Wednesday 30 March 2016

Return of the Spring Birds

We have been noticing increasing birdsong throughout the neighbourhood over the past couple of weeks, so we reached out to the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (http://www.ofnc.ca/) to learn more about our feathered friends and how we can make our neighbourhood inviting to them. 

Q1. What kinds of birds are commonly spotted in Ottawa’s residential neighbourhoods?

There are a good number of species found in the urban environment, notably House Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, American Goldfinch, House Finch, AmericanRobin, Blue Jay, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Crow, Rock Pigeon, MourningDove, Merlin, European Starling, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, and Dark-eyed Junco. Great BlueHerons, Canada Geese, Mallards and Black Ducks are found in ponds and along the river.  People watching the sky may see the occasional Bald Eagle drift by or some of the smaller hawks like the Cooper's or Sharp Shinned Hawk.  The list is more extensive but you get the idea.  The Ottawa bird list is well over 300 species

Q2. We have noticed birds returning to the neighbourhood in the past few weeks.  When do the common migratory birds in the neighbourhood typically return to the city?

Waterfowl [ducks and geese] have already started arriving over the last week or so, and some of the early sparrows and blackbirds have arrived.  Later, around the first weeks of May warblers, vireos and other songbirds will start to arrive.  These later arrivals are mostly insectivores and will wait until there is an abundant food source available. 

Q3. Is there anything that residents can do to support migratory birds that are passing through the neighbourhood during this time of year?

Food, water and shelter are what they will be looking for.  A brush pile for them to hide in, feeders and a bird bath with fresh water would be something they would look for.

Q4. Are there any ways in which we can plan our yards and gardens to be particularly attractive to birds?

The OFNC has developed a page called “Creating a safe garden for birds” located at http://www.ofnc.ca/fletcher/your-garden/htbirds_e.php which includes tips on how to provide birds with the types of food, shelter, water, and nest sites that they need.  They also recommend the Fletcher Wildlife Garden site located at http://www.ofnc.ca/fletcher/index.php#.VvbagHoYFnk.  This garden is a project designed to demonstrate how to create wildlife-friendly habitat and gardens on urban or rural properties emphasizing the use of plants native to the Ottawa region.

Q5. Do different types of bird seed appeal to different types of birds? If so, which types of feed will have the broadest appeal?

Short answer - yes.  But birds will eat most seeds if they need to.  I usually have a couple of feeders with mixed seed, one with niger seed and some suet holders

Q6. Are there any birds which are under threat in the area, and what can residents do to protect these birds or encourage them to return?

Birds that nest in rural areas, field birds such as the Bobolink, EasternMeadowlark and the Upland Sandpiper are at risk because of early planting and harvesting for the fields they nest in, resulting in mortality of the young that are unable to fly.  Urban birds like the American Goldfinch use dandelions for food and nesting materiel and so are at risk of herbicides [as are many birds from pesticides as well]

Q7. How can people in our community learn more about Ottawa’s birds and other wildlife?

Best Answer - Join the OFNC!  The club can also provide speakers and walk leaders to help non-club groups to help learn about all aspects of nature, birds, trees, rocks, ferns etc.

Monday 21 March 2016

Petition Requesting a Change to the Parking Regulation

We have received complaints from members of our community regarding cars blocking driveways and have approached the city for ideas on how to address this concern.  A solution that was proposed was to limit parking to one side of the street on Southwood Drive between Iris Street and Baseline Road. 

In order for the city to install “no parking” signage to the east side of Southwood Drive a petition has to be completed and there has to be a clear consensus of residents and businesses indicating support for this change. 

A member of the QTSRCA and a city staff member will be going door to door along this area this week with the petition.  This will give you the opportunity to sign or ask questions about this petition.
 
Petition details:
 
Petition Title: Petition Requesting a Change to the Parking Regulation
Petition Number: TSM 5237183
Petition Statement: We, the undersigned petition the City to install “no parking” signage on the east side of Southwood Dr. between Iris St and Baseline Rd.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the community association at qtsrcommunity@gmail.com.

Thursday 17 March 2016

Road closures during St. Patrick’s Day Parade / Fermeture de rues durant le défilé de la St-Patrick

From the City of Ottawa / De la Ville d'Ottawa :

Road closures during St. Patrick’s Day Parade

 
Ottawa - The City of Ottawa is advising motorists to expect delays due to road closures to accommodate the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday, March 19 starting at 11 a.m. and lasting until about 1 p.m.
 
The parking entrance to Ottawa City Hall on Elgin Street will be open as usual; however, the Laurier Avenue entrance will be closed between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
 
The following roads will be closed:
 
·         Westbound lanes on Laurier Avenue between Nicholas Street and Elgin Street (7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
·         Laurier Avenue from City Hall to Bank Street
·         Bank Street from Laurier Avenue to Marché Way (Lansdowne Park)
 
Roads will reopen as the parade passes.
 
The parade will start at Ottawa City Hall on Laurier Avenue, travel west on Laurier Avenue, turn left on Bank Street and end at Marché Way (Lansdowne Park).
 
Businesses at Lansdowne will remain open throughout the parade and motorists can access the site either from Queen Elizabeth Driveway or, if approaching from the south along Bank Street, at Exhibition Way.
 
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For more information:Media contact
613-580-2450
 
Public inquiries:
ottawa.ca
3-1-1
 

 
Pour diffusion immédiate
Le 16 mars 2016
 

Fermeture de rues durant le défilé de la St-Patrick



Ottawa – La Ville d’Ottawa avise les automobilistes de s’attendre à des retards en raison des fermetures de rue pour le défilé de la St-Patrick le samedi 19 mars, de 11 h à approximativement 13 h.
 
L’entrée du stationnement rue Elgin de l’hôtel de ville d’Ottawa sera ouverte comme d’habitude; cependant, l’entrée de l’avenue Laurier sera fermée de 7 h 30 et 13 h 30.
 
Les rues suivantes seront fermées :
 
·         Les voies en direction ouest de l’avenue Laurier, entre les rues Nicholas et Elgin (7 h 30 à 11 h)
·         L’avenue Laurier entre l’hôtel de ville et la rue Bank
·         La rue Bank entre l’avenue Laurier et voie Marché (parc Lansdowne).
 
Les rues rouvriront après le passage du défilé.
 
Le défilé débutera à l’hôtel de ville sur l’avenue Laurier et se déplacera en direction ouest sur l’avenue Laurier, tournera à gauche rue Bank, et se terminera au voie Marché (parc Lansdowne).
 
Les commerces demeureront ouverts au parc Lansdowne durant le défilé. Les automobilistes peuvent accéder à l’installation par la promenade Reine-Élizabeth ou par la voie Exhibition s’ils arrivent de la rue Bank en provenance du sud.
 
 
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Renseignements
Médias
 
Grand public
ottawa.ca
3-1-1

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Kilreen Rink is closed for the season

Our neighbourhood rink at Kilreen Park is now officially closed for the season. 

Thanks again to our official Rink Master Neil for all his hard work, and to the other volunteers who helped out this year!

Monday 7 March 2016

Ottawa Police - Shooting on Elmira Drive

Press release from Ottawa Police regarding the shooting on Elmira Drive

(Ottawa) - At approximately 2:00AM on the 6th day of March 2016, the Ottawa Police Service responded to a call for service about a shooting in the 2000 block of Elmira Drive. Upon arrival, patrol officers located a vehicle that had been struck by a gunshot. A house in the vicinity of the vehicle had also been struck by what appears to be the same gunshot. There were no injuries as a result of this shooting. There are no suspects at this time and the Guns and Gangs Unit is currently investigating.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Guns and Gangs Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5050. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.

Saturday 5 March 2016

Barn Swallow Survey

Nature Canada is leading a project focused on Barn Swallow conservation and stewardship in the Ottawa region. One of their project objectives is to identify key local nesting and feeding areas for Barn Swallows, a species listed as Threatened under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. They have invited the members of our community to participate in a short survey on their local observations of Barn Swallows.

The survey is available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Ottawa_Barn_Swallows

Friday 4 March 2016

Ottawa Police - Vehicle of interest to identify in Cobden Road homicide investigation

The Ottawa Police have posted a photo of a "vehicle of interest" in the Cobden Road shootings that occurred Jan 31, 2015. 

See link below for more info. 

http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/index.aspx?page=2&newsId=422da98b-6470-45f1-82b6-15c38e9c234e