sparrow (1) Feb 01, Stony Swamp (Chipmunk Trail), Ottawa. Eastern Towhee (1) Feb 02, Rue Alexis-Rajotte, Aylmer, Gatineau. Red-winged Blackbird (3) Feb 06, Pleasant Park-Kilborn Gardens Corridor, Ottawa. (1) Feb 05, Arlington Woods, Ottawa. (1) Feb 02, Beaujolais Crescent, Ottawa. 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