Saturday, August 28, 2010

August 28, 2010 Early morning birding at Shirley's Bay

Arrived at Shirley's Bay at 6:10 a.m. There was lots of bird activity along the dyke including Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Nashville Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Phoebe, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and numerous Black-capped Chickadees. The mudflats had few shorebirds and there were 100+ Green-winged Teal and 250+ Canada Geese feeding along with 14 Great Egrets that appear to have been roosting in the back area of Shirley's Bay. Two immature Bald Eagles flushed up everything and by 6:45a.m. the mudflats were quiet. Overhead there was no shortage of Bobolinks calling as they migrated south. Looks like another great day for birding!

Directions: Shirley's Bay: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to the Moodie Drive exit and turn north (right) on Moodie Drive and continue to Carling Ave. Turn left at Carling Ave. and follow Carling to Rifle Road. Turn right (north) on Rifle Rd. Park at the lot at the end (boat launch).
Walk back to the road, and continue through the gate on the Department of National Defense property. There is a trail on your right (clearly marked with vehicle "No Entry" signs) which heads into the woods, and, eventually to the dyke. There is lots of POISON IVY along the dyke.

**** PLEASE NOTE**** YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE RANGE CONTROL
OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING THE DYKE AREA-- Call (613) 991-5740 and request
permission to visit the dyke area for birding.




Remember to fill your feeders, lots of bird activity these days.


A juvenile Merlin looking for breakfast.

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