By Bruce Di Labio, Ottawa Citizen, March 27, 2014
There has been a recent influx of Purple Finches in our region, with this one seen in Carp. Watch for this species at your feeders, they enjoy sunflower seeds.Photograph by: Bruce Di LabioThough temperatures continue to be below normal for late March, we are now seeing a small number of spring migrants in the Ottawa-Gatineau district. The first Red-winged Blackbirds were reported on March 18 followed by Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds and Song Sparrows.
Two Great Blue Herons were observed flying over Ottawa south on March 23 by Gord Belyea and a Northern Flicker was at a suet feeder in the Crystal Bay area on March 19. Ring-billed Gull numbers at Deschenes Rapids have been fluctuating due to the recent cold weather. On March 26 a small flock of eight were seen compared to 150+ last week.