Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Road Conditions into The Owl Woods on Amherst Island

I just wanted to let everyone know the condition of the roads into "The Owl Woods" on Amherst Island.

The road in from the North did not seem passable.

Condition of northern road into The Owl Woods
on Amherst Island on December 30, 2008.

The road in from the South Shore Road was open and easy to drive. There was a limited number of parking areas due to the condition of the shoulders. Be careful pulling off the road onto the shoulder as some areas are quite soft.


Condition of road into The Owl Woods from the Southern
Shore Road
on Amherst Island on December 30, 2008.

Also note that the trails around "The Owl Woods" are very icy and extremely slick. Be careful when walking about...I think we all took at least one tumble out there today.

Good birding,
Bruce

Lucky Number 7

Spent the morning birding the "Owl Woods" on Amherst Island starting at 8:00 am. Our first run through yielded only 1 Northern Saw-whet Owl, 7 Long-eared Owls and 3 Short-eared owls hunting over the open fields.

One of the four Northern Saw-whet Owls seen on
Amerherst Island today: this one was very secretive
and took a lot of searching to find!


Another of the Northern Saw-whet Owls
seen on Amherst Island today.

On the second run we found an additional 3 Northern Saw-whet Owls and few more Long-eared Owls. As we were leaving I decided to check one more tree, a spruce in which I had observed Boreal in previous years and to my surprise there it was sitting quietly. It was a "lifer" for a number of the birders who were still searching the woods.

After four hours of searching we finally found
this Boreal Owl tucked in a spruce tree.


Another shot of the elusive Boreal Owl. This
was a "lifer" for many of the birders who
were present in "The Owl Woods" today.

At the east end of the island we observed 1 Snowy Owl on the KFN property.

The "Owl Woods" also had a number of finches including 16 White-winged Crossbill, 3 Pine Siskin and 20+ Common Redpoll. There was 1 Northern Shrike at the north side entrance road to the woods.

We did have a Great Horned Owl along CR4 near Taylor Kidd Road driving down and on our return we observed 3 Eastern Bluebirds along CR 4 at Millhaven Road.

We ended the day in Ottawa with our 7th species of owl, Northern Hawk-Owl, on Grandview Road.

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions:Amherst Island: Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Rd. 4, Camden East) and drive south to the very end (Millhaven). Turn right on Hwy. 33 and drive 100 metres until you see the sign for the Amherst Island ferry. The ferry (20 minute trip) leaves the mainland on the half hour and leaves the island on the hour. Cost is $8.00 Canadian round trip. There are no gas stations on the island. There are restrooms on the ferry, and at the island ferry dock. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island on the east side of the Lower Forty Foot Road. To reach the Owl Woods, turn left (east) at the four-way stop sign by the general store and drive 3.4 km along Front Rd. to the (seasonal) Marshall Forty-Foot Rd. Marshall Forty-Foot Rd. is across the road from house #2320. Drive along Marshall Rd. to the mid-way point, where there is an "S" in the road (1.2 km, look for the K.F.N. kiosk which had owl observing ethics). Park in the gravel lane or off the road edge.Because of liability issues, visitors to the Kingston Field Naturalists' property at the east end of Amherst Island MUST be accompanied by a KFN member. For KFN contact information or how to become a member, please visit http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/

Directions: Northern Hawk-Owl (Ottawa):
From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Moodie Drive exit #134. Go north to Carling Ave. and turn left. Watch for Grandview Road on your right. Follow to the end and turn left on Hastings Str. and park.

If you require additional information, please email me privately.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Favourite tree is gone!

As some of you know, I had an Eastern Screech Owl hanging out in a tree in the ravine behind my house this fall.

Eastern Screech Owl in a tree in the ravine
behind my house in October/November 2008

Unfortunately, we had a big wind storm in Eastern Ontario yesterday with wind gusts in the 100 km/hr range. These strong winds managed to blow down the Eastern Screech Owl's favourite tree!

The Eastern Screech Owl's favourite tree, now downed,
due to high winds in Eastern Ontario on December 28, 2008

Good Birding,
Bruce

Another Feeder Bird to Watch Out For....

Another feeder bird to watch out for is the Snow Bunting. This arctic breeder winters in southern Canada and the northern United States. Ben and I saw these birds while we were out on the Cornwall Christmas Bird Count on December 27, 2008.

Snow Buntings on the roadside during the
2008 Cornwall Christmas Bird Count


Good Birding,
Bruce & Ben

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Report Banded Birds

Sometimes when we're out in the field or even around the city, we come across a colour-banded bird or find a dead bird that is banded. Reporting banded birds is extremely important to help researchers better understand bird populations. There are two places to report banded birds:

Canada: Canadian Wildlife Service Bird Banding Office
USA: http://www.reportband.gov (As I post this, the site is down!)

These links will be on the links page of my website for future reference should you come across banded birds.

This photograph is of a flock of Sanderlings. Three of the individuals in this flock were colour banded. These were reported and I received a certificate of appreciation for doing so!

Flock of Sanderlings in Churchill, MB.
Three of the birds in this flock were banded.


Certificate of Appreciation I received for
reporting the banded Sanderling


My brother was also in California and saw this California Condor. You can see that the condor has wing tags. This is another way that birds are tagged and these should also be reported.

California Condor with wing tags near Big Sur, California.
This photo was taken by Mark Dilabio in February 2006.


I've also posted a link on my website to an article titled "A Colour-marked Shorebird at Ottawa Beach" that was written by Barbara Campbell and me.

Good birding,
Bruce

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Ottawa: Gyrfalcon

December 27, 2008

Today at 3:30 pm, my son Ben and I observed a pale Gyrfalcon fly over Hwy. 417 at Woodroffe Ave. heading north. There was an earlier observation on December 24th of a white morph Gyrfalcon near the corner of Old Carp Road and March Road.

Along Hertzberg Road we had a flock of 100+ Bohemian Waxwing and 25+ White-winged Crossbill.

Good birding,
Bruce & Ben

Friday, December 26, 2008

Eastern Ontario: Northern Hawk-Owls, Varied Thrush, and Bohemian Waxwings

December 26, 2008

My son Ben and I spent the day birding various areas in Eastern Ontario. We started the morning on the Pakenham-Arnprior CBC until noon. There were lots of finches around including 150+ White-winged Crossbills in the town of Arnprior.

White-winged Crossbills are on the move, devouring
cones crops as they pass through our region.

Along the Madawaska River we observed a very late Pied-billed Grebe near the boat launch area.

Pied-billed Grebe on the Madawaska River

We also had 150+ Bohemian Waxwings, small flocks at various locations.

During the afternoon we observed a Snowy Owl along Munro Drive near Kinburn, the Northern Hawk-Owl which was still just west of Perth along Cameron Side Road, the Varied Thrush still coming to the feeder near Watsons Corners and the Grandview Road Northern Hawk-Owl was still present.

Northern Hawk Owl

Keep your cameras and bird books closeby:
anything can show up at your feeder!
This is a photo of a Varied Thrush.


If you require additional information, please email me privately.

Good birding,
Bruce & Ben

Directions: Northern Hawk-Owl (Ottawa): From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Moodie Drive exit #134. Go north to Carling Ave. and turn left. Watch for Grandview Road on your right. Follow to the end and turn left on Hastings Str. and park. If you require additional information, please email me privately.

Directions: Northern Hawk-Owl (Perth area): From Ottawa take Hwy 7 west through Perth to Cameron Side Road approximately 12 kms west. Watch for it in the general area.

Directions: Varied Thrush: To get to Dalhousie Conc. 6 from Ottawa, take Hwy 417 west to exit 155 and take County Road 49 to Almonte. Drive through Almonte and follow Wolf Grove Road (County Rd. 16) to the village of Hopetown. Turn south on County Rd 511 towards Lanark for about five km. and then go west on County Rd 8, through the hamlet of Watson's Corners, and another four km to Dalhousie Conc. 6. Turn south to #800.

The years go by...

Here's a picture of Michael Runtz and I on the Carleton Place Christmas Bird Count on a very mild and foggy day in 1984.


Here's a picture of Michael and I on the Pakenham-Arnprior CBC on December 26, 2008, almost 25 years later. Michael has been on Christmas Bird Counts for 43 consecutive years and me for 38 consective years.

Photo of Bruce & Mike taken by Ben Di Labio

Good Birding,
Bruce

Who Am I?

Here's a little Birding Quiz to entertain you this Boxing Day...I hope to make these little quizzes a regular feature of the Blog, so check back soon to see if you were right and to test your Birding IQ again.


Who am I?


Photo 1

Photo 2

Post your thoughts in comments.

Good birding,
Bruce

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Northern Hawk Owl - Ottawa

December 24, 2008

While finishing up my Christmas shopping this afternoon made a brief stop at the Northern Hawk-Owl off Grandview Road and it was still present sitting up in a tree at the end of Grandview Road along Hasting Str. On Huntmar Road near Old Carp Road observed a flock of 40+ White-winged Crossbills and 22 Pine Siskins. On the Old Carp Road there was a flock of 26 Wild turkeys feeding near the corner of Second line Rd.

Merry Christmas,
Bruce

Directions:
Northern Hawk-Owl(Ottawa): From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Moodie Drive exit #134. Go north to Carling Ave. and turn left. Watch for Grandview Road on your right. Follow to the end and turn left on Hastings Str. and park. If you require additional information, please email me privately.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Answers to December 20, 2008 Odds & Sods Questions

The answers to the December 20, 2008 Odds & Sods posting questions are:

1) There are 60 rock pigeons in the photograph.

2) It's a raven!

Happy holidays and good birding,
Bruce

Are your feeders full?

Help out our feathered friends: make sure your feeders are full before the coming snow storms!

At this time of year, some of the birds to watch out for are American Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow and Mourning Dove among the many, many others.

Keep your feeders full and eyes peeled and you'll be surprised at how many species come to visit.

American Goldfinch at my feeder in Carp, Ontario

Amercian Tree Sparrow winter here in the south and
migrate back up to the treeline in the spring.
Note the rusty crown and black centre spot on the breast.



Mourning Doves have increased as a winter resident
in Eastern Ontario over the past 30 years.

Good birding,
Bruce

Monday, December 22, 2008

Who am I?

On November 30, 2008 I was on my annual pilgrimage to bird the Niagara River. We came across this bird at Dufferin Park in Niagara Falls. Any guesses on what he might be? Post your thoughts in the comments section.




Good birding,
Bruce

Sunday, December 21, 2008

New Courses, Trips & Tours for Spring 2009 Posted

The 2009 spring schedule of courses, trips and tours has now been posted on my website. I hope you can join me on one of these birding adventures!

Click here to visit the website for information.

Good birding,
Bruce

Ottawa area: Bohemain Waxwings

December 21, 2008

Had another 2 flocks of Bohemian Waxwings (40), (60) this afternoon along March Valley Road near Kanata. Appears they are on the move east.

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: From Ottawa travel west bound on Hwy. 417 to the March Rd./Eagleson Road and exit right onto March Rd. Follow to Klondike Road and turn right. Go to March Valley Road and turn right. The waxwings were feeding in the berry trees along the road.

Bohemian Waxwings & Snowy Owls

December 20, 2008

Late this afternoon while driving back home from the Pembroke CBC we did a little bit of "drive by birding" along Hwy 17/417 to Kanata. It was a great drive with 3 Snowy Owls, 2 near the intersection of Hwy 417 and Kinburn Side road and 1 at Hwy 417 and Galetta Side Road.

Snowy Owls are still on the move south.
This afternoon towards dusk we observed
3 individuals along Hwy 417 near Antrim.


Two flocks of Bohemian Waxwings were observed, 1 just east of Renfrew (40+) and a second flock 25+) near Antrim.

These flocks can range into the hundreds or even thousands
as they devour the berry crops. Look for the characteristic
flocks on the tops of trees as there is a rotation in feeding
.


We searched many of the back roads for Great Gray Owls with no luck but did manage to find 3 Great Horned Owls sitting up and in the open at dusk. Unfortunately, we did not see any of these
species on the Pembroke CBC !

Good birding,
Bruce

Odds & Sods

December 20, 2008

Just arrived home from the Pembroke Christmas Bird Count. Here's a photo of Rock Pigeons seen on the count. Remember that every species has to be counted! Practice your estimating on this photo. How many birds?

Even Rock Pigeons need to be counted on a Christmas Bird Count.
How many birds are in this photo?


Yesterday, December 19th, I birded along the Rideau River at Manotick. There was a large concentation of ducks - mainly Mallards - feeding below the bridge. I checked carefully
through 500+ ducks and only found 100's of Mallards and 1 American Black Duck.

Mallards on the Rideau River at Manotick, Ontario

Another puzzle for you - is it a Crow or a Raven?

Is it a Crow or a raven?
(Look at the bill size and tail shape.)

Good Birding,
Bruce

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Eastern Ontario: Northern Hawk-Owls, Boreal Owl and others

December 18, 2008

Yesterday afternoon and this morning I birded Amherst Island. Yesterday, late afternoon, I observed 12 Short-eared Owls along the road into the Owl Woods on the north side. They were sitting in the trees as I drove to the parking area.

Short-eared Owl on road to "Owl Woods," Amherst Island

In the Owl Woods I observed 1 Boreal Owl, 1 Northern Saw-whet Owl and numerous Long-eared Owls. At dusk I squeaked in a Great Horned Owl. There was 1 Snowy Owl at the east end of the island, KFN property.

Northern Saw-whet Owl in "Owl Woods," Amherst Island

This morning, I arrived at the Owl Woods at dawn and there was lots of activity including a few flocks of Common Redpoll, 2 Pine Siskin, 3 White-winged Crossbill and 1 Red Crossbill. All these birds were flying over the Owl Woods calling.

I spent a few hours covering most of the woods and observed 3 Northern Saw-whet Owls, 20+ Long-eared Owls, with a number very tame, 2 Short-eared Owl flying over the woods and 1 Northern Shrike along the road south of the woods. There were 4 Snowy Owls, 24 Rough-legged Hawk, 7 Red-tailed Hawk and 6 Northern Harrier scattered around the island.

Normally very skittish, this Long-eared
Owl was quite tame. "Owl Woods," Amherst Island


On my return home I observed a Northern Hawk-Owl along Hwy. 7 and Cameron Side Road, about 12 kms west of Perth. This individual, first observed by Steve Mercer, and has been present in the area since December 16th.

Northern Hawk Owl near Perth, Ontario

Also along Hwy. 7 I saw 1 Great Horned Owl sitting in the open and a Northern Shrike, all between Cameron Side Road and Perth.

The Northern Hawk-Owl in Ottawa, along Grandview Road was sitting out this afternoon around 2:30 pm.

Good Birding,
Bruce

Directions: Amherst Island: Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Rd. 4, Camden East) and drive south to the very end (Millhaven). Turn right on Hwy. 33 and drive 100 metres until you see the sign for the Amherst Island ferry. The ferry (20 minute trip) leaves the mainland on the half hour and leaves the island on the hour. Cost is $8.00 Canadian round trip. There are no gas stations on the island. There are restrooms on the ferry, and at the island ferry dock. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island on the east side of the Lower Forty Foot Road. To reach the Owl Woods, turn left (east) at the four-way stop sign by the general store and drive 3.4 km along Front Rd. to the (seasonal) Marshall Forty-Foot Rd. Marshall Forty-Foot Rd. is across the road from house #2320. Drive along Marshall Rd. to the mid-way point, where there is an "S" in the road (1.2 km, look for the K.F.N. kiosk which had owl observing ethics). Park in the gravel lane or off the road edge.

Directions: Northern Hawk-Owl (Perth area): From Ottawa take Hwy 7 west through Perth to Cameron Side Road approximately 12 kms west. Watch for it in the general area.

Directions:
Northern Hawk-Owl (Ottawa): From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Moodie Drive exit #134. Go north to Carling Ave. and turn left. Watch for Grandview Road on your right. Follow to the end and turn left on Hastings St. and park. If you require additional information, please email me privately.


Monday, December 15, 2008

Ottawa: Gyrfalcon, Northern Hawk-Owl and Carolina Wren

December 14, 2008

Today, December 14th at 8:15am I observed a gray/brown Gyrfalcon along the Ottawa River at Britannia, Deschenes Rapids. The bird was observed in flight below the rapids and disappeared to the west.

Later we observed the Northern Hawk-Owl that has been present along Grandview Road for the past few weeks. It is easily viewed from the end of Hasting Street.

Northern Hawk Owl, Ottawa

There was a Carolina Wren at Hampton Park this morning along the edge of the woods and Island Park Estates/ Buell St.

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: Northern Hawk-Owl: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Moodie Drive exit #134. Go north to Carling Ave. and turn left. Watch for Grandview Road on your right. Follow to the end and turn left on Hastings St. and park. If you require additional information, please email me privately.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Casselman-Ste. Rose area: Snowy Owl, Gray Partridge & Lapland Longspur

December 11, 2008

The birding around Ste.Rose and the Casselman area was great this morning. Highlights included 4 Snowy Owl along Con. 20, Con.19 and Ste. Rose Road.


Snowy Owl, Casselman, Ontario


There was also 8 Rough-legged Hawk scattered around and a flock of Snow Buntings with a couple of Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark. Two small coveys of Gray Partridge were noted along Con. 20.

Good Birding,
Bruce

Directions: Take Hwy 417 east of Casselman and exit at #58 and go north. Take the first right turn which is Con. 20 and follow to Ste. Rose Road and turn left. Please remember all the land is private property.

Barrow's Goldeneye, Northern Mockingbird & Yellow-rumped Warbler

December 10, 2008

Today, December 10th, despite the wintery conditions I spent a couple of hours birding around the Ottawa area. There was a female Barrow's Goldeneye present on the Rideau River near the Rideau Tennis Club. It was in a mixed flock of male and female Common Goldeneye. Watch for the distinctive head shape and "pumpkin" orange bill. There was also two female Common Goldeneyes with yellow-orange bills. Great for comparison.

The Northern Mockingbird was still present on Grandview Road sitting in a tree near house # 236, this individual has been there since at least December 4th. The Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler which has been in the ravine behind my home in Carp since November 26th is now coming regularly to my suet feeder. It was present this morning at 11:30 am.


Yellow-rumped Warbler, Carp, Ontario


Yesterday, December 9th there was a Northern Flicker hanging around the Ottawa Duck Club feeders near the corner of March Valley Road and Riddell Road.

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: From Ottawa take 417 east to the Vanier Parkway and exit north. Follow parkway to Donald Street and turn left (west) and continue to River Road. Turn left on River Rd. and then right on Olga St. which is a dead end. Park and walk over to the open area of water along the Rideau River. There are a small number of Common Goldeneye's and lots of Mallards. If you require additional information, please email me privately.

Amherst Island: Boreal Owls

December 7, 2008

A quick update on the Boreal Owls on Amherst Island. We ended the morning with 3 Boreal Owls, plus 5 Northern Saw-whet and 20+ Long-eared Owls, all in the "Owl Woods" both Jack Pine Plantation and Red/White Cedars. Lots of Meadow Vole sign and numerous Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harrier and 1 American Kestrel. Along the south shore Road there was 1 Snowy Owl.

Boreal Owl, Amherst Island


Northern Saw-whet Owl, Amherst Island


Long-earred Owl, Amherst Island


The male Eurasian Wigeon was still present at the DuPont Plant/Elevator Bay at 3:30 pm.

Good Birding,
Bruce

Directions: Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Rd. 4, Camden East) and drive south to the very end (Millhaven). Turn right on Hwy. 33 and drive 100 metres until you see the sign for theAmherst Island ferry. The ferry (20 minute trip) leaves the mainland on the half hour and leaves the island on the hour. Cost is $8.00 Canadian round trip. There are no gas stations on the island. There are restrooms on the ferry, and at the island ferry dock. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island on the east side of the Lower Forty Foot Road. To reach the Owl Woods, turn left (east) at the four-way stop sign by the general store and drive 3.4 km along Front Rd. to the (seasonal) Marshall Forty-Foot Rd. Marshall Forty-Foot Rd. is across the road from house #2320. Drive along Marshall Rd. to the mid-way point, where there is an "S" in the road (1.2 km, look for the K.F.N. kiosk which had owl observing ethics). Park in the gravel lane or off the road edge.

Because of liability issues, visitors to the Kingston Field Naturalists' property at the east end of Amherst Island MUST be accompanied by a KFN member. For KFN contact information or how to become a member, please visit http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/.