Are you a nature lover and a book lover? Would an OFNC-run Book Club that focuses on new titles in natural history interest you? We would be grateful for your thoughts in this short survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbvEG4mXwYDOBjdY_1lvHC3K-0C9P682a2i_72l5JvBEqc0w/viewform?usp=sf_link The survey will run until June 15, 2024, so be sure to submit your responses before then. Thank you ..read more

The OFNC maintained 4 winter feeding stations in 2023-24.  Three of these feeders are on NCC property and authorized by LAP 25743.  The fourth feeder is at the Museum of Nature in Gatineau. A pole mounted feeder is located at the Dewberry Trail near P23 on Dolman Ridge.  Suspended feeders are located at the Pine Grove Trail near P18 and another on NCC Trail 28 near the former Wild Bird Care Center. Downy Woodpecker at Stony Swamp Feeder by David Lam The feeders were erected during the warmer weather in November, but filling did not commence until December 1.  Feeders were ..read more

It was a bit cool and overcast but over 35 people showed up before 10 o’clock to explore the natural area at the corner of Riverside Rd and Hunt Club. Owen Clarkin, Chair of Conservation for the OFNC was leading the walk, in collaboration with Andrei Grushman from the Hunt Club Community Association. The most direct route from our meeting spot at Kimberwick and Chancellor was too muddy to use so the group went the long way around up to Riverside and down the paved path to the end of the soccer field. Part way down we stopped to learn about a Swamp White Oak. This species is becoming more commo ..read more

With peak breeding season a few weeks away, the fourth year of the Third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is about to kick into high gear. If you have registered as a participant but want to know more about the Atlas and how to share your observations, I hope you will participate in a virtual meeting on Zoom at 1930 on Monday 15 April 2024. The meeting will provide an Introduction to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas in the Ottawa Region, explain how to share your observations, and entertain questions.  For those who are seeking a bit of a refresher on data entry, this meeting is for you! Pleas ..read more

  Attention Ottawa area Atlassers! Help us celebrate the start of Year 4 by joining us in Kemptville on April 21. You’ll get a chance to learn more about the Atlas, practice atlassing, and meet other atlassers! April 21, 9:30am – 12:30pm: North Grenville Municipal Centre, Kemptville For more information and to register: https://www.birdsontario.org/year-4-kickoff-weekend ..read more

Photo by Aaron Hywarren. The hardy male Western Tanager that was frequenting the West Hunt Club community of Ottawa since late November, perished as a result of a window strike early in the evening of Saturday 23 March 2024. This was the first time this species has ever been recorded in Ottawa, and the Ontario Field Ornithologists was pleased to be able to create the conditions necessary to accommodate both the privacy concerns of the local residents, and the incredible interest in this rare visitor to Eastern Ontario.  In addition to the joy his daily appearances brought to the immedia ..read more

Did you know that as part of your membership with the OFNC you receive a free online subscription to The Canadian Field-Naturalist? (See below for the steps to create an account.) Cover of CFN 137(1-2) The Canadian Field-Naturalist (CFN) has been published since 1880. In its pages, you’ll find articles by the superstar Canadian naturalists of today, building on past contributors like Percy Taverner and Louise de Kiriline Lawrence, as well as work from amateur naturalists just starting their careers. Recently, a special issue celebrated Maritimes naturalist Don McAlpine, of the New Brunswick ..read more

March is coming to an end.  Some early migrants have already arrived.  The next few months bring the excitement of waves of migrants heading to their breeding grounds and others establishing their territories locally.  If you started a year list, or just want to learn where and what you might see in the OFNC study area, here’s a reminder of an excellent reference prepared by Greg Zbitnew.  Check it out at Finding 250 Species – Part 2 ..read more

On Monday March 4, astronomer and repeat presenter Howard Simkover delivered a special presentation to the OFNC via Zoom on solar eclipses. This is particularly timely as a total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, across a swath of North America. Locations not too far from Ottawa in Southeastern Ontario will find themselves in the zone of totality. Howard’s presentations are consistently excellent, and his reputation preceded him – so much so that the Zoom presentation was full, and some people were unable to join live. Happily, the presentation is now available on the OFNC YouTube cha ..read more

Thanks to the continuing efforts by Greg Zbitnew, excellent study documents were updated and are now available on the website.  The first is an annotated checklist of all birds in the OFNC study area and the second is an annotated checklist of rare birds in the same area.  Given the rarities that have been appearing in the past year, these are especially interesting documents. They are available at Ottawa Annotated Checklist of All Birds -December 2023  and Ottawa Annotated Checklist of Rare Birds December 2023   ..read more