Bullock's oriole draws flock of birdwatchers to Pakenham, Ont.

A bird that normally makes its home in California has made a rare and unexpected stopover in the Ottawa Valley, to the delight of amateur ornithologists from all over the province.

Birdwatchers have flocked to the area around an apple tree in Pakenham, just west of Ottawa, to catch a glimpse of Icterus bullockii, or Bullock's oriole.

With contrasting orange and black plumage, a black throat patch and a white wing bar, the bird resembles the better-known Baltimore oriole.

The Bullock's oriole's normal range is the American West Coast and southward toMexico.

Ray Holland,an avid birdwatcher who lives in the Pakenham area, says he and Richard Waters, a birding friend, made the discoveryon Saturdaywhile they were out looking for another species.

"Quite by chance, sitting in a tree with a whole bunch of house sparrows, there was a bird that we had to look at each other twice," said Holland.

At firstHolland believed the bird was a Baltimore oriole, which would also beunusual for the area, and hereturned homesatisfied with the sighting. But then, using his photographs andbirding guides, heeventually determinedthe discovery was an even rarerfemaleBullock's oriole.

It's absolutely fantastic. It's been mind-boggling.- Ray Holland, birdwatcher

Not wanting to cause an unnecessary flap in the birdwatching community, Holland double-checked his guides before making an announcement online.

Since then, birders have been training their telephoto lenses onan apple tree still laden with fruitatthe south end of Dalkeith Street,where the bird was first spotted.

"It's absolutely fantastic. It's been mind-boggling," saysHolland, who estimates at least 130 people have come to see the bird."For people around here, it's a super bird. It's a mega-birdfor Ontario, an unexpected species."

Birdwatchers catch a rare glimpse of a Bullock's oriole in Packenham, Ont., on Dec. 1, 2015.

9 years ago

Duration 0:44

Birdwatchers catch a rare glimpse of a female Bullock's oriole in Packenham, Ont., on Dec. 1, 2015. It's believed to be the first sighting of the species in the Ottawa area.

Birdwriter and columnistBruce Di Labio was among those who visitedPakenham to see the orioleon Tuesday.He says this sighting is the first-ever confirmed inthe Ottawa area, which birders consider to cover a 50-kilometreradius aroundParliament Hill.

"I think now we're at 363 species in the Ottawa 50K. I've seen [Bullock's orioles]in my travels, but [this is the] first time in Ottawa. Sowe're all very pleased,"Di Labio says.

Holland says another rare species, a Mountain bluebird, appeared in the area recently. Hesays Ottawa-area birders suspect a strong west-to-east jetstream through the month of November may be blowing the birds off their normal course.

Dec.1marks the beginning of birdwatchers'winter checklistseason.That means birders keen to add the Bullock's oriole to their seasonal tallies are likely to continue descending on Pakenham to try catch a glimpse of the rare visitor.

"I just hope everybody gets to see it who came, because some of themcome from a lot of miles away," saysHolland.

Birdwatcher Ray Holland describes the moment he and a friend realized they'd made a rare find.

9 years ago

Duration 0:49

Birdwatcher Ray Holland describes the moment he and a friend realized they'd made a rare find