Great weather for birding along the Ottawa River this morning between Deschenes Rapids and Constance Bay. Off Dick Bell Park at 7:00 a.m. I observed a pair of Black Scoters. This species is a very rare spring migrant and one of the few I've observed in the past 40 years. Good numbers of water birds at Shirley's Bay with 22 Common loon, 3 Red-necked Grebe, 300+ Bufflehead along with Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Common Goldeneye, and all 3 merganser. At Constance Bay there was a very vocal male Red-bellied Woodpecker at the corner of Whistler Road and Bayview Drive. Likely the same individual that over wintered nearby. Still lots of Common Redpolls in the area.
Good Birding, Bruce
Directions: Britannia Pier and Dick Bell Park: Both areas are accessible from Carling Ave. west of Carling and Richmond Rd. intersection.
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.
Male Red-winged blackbird back on territory.
The Northern Flicker is now back in numbers.
A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was very vocal today at Constance Bay. Likely the same individual that overwintered.
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