October 30, 2011 Algonquin Park Birding

Hi Ontbirders

The birding today was very good with a number of the Algonquin Park specialties being found at various locations. Gray Jay were numerous with 3 along Opeongo Lake Road, 2 at Spruce Bog Trail, 4 along Mizzy Lake Trail/Old Railway bed and 2 near Mew Lake Road. Boreal Chickadee was found a Wolf Howl Pond and Spruce Bog Trail. We found a total 6 Spruce Grouse along Arowhon Road/Old Railway bed including a group of 5 feeding together. A female Black-backed Woodpecker was found at Wolf Howl Pond along with 2 Fox Sparrow. The biggest surprise was a Red-headed Woodpecker that flew over Wolf Howl Pond. Unfortunately we couldn't relocate it. At Lake of Two Rivers we observed 2 Horned Grebe, 11 Ring-necked Duck and 10 Hooded Merganser. Finches were scarce with 2 Purple Finch, 4 American Goldfinch and a flock of 40+ Pine Siskin. On our drive back to Ottawa a flock of 400+ Brant were observed flying over near Arnprior.

Good Birding, Bruce


Directions: Courtesy Ron Tozer

Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates.

The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders, and information. The centre will be open on weekends only after this weekend
(October 29-30) from 9 am to 5 pm. Birders visiting during the week may be able to enter via the service entrance (right end of building) to view the feeders, after checking in with staff first.

Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca

Fall colours along Hwy. 60

Gray Jay preening.

Gray Jay

Red-breasted Nuthatches were easy to locate in the park.

Spruce Grouse

Part of a group of 5 Spruce Grouse

Spruce Grouse.

Male Spruce Grouse.

Male spruce Grouse

A Red Fox greeted us at the east gate.

Early morning in Algonquin Park.

Old Railway bed.

First snow fall in Algonquin Park.

Anyone who knows Ben, shoes aren't required for birding!

October 26-28, 2011 Western Grebe,Razorbill and Parasitic Jaeger

Its was a crazy week birding along the Ottawa River between Deschenes Rapids and the Champlain Bridge. The Razorbill was playing hide and seek along with a Western Grebe which was seen 3 times over 5 days. And finally, a juvenile jaeger on October 27th that challenged many of us local birders to what species it was, all in all, another great week!

A juvenile jaeger observed off Bate island/Champlain Bridge was finally identified as a Parasitic after much debate.

After disappearing for a day or so the Razsorbill was back off Deschenes Lookout along the Ottawa River Parkway yesterday afternoon and was present til dusk. It appeared in good condition, preening, diving and flapping its wings.

October 25, 2011 Amherst Island birding

Spent the morning birding Amherst Island. A great start with 2 juvenile Northern Gannets from the ferry dock at Millhaven. The birds flew west and disappeared, typical of gannets. Put of a small flight of gannets into eastern Ontario. On the island our first stop was the "Owl Woods" where we observed a number of Long-eared Owls roosting in the Jack Pine plantation. Also a good variety of land birds including 12 Hermit Thrush, 20 Fox sparrow, 550+ Rusty Blackbird, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1 Eastern Towhee and 3 Winter Wren. Very few hawks were observed while driving around the island and the east end KFN property had only a couple of shorebirds but lots of ducks including Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon and Bufflehead.

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 $9.00 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.

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/ ."

The "Owl Woods " will be closed from November 19-December 11, 2011.

The Long-eared Owl is a regular fall migrant on Amherst island.

Long-eared Owl is a nocturnal and spends its day roosting in the Jack Pine and White or Red Cedar.

If you do spot a Long-eared Owl roosting, stop, back off and look closely and you may see a number of them. They are very gregarious and the roost site can have 5-15 owls!

A Long-eared Owl ready for flight.

October 23, 2011 Razorbill continues at Deschenes Rapids

Spent the day birding various sewage lagoons, the Ottawa River and Lake Dore. Lots of activity and hightlights included Razorbill, Red Phalarope, lots of grebes, Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes and still shorebirds at both Alfred and Casselman Sewage Lagoons.
At dawn at Alfred Sewage Lagoon there were 350+ Snow Geese resting on the west cell, while the east cell was still under construction and had ample habitat with over 150 shorebirds including 75 White-rumped sandpiper, 50 Dunlin, 48 black-bellied Plover, 3 American Golden-Plover, and a late Ruddy Turnstone and Semipalmated Sandpiper. A brief stop at Casselman Sewage Lagoon produced a very cooperative Red Phalarope feeding along the waters edge of the west cell. At St. Albert Sewage Lagoons very few water birds but did have 30+ Lapland Longspur, 4 Snow Bunting, 20+ horned Lark and 30+ American Pipit.
Along Milton Road just east of Carlsbad Springs 46 Sandhill Cranes were observed in flight on the west side of the road near Perrault Road. The next stop was along the Ottawa River starting at Remic Rapids Lookout. A total of 4 horned Grebe, 1 Red-necked Grebe and 6 Brant were observed. At Deschenes Lookout the RAZORBILL was showing well and many birders were viewing it from Britannia Point, Deschenes Rapids and Deschenes Lookout. At one time it actually appeared to be on the Ontario side of the river! It was also interesting to see numbers of Horned Grebes below the rapids, 36 horned Grebe, along with 1 Red-throated loon and 200+ Ring-necked Duck.
Various stops between Dick Bell Park and Shirley's Bay produced 72 Horned Grebe, 43 Red-necked Grebe, 3 Common Loon, 21 White-winged Scoter, 4 Surf Scoter, and 17 Black Scoter. At the next stop Lake Dore, the viewing conditions continued to be excellent and 36 Common Loon, 48 Horned grebe, 22 Red-necked Grebe and 16 Bonaparte's Gull were counted . A great day birding!

Red Phalarope is a irregular rare fall visitor to eastern Ontario.

Since 1995 Sandhill Cranes have been regular along Milton Road where they stage for 4-6 weeks and numbers have reached 100+.

The Razorbill was still present and a lifer for many of the local birders.

A late lingering Brown Thrasher was a surprise at Lake Dore.

October 22, 2011 Razorbill at Deschenes Rapids!

The Razorbill found by Mark Gawn was still present at dusk tonight. It had drifted a little east of Deschenes Lookout (west end lookout of the Ottawa River Parkway) and was out in the middle of the river where the gulls were resting/roosting. It appeared to be in good condition and was observed diving numerous times earlier during the afternoon. At dusk it appeared to be settling in for the night. This represents the first record for the Ottawa-Gatineau district and one of the few records for eastern Ontario. There is a specimen record from October 14,1950 in Big Rideau Lake,Lanark County, a photographic record of a specimen from Wolfe Island on November 29, 1984, and sight record from Lake Dore from December 1-5,1989, and another sight record from the St. Lawrence River at Cornwall on November 27, 1987. I would watch out for anything along the Ottawa River since this bird is likely from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. So anything is possible!

Immature Razorbill: First record for the Ottawa-Gatineau district.

October 21, 2011 Fall migration continues along the Ottawa River.

Hi Everyone
This morning, October 21st, at Shirley's Bay, Ben and I had a good number of puddle ducks close to the base of the causeway including 600+ Green-winged Teal, 150+ American Wigeon, 50+ Northern Shoveler, and 46 Gadwall. No shorebirds. The pair of Bald Eagles were roosting on their nest that was built back in the spring. Hopefully they will be successful nesting next spring.
I then spent a couple of hours in the afternoon, birding along the Ottawa River. Quite a change from yesterday except for the weather. Had a few flocks of Brant, 50+ and 35+. The scoter movement/fallout of yesterday had moved on and I had only a flock of 23 White-winged Scoter and 3 single Surf Scoter. Even Red-breasted Mergansers were hard to find, only one flock of 15. Had a group of 8, 1st winter Bonaparte's Gull drop out of the sky and continue south overland. Land birds were few but more Fox Sparrows and American Tree Sparrow on the move along with Purple Finch. Water levels along the Ottawa River are on the rise after a record low fall.

On October 20th, spent a couple hours birding the Ottawa River between downpours this afternoon. There was a definite increase in the number of scoters between Shirley's Bay and Andrew Haydon Park. There were 170+ male Black Scoter, 140+ White-winged Scoter (mostly male) and 22 male Surf Scoter. Also had 200+ Red-breasted Merganser and 9 male Long-tailed Duck
Good Birding, Bruce and Ben


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.

October 14, 2011 Constance Bay Birding

Hi Everyone

Spent a couple of hours earlier this morning birding the shoreline at Constance Bay. There were still 2 Nelson's Sparrows on the west side of Constance Creek and it took some time to find them. The Long-billed Dowitcher flock is now up to 6 birds and there is still one Hudsonian Godwit with them . Other shorebirds present included 9 Black-bellied Plover, 18 White-rumped Sandpiper, 3 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, 4 Greater Yellowlegs and 1 Wilson's Snipe. Also, more Pine Siskin's on the move with a flock of 40+ over the Torbolton Forest along Whistler Road.
Good Birding, Bruce

Directions courtesy of Jeff Skevington:

Park at the fire access road at the corner of Sand Bay Street and Baillie. Do not block the fire road. The Hudsonian Godwit and Long-billed Dowitchers are still at this location. Then walk east down the beach along the Ottawa River for about 400 m until you get to the grassy area just past the last house. This is where you should look for the Nelson's Sparrows.
The best access point to start at is the fire access at the intersection of Sand Bay Street and Baillie Avenue. To get there, follow Constance Bay Drive in from Dunrobin Road. Turn right on Baillie just past the liquor store. Sand Bay is about 400 m east.

A flock of 6 Long-billed Dowitchers with 1 Hudsonian Godwit flyby.

It has been a good fall for both Long-billed Dowitcher and Hudsonian Godwit along the Ottawa River. All likely due to the record low water levels creating extensive mudflats.

The largest single flock of Long-billed Dowitchers I've ever encountered in Ottawa was a group of 7 at Shirley's Bay.

October 10-12, 2011 Nelson's Sparrows at Constance Bay

The Nelson's Sparrows continue to be found along the west side of the mouth of Constance Creek. On October 10th I observed at least 6 sparrows and on October 12th there were still 7 Nelson's. It was interesting to watch these skulkers as they fed on seeds of one of the plants. At one time I could see 3 together and 2 move nearby. This has been a real treat to have this sparrow around for a number of days and a high concentration. We'll have to wait till next year to see if this was just luck or do the Nelson's Sparrow regularly use this area during fall migration.

Directions courtesy of Jeff Skevington:

Park at the fire access road at the corner of Sand Bay Street and Baillie. Do not block the fire road. Then walk east down the beach along the Ottawa River for about 400 m until you get to the grassy area just past the last house. This is where you should look for the Nelson's Sparrows.
The best access point to start at is the fire access at the intersection of Sand Bay Street and Baillie Avenue. To get there, follow Constance Bay Drive in from Dunrobin Road. Turn right on Baillie just past the liquor store. Sand Bay is about 400 m east.

Historically, the Nelson's Sparrow was a very rare fall migrant but this status appears to have change.

The Nelson's Sparrow is easy to overlook and despite up to a dozen birds present it was sometimes difficult to locate.


Two Nelson's Sparrow sit quietly.

Sometimes they respond well to phishing and will sit up briefly before vanishing in the vegetation.

A view of the mouth of Constance Creek.

There is lots of this habitat along both sides of the Ottawa River.

How many years have they been passing through this area? Will find out next fall.

October 8, 2011 Nelson's Sparrows at Constance Bay

The birding keeps getting better as the day goes on! Jeff Skevington and his dad, Richard, found 9 Nelson's Sparrows this morning at the mouth of Constance Creek at Constance Bay. This is an area I had mentioned to Jeff earlier during the week that I thought could be good for Nelson's Sparrow. He proved it correct. Ben and I headed up after Jeff's phone call and along with Jeff and his dad we observed at least 6 sparrows, great views! Shortly after both Bob Cermak and Nick von Maltzahn arrived and Ben got them on the sparrows. Along the shoreline we were able to see both the Hudsonian Godwit and 4 Long-billed Dowitcher along with 22 White-rumped sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 3 Lesser Yellowlegs, and 3 Black-bellied Plover. An amazing afternoon for birding with sunny skies and +25c, not bad for a Thanksgiving Weekend! Both the sparrow and dowitcher were new for my Constance Bay list.

Good Birding, Bruce

Important Direction Information from Jeff Skevington

Directions: We have reassessed the possible impact on local landowners and suggest that you park at the fire access road at the corner of Sand Bay Street and Baillie. Do not block the fire road. The Hudsonian Godwit and Long-billed Dowitchers are still at this location. Then walk east down the beach along the Ottawa River for about 400 m until you get to the grassy area just past the last house. This is where you should look for the Nelson's Sparrows. This is an easier and drier walk than the previous directions that I gave and will be less invasive for the locals.

The best access point to start at is the fire access at the intersection of
Sand Bay Street and Baillie Avenue. To get there, follow Constance Bay Drive
in from Dunrobin Road. Turn right on Baillie just past the liquor store.
Sand Bay is about 400 m east.
The coordinates of the site are: 45.477453 N, 76.066583 W (using Google
Earth).

The Nelson's Sparrow formerly Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow was regarded as a very rare fall migrant and difficult to find. Well, I think the status has definitely changed in our area!

This is the largest number ever recorded in the Ottawa district. Based on today we may ended up finding this species a lot easier to locate.

It has also been a good fall for Long-billed Dowitcher and Hudsonian Godwit along the Ottawa River. I'm certain that both species regularly fly over eastern Ontario but with the record? low water levels there is lots of good feeding.

The White-rumped Sandpiper is another regular fall migrant and numbers vary each fall. This is becoming one of the best falls in recent years due to both inclement weather and low water levels.

The Hudsonian Godwit is a long distant migrant traveling to South America for the winter.

Long-billed Dowitchers resting.

A Lesser Yellowlegs coming in for a landing.


The Dunlin is a regular fall migrant throughout eastern Ontario. This individual appears to be bathing but as it flew off it may have been weak or sick.

October 8, 2011 Great morning birding at Shirley's Bay

If you haven't had an opportunity to bird at Shirley's Bay this fall don't wait any longer! The birding is excellent with lots of waders including Hudsonian Godwit, White-rumped Sandpiper and Black-bellied Plover to name a few. The waterfowl numbers continue to increase with 16 species including 9 Gadwall, 16 Northern Shoveler, 80+Wood Duck, many in breeding plumage, 9 Northern Pintail, 64 American Black Duck, and even 5 White-winged Scoter on the west side of the causeway. The Great Egrets are still present with 5 feeding in the back bay area. With all the bird activity brings raptors and this morning we observed 2 juvenile Peregrine Falcon, 2 adult Bald Eagle, and 3 Northern Harrier. Lots of sparrows along the causeway, mainly Song, Swamp, White-crowned, and White-throated Sparrow.

Hudsonian Godwits coming in for a landing.

Two Great Egrets head south from Shirley's Bay.

October 7, 2011 Another flock of Hudsonian Godwits!

While birding at Britannia around noon I observed a flock of Hudsonian Godwits fly in and land on the upper part of the Deschenes Rapids. With the continuing low water levels along the Ottawa River there is lots of shoreline habitat for waders. i counted 17 juvenile Hudsonian godwits and they remained out on the rocks/ shallow water feeding. Not the typical location!

Hudsonian Godwits at Deschenes Rapids.

Normally, most records of flocks of Hudsonian Godwits are encountered during inclement weather conditions, not sunny and clear and +22c!

October 6, 2011 Roost count of Great Egrets

The egret count continues to drop and tonight there were 7 Great Egrets roosting on the mudflats at Shirley's Bay. The high count earlier this fall was 30+ birds but time is running out. The cooler temperatures will certainly push them on there way south. No godwits tonight but still a good number of White-rumped Sandpipers.

Down to 7 Great Egrets roosting at Shirley's Bay.

October 6, 2011 More migrants along the Ottawa River.

Hi Everyone
At least 14 Hudsonian Godwits remain feeding at Shirley's Bay today along with 70+ White-rumped Sandpiper and 11 Black-bellied Plover. The overnight low temperature, 0c, and clear, in the Ottawa area pushed a number of migrants south including 8 Brant, 1 Surf Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck and 4 White-winged Scoter all off Dick Bell Park. There were a number of American Tree Sparrows along the Ottawa River and at the Shirley's Bay parking lot I observed 11 Pine Siskin, 2 Purple Finch, and a small flock of White-winged Crossbill flew over calling.

Good birding, Bruce

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.

Both Hudsonian Godwit and black-bellied plover show black under wings.

Its been a great week for White-rumped Sandpipers along the Ottawa River.