April 3,2015 Ottawa: Red-throated Loon and more spring migrants.

Hi Everyone

Today, April 3, I spent a number of hours  birding along the Ottawa River in Ottawa visiting a number of open water areas including Nepean Bay, Lemieux Island, Remic Rapids and Deschenes Rapids. Overall, there was a significant  increase in water birds with the highlight an adult winter Red-throated Loon at Deschenes Rapids. The bird spent most of its time at the top end of the rapids and was very wary, always looking around and up in the sky. My previous early record was an adult winter plumage at the Champlain Bridge/Remic Rapids back on April 5, 1974. That year ice conditions were similar to this spring after a long cold winter. There were 6 species of gulls present along the river including one adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Glaucous Gull,  and 2 Iceland Gull. At least one of the male Barrow’s Goldeneye was present at Deschenes Rapids. Other recent arrivals including Great Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Red-necked Grebe, and Pied-billed Grebe. Another early record was an adult Black-crowned Night-Heron at Deschenes Rapids. My previous early record on April 4, 1973 at Clyde Ave Woods in Ottawa. New land bird migrants included Tree Swallow, Eastern Phoebe and Northern Flicker at the Britannia Conservation Area/Mud Lake. Cooler weather is on its way.

Good birding,

Bruce




Directions: All these locations are located along the Ottawa River between Deschenes Rapids east to Nepean Bay and can be accessed from the Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway and  Carling Ave and Britannia Road to Cassels St.

If you require additional information, please email me privately.




Bruce Di Labio
P.O. Box 538
Carp,Ontario
K0A 1L0
613-715-2571

April 2, 2015 Ottawa: Spring migration underway

Hi Ontbirders

Today , April 2, there was an impressive movement of Canada Geese over Ottawa just west of Deschenes Rapids.  Between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. I counted over 15,000 Canada Geese as they flew along the Ottawa River/ Lake Deschenes in flocks ranging from 20-400 from the northwest and continuing southeast. It was like a reverse migration. It appears these birds over shot and found only snow covered fields and frozen water north of the Ottawa region. As flock after flock headed southeast I observed 3 adult Greater White-fronted Geese, 4 Cackling Geese and 1 Snow Goose. I also observed 2 Sandhill Crane, 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Bald Eagle, 40+ Bohemian Waxwing and 1 Pine Grosbeak. At the top end of the Deschenes Rapids there were a number of ducks feeding in the rapids including 3 (2 male/1 female) Barrow’s Goldeneye, and 1 male Common X Barrow’s Goldeneye. Due to the prolonged cold winter the Ottawa River is still frozen except for fast flowing water at the rapids. It still looks like mid winter along the river. With milder weather on its way the ice will begin to open quickly.


Directions: I you require additional information please email me privately.


Good birding,

Bruce