Ottawa Area: Great Gray Owls

At dusk today, 3 Great Gray Owls were observed along March Valley Road and 3 along Greenland Road NW of Thomas Dolan Parkway.

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: GGOwls: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to March Road exit. Follow March Road to Dunrobin Road and turn right. Follow Dunrobin Road to Dunrobin and turn right on Thomas Dolan Parkway. Follow to Greenland Road area. If you require additional information, please email me privately. Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles.

Amherst Island Birding

Birded Amherst Island today. Despite the -20 C temperature this morning, birding was good. Due to snow conditions,we parked along the South Shore Road and walked in to the "Owl Woods." We observed 5 Northern Saw-whet Owls and 6 Long-eared Owls. On our walk out we observed one Northern Shrike. We drove around the island roads and counted 47 Rough-legged Hawk, 16 Red-tailed Hawk, 3 American Kestrel, 11 Snowy Owl and 2 Short-eared Owl. There were 140+ Snow Bunting along the South Shore Road. Overall a good outing.

At the DuPont Plant/Elevator Bay pond we observed 6 Ring-necked Duck, 6 Hooded Merganser, 16 American Coot and 3 Gadwall among the 1000+ Mallards and 200+ American Black Duck.

Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles.

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/.

Ottawa Area: Great Gray Owls

Late yesterday and this afternoon I had a total of 6 Great Gray Owls east of Dunrobin. There was a concentration of 3 owls along Greenland Road NW of Thomas Dolan Parkway, 2 along Vance's Side road and one along March Valley Road.

Despite its size, the Great Gray Owl blends in well and is easy to overlook.

The Great Gray Owl has excellent hearing and can detect mice under the snow.

On a sad note, this afternoon I discovered the Boreal Owl dead along March Valley Road. It was laying on the ground in the general area it was observed earlier during the week. The owl was emaciated.

The Boreal Owl that delighted many earlier this week was found
dead along March Valley road this afternoon. Even though it was
observed catching a mouse on January 26th it was in an emaciated condition.

There were a number of flocks of Bohemian Waxwings in the area and still lots of White-winged Crossbills, Pine Siskin's and Common Redpoll.

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: GGOwls: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to March Road exit. Follow March Road to Dunrobin Road and turn right. Follow Dunrobin Road to Dunrobin and turn right on Thomas Dolan Parkway. Follow to Greenland Road area. If you require additional information, please email me privately. Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles

Ottawa Area: Red-shouldered Hawk

The wintering Red-shouldered Hawk was still present along Old Carp Road and Gourlay Lane early this afternoon. Also observed a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings (250+) off Grandview road and Carling Ave.

Red-shouldered Hawk

A squirrel's dilemma! This black-morph Gray Squirrel
tried everything it could to open the top!

It's amazing how many porcupines you see when you're
searching for owls! This porcupine was having bark for lunch!

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to March Road exit. Turn right and follow March Road past Dunrobin Road and watch for Old Carp Road. Turn left and follow to Huntmar Road or Gourlay Road.

Quiz 7 - Who am I?

Here we go! Two photos in Quiz #7 to test your birding mojo:

Photo #1

Photo #2

I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments section. Goodluck!

Good birding,
Bruce

Answers: Quiz 6 - Who Am I?

Here are the answers for Quiz 6:

Bird #1: Who am I?

Male Purple Finch

Note finch bill, stockier build than House Finch, reminds me of the House Sparrow in shape. The tail is shorter with a deeply notched tail. The male has a reddish head with more pinkish-red breast. Note lack of streaking on under parts. House Finch has obvious streaks.

Bird #2: Who am I?

American Kestrel

This flight photo is a little more difficult but you can see the wing shape and tail length, overall view of a small bird of prey with narrow pointed wings and a rufous color tail with a distinctive black tail band. Also, black markings on back and bluish-gray wings make it a male American Kestrel.

Good birding
Bruce

More Pictures from Florida

Here are a few more photos from my trip to Florida...

Snowy Egret

Many species of egrets and herons were hunted to near extinction in the late 1800's and early 1900's for their plumages. These feathers or plumes were used for ladies hats in Europe and North America. Fortunately, during the early 1900's one of the first projects of the Audubon Society was to bring protection to these plumed birds.

Willet

This large plain shorebird is sometimes hard to identify but in flight is very distinctive.

Willet in flight

Hard to mistake!

Whimbrel

Note it's distinctive, downwardly curved bill.

Wilson's Plover

The Wilson's Plover was easy to locate along the gulf at Honey Moon Island State Park.

Osprey

The Osprey, also known as a Fish Hawk, was plentiful along the Gulf Coast.

Ruddy Turnstone bathing

Ruddy Turnstone feeding

With the abundance of clams there was lots of activity around the beached clams.

Black-crowned Night Heron

Brown Pelicans

People complain about having Rock Pigeons on the roof...you should feel sorry for these people!!

Royal Tern begging

Royal Tern

Who's having a bad hair day?

Good birding,
Bruce

Back from the Sunny South

Left the cold north for a long weekend in Florida to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday and do some birding and photography! On my arrival the first night the low was -4C !!! Not what I expected in the south. Fortunately the conditions improved during my short visit and I was treated to highs of +24C. During my stay from January 22-26 I spent time birding and photographing birds along the Gulf Coast of Florida near Indian Shores. Winter birding in Florida is wonderful both for watching and photography. There are many species including terns, egrets, herons, sandpipers, and other coastal species to view. Most of my time was along the gulf and Honey Moon Island north of Clearwater. I had lots of opportunity to study and photograph numerous species as they fed and resting along the shoreline. For the serious photographer and birder is a haven!

A young Royal Tern begging for food

Good birding,
Bruce

Ottawa area: Boreal, Great Gray and Northern Hawk-Owl

Lots of owl activity this morning west of Ottawa. There was a Great Gray Owl near the corner of Vance's Side Road and 6th Line Road. The owl was sitting in a tree beside a house. The Northern Hawk-Owl was still present off Grandview Road at 11:45 am, feeding on a kill. The Boreal Owl was also still present along March Valley Road at 12:15 pm. It still had a small rodent in its talons that it had caught earlier.

Boreal Owl with mouse. Normally nocturnal hunter,
this Boreal caught the mouse mid morning.

Northern Hawk-Owl having lunch

There was a small flock of Bohemian Waxwings feeding along Hilda Road and lots of Pine Siskin, a few Common Redpoll and a flock of White-winged Crossbills were also present.

Bohemian Waxwing feeding on berries

Female White-winged Crossbill feeding on a spruce cone.
White-winged Crossbills continue to move into Eastern
Ontario. With their specialized bill they can feed on cones,
removing the seeds.

Normally a tree dweller, this female Pileated Woodpecker
finally decided to stand on the snow and continue picking for food.

Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: Boreal Owl: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to March Road exit. Follow March Road past Carling Ave. and continue to Klondike Road and turn right. Follow to March Valley Road and turn left. Drive down to area where there is a guard rail and watch for the owl roosting on the right in the open.

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.

Quiz 6: Who am I?

Apologies for the delay in posting Quiz 6. Travel and computer problems caused this unexpected little delay! Thanks for your patience. Here is another quiz to test your birding skills:

Bird #1: Who am I?

Bird #2: Who am I?

Zoom in on Bird #2

Post your thoughts in the comments section. Goodluck!

Good birding,
Bruce

Answers: Quiz 5 - Who Am I?

Here are the answers for Quiz 5 - apologies for the delay! We'll be back to our regular Thursday schedule next week.

Photo #1: Who am I?

Dark morph Rough-legged Hawk While sitting in a tree this bird can be identified
by its overall dark coloration, shape and size.

Photo #2: Who am I?

Light morph Rough-legged Hawk

In flight, this bird can be identified by its white wing
linings, black wrist marks, black belly and white tail band.

Zoom in on the bird in Photo #2

Good birding,
Bruce

Final Dunrobin-Breckenridge CBC Results Posted

The final results for the Dunrobin-Breckenridge CBC have been posted on my website.

Thanks to all who participated to make this another great year.

See you on Saturday, January 2, 2010.

Good birding,
Bruce

Backyard List Continues to Climb

Our backyard year list continues to climb with a number of new species:

House Finch (Jan 14)
House Sparrow (Jan 14)
White-winged Crossbill (Jan 17)
Pine Grosbeak (Jan 18)

I'm maintaining my backyard year list alongside my backyard all-time list on my website.

Good birding,
Bruce

Eastern Ontario: Great Gray Owls, Snowy Owls, Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak

January 21, 2009

Great Gray Owls are still being found at various locations in Eastern Ontario. Unfortunately, none have been staying around for too long. Yesterday, two were observed: one along Hwy. 60 between Madawaska and Barry's Bay at 5:15 pm, sitting on a hydro wire, while the other was observed along a ski trail east of Ottawa. Today there was one present along Thomas Dolan Parkway east of Dunrobin.

Here are some photos:






There were 3 Snowy Owls in the Kinburn area, one along Kinburn Side Road and two along Galetta Side road near Hwy. 417. Yesterday, my wife observed one in south Kanata along Fernbank Road, between Eagleson and Terry Fox Drive, one was sighted along Rideau Road near Ramsayville Road, and another behind the Ottawa Airport.

This Snowy owl was perched on a telephone pole for
almost a hour near Antrim. Even the snowplow didn't disturb it.

The finch numbers continue to increase, today I observed 200+ Pine Grosbeaks in the Kinburn-Carp-Dunrobin area, and over 400+ Pine Siskin. Also there was a flock of 40+ Bohemian Waxwing along Rifle Road off Carling Ave.

Finch numbers continue to increase in Eastern Ontario.
Numerous flocks of Pine Grosbeaks were observed
around Dunrobin, Carp and near Antrim where there
was a flock of 150+.

A flock of 12 American Robin was a surprise near Dunrobin.
They were feeding on frozen wild grapes.

If you require additional information, please email me privately.

Good birding,
Bruce

Ottawa area: Northern Hawk-Owl

January 19, 2009

Late this afternoon the Northern Hawk-Owl was still present hunting along Grandview Road off Carling Ave. There were also a number of small flocks of Pine Siskin and a few Common Redpoll. In the village of Carp there was a flock of 12 Pine Grosbeak and 40+ Bohemian Waxwing near 400 Donald B. Munro Drive.

Good birding,
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.

Lennox Generating Station

As you cross on the Amherst Island ferry look to the west and you will see two tall chimneys. Between 1972 and 1982 over 22,000 birds were killed by flying into the floodlights illuminating the stacks. Specimens were collected by Hydro staff and shipped to the National Museum of Canada in Ottawa to be used as study skins. Finally, in 1983 the floodlights were replaced by strobe lights and the mortality rate dropped to only a few birds per season.

Here is a photo of the generating station:


Good birding,
Bruce

Song Sparrow at the Feeder

Despite the extremely cold temperatures the past two nights - it was -30C last night - this song sparrow was full of life this morning at -23C!


Good birding,
Bruce

Ottawa area: Gray Partridge, Bohemian Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills

I spent a few hours birding around Kanata/Carp area today.

There were 4 Gray Partridge along Maple Grove Road near the Sensplex Centre. Check around the bottom any of the pine or spruce trees along Maple Grove Road starting at Terry Fox Drive.

There was a flock of 75+ Bohemian Waxwings near the corner of Old Carp Road and Huntmar Drive.

Small flocks of White-winged Crossbills continue to feed in the village of Carp along with Pine Siskins, Common Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks. Drive around the area east of Carp Road.

It appears that Great Gray Owls are still moving through the region. There has been at least 3 sightings of the Great Gray Owl during the past week, west of March Road/Dunrobin Road but none were relocated today. One was found along Torbolton Ridge Road, one on Old Carp Road near Huntmar Drive and another off March Road near Peter Robinson Road. All were during the late afternoon.

At dusk today I observed 50+ Wild Turkeys roosting in a few deciduous trees along Huntmar Drive near Bradleyside Road.

How many turkeys can you count?

If you require additional information, please email me privately.

Good birding,
Bruce

Have you checked your cedars?

Always remember to check the trees in your backyard, especially if you have cedar or spruce trees. The feed that falls on the ground from your feeders will attract small rodents, which will in turn, attract owls. This Northern Saw-whet Owl was roosting in a cedar tree above the bird feeders in Stittsville today.


Good birding,
Bruce

Quiz 5: Who Am I?

The hope is that we will be able to post a new quiz and the answers to the previous quiz once a week. Look for the new quiz (and the answers to last week's quiz) most Thursdays.

Here's another one to test your birding skills.

Photo #1: Who am I?

Photo #2: Who am I?

Zoom in on the bird in Photo #2

Post your answers in the comments! Goodluck!

Good birding,
Bruce