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.