November 1-2, 2011 Local Birding

As bird activity along the Ottawa River continues to change weekly and with cooler temperatures to the north our last of the migrant water birds and a few land birds are moving through the region. A few like Common Goldeneye and Snow Bunting will winter here in small numbers. The water levels along the Ottawa River are now very high leaving no shorebird habitat and very few areas of exposed mudflat/sandbar or rocks for gulls to roost on. On November 1st at 1:45pm the RAZORBILL was still present off Deschenes Lookout along with 2 Red-throated Loon, 5 red-necked Grebe, 4 Horned Grebe and 1 Double-crested Cormorant.
At Shirley's Bay on November 2nd there was a good concentration of ducks off the boat launch including all 3 scoters, 150+ Lesser Scaup, 100+ Common Goldeneye, 14 Bufflehead, and 12 Red-breasted Merganser. Also present were 8 Red-necked Grebe, 6 Horned Grebe, 3 Common Loon, and 2 Double-crested Cormorant. On the west side of the causeway at Shirley's Bay 76 Gadwall and 68 Northern Shoveler and 2 Bald Eagles were noted. Snow Bunting are starting to show up in the area with small flocks at the Shirley's Bay boat launch, Britannia Pier, and Britannia Point.

A male Hooded Merganser snacks on a small fish.

Great Blue Herons will linger in November and even December if there is open water for feeding.

A lone Brant feeds at Andrew Haydon Park.

The Bald Eagle nest at Shirley's Bay is now visible since the leaves have fallen. This nest was built last spring but appeared not to be used. Maybe next spring.

The Snow Bunting is a sign that winter is not to far.