Friday, August 26, 2011

August 26, 2011 Red-headed Woodpeckers at Constance Bay.

While checking various areas along the Ottawa River for the Parasitic Jaeger I had seen earlier during the day I made a quick stop at the Old burn site at Constance Bay and found the Red-headed Woodpeckers were still present. The woodpeckers have bred here since 2002 and for the 10th consecutive year were successful. The two juvenile birds were successfully fly catching and the adults were in nearby trees. Since July the young now have some red colour on the heads and their back colour is becoming darker , more like the adults. The woodpeckers usual leave the area by mid September but have overwintered twice.

Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles and (RHWO). Please do not use IPods/CD/tapes to call the bird out. The area is small, but you do require patience.


Directions: Constance Bay: RHWP: From Ottawa travel west bound on Hwy. 417 to the March Rd./Eagleson Road and exit right onto March Rd. Follow to Dunrobin Road and turn right continuing northwest through Woodlawn. At the hill turn right onto Constance Bay Rd following it for approx. 1.5 km. Turn left on Allbirch Road and drive 1.3 km to the " T " intersection. Turn left on Bishop Davis Drive and then right on Bayview Drive. Follow Bayview Drive to Ritchie St. Turn right and go a short distance to Whistler Rd. Turn left and drive .3 km and watch for a gate on the right. The trail through the burn area is opposite the gate. Parking is limited.



One of the juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers in position for fly catching.


The reddish sheen was visible on the head.


A nearby adult Red-headed Woodpecker.

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