November 5 & 6, 2009 Birding along the Ottawa River

The Ottawa River continues to attracted migrants. This afternoon at 1:30p.m. I observed 2 flocks of Red-throated Loons along the river off Andrew Haydon Park. The first flock totaled 31 birds and the second flock 17. There were flying and landing on the river and last seen heading south-east. The Red-throated Loon is a rare fall migrant throughout eastern Ontario and sometimes occurs in large flocks. On November 12, 1984 I observed 2000+ Red-throated Loons off Shirley's Bay during the passage of a cold front. These birds likely came from the James Bay region. The same day we observed a light morph NORTHERN FULMAR flying east over cornfields near Woodlawn. Anything is possible!
Good birding, Bruce

Directions: AHP: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Greenbank Road exit. Turn north and follow to Carling Ave. Turn left and follow to Andrew Haydon Park (Holly Acres Road) and turn right.

Andrew Haydon Park is a good area for Red-breasted Mergansers.

Late lingering Great Blue Herons can be found along creeks and in beaver ponds.

The American Tree Sparrow is a regular fall migrant and over winters in small numbers throughout eastern Ontario.