Changing Seasons September 10-14, 2009

Over the past week, south bound migration has been slow but steady in Eastern Ontario. No great days but scattered flocks of warblers and other migrants have been found in various locations. My Sunday, September 13th ``Local Hot Spots`` trip was interesting due to a combination of high water levels and the stretch of beautiful sunny days.The water level along the Ottawa River continues to slowly drop and is attracting some shorebird action. Our group birded the Shirley's Bay area and finally had a few shorebirds that actually found some exposed mud at the dyke. At the dyke we observed 4 Greater Yellowlegs, 6 Spotted Sandpiper and 2 Solitary Sandpiper. A big surprise was observing 3 species of raptors in one tree! 2 Merlin, 1 American Kestrel and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk. An amazing sight. As we moved along to the Dunrobin area, we saw a flock of 12 Eastern Bluebirds along 5th Line road as well as 25 Chipping sparrow, 2 Palm Warbler, 1 Pine Warbler and 5 Eastern Meadowlark. The most unusual find was an Eastern Bluebird with white "eye patches". (see photo)

Numbers and variety of waterfowl are beginning to change with a few northern species starting to appear. On Saturday, September 12th, in the Moodie Drive pond area, I observed 50+ Ring-necked Duck, 11 Lesser Scaup, 1 Common Goldeneye and 7 Ruddy Ducks. On September 10th, Ben and I observed 2 Snow Geese along Richardson Side Road near Kanata.
Over the weekend, Great Egrets were still being observed at Shirley's Bay and along the Carp River at Richardson's Side Road and Virginia Rails were seen along Moodie Drive.
This is the time to begin filling the feeders. Yesterday, our 5 niger feeders had over 50 American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches and Downy Woodpeckers.

Juvenile plumaged Lesser Yellowlegs.


Spotted Sandpiper without spots. Note the white shoulder spur.


The Killdeer is easy to recognize by its 2 black breast bands.

"Puddle ducks" are starting to show up along the river as water levels begin to drop.

An odd looking Eastern Bluebird with white eye patches.

American Goldfinch numbers are on the rise.

The Virginia Rail is an uncommon sight in wetlands.


These secertive birds are usually very shy.

More Migrants on the way south. September 8, 2009

The birding continues to change day to day with new southbound migrants arriving. Yesterday, September 8th, on my birding course outing we started at Shirley's Bay. With the water levels continuing to drop there was more activity at the base of the dyke. At least 5 Solitary Sandpiper were feeding at the mouth of Watt's Creek, along with 2 Great Egret, 14 Great Blue Heron, and both Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal. A Dunlin flew over calling and there were a few land birds including a Dark-eyed Junco and Swainson's Thrush. Later during the morning we birded along the Jack Pine Trail off Moodie Drive and had a nice selection of birds including 3 Virginia rail, 2 Belted Kingfisher, 4 Solitary sandpiper, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs and a Merlin. Unfortunately we didn't relocate the Long-billed Dowitcher near Terry Fox drive and Fernbank Road.

The Great Egret is a rare but regular fall visitor to eastern Ontario.


The Black and White Warbler is easy to recognize by its coloration and nuthatch like behavior.

Fill up your birdfeeders, lots of activity now!

Remember to fill your bird feeders and if you haven't kept them up during the summer months now is the time! There are lots of birds looking to supplement their natural diet with sunflower seeds either white striped or black oil, niger seed or finch seed will keep you busy.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak are common visitors to sunflower feeders during the summer and early fall.


The Black-capped Chickadee is a regular visitor to feeders all year round.

The White-breasted Nuthatch also known as the " upside down bird" is a regular visitor to sunflower feeders.

The House Finch was first recorded in the Ottawa Area in 1977 and is now a common visitor and breeder.


The American Goldfinch, also known as the "Wild Canary", is a common visitor to niger feeders.

Turkey Vultures feeding in freshly cut fields. September 7 ,2009

During the past week I've been noticing Turkey Vultures hanging around freshly cut fields along a number of back roads in the Carp-Dunrobin area. At first i saw a few sitting on bails of hay just sunning themselves but then a saw one soaring overhead and finally landed in the field. The vulture starting feeding on the remains of a small rodent and after a while I noticed another vulture doing the same thing. I drove around the area again and realized that the vultures were feeding on recently killed rodents during the cutting of the hay. I also saw a small group of Common Ravens picking off Meadow Voles in a freshly cut field. Both species are definitely opportunist.

A Turkey Vulture and Common Ravens cleaning up a freshly cut field.

Shorebirds on the move! September 7, 2009

Finally, had a good shorebird watching today. The water level along the Ottawa River continues to lower and at Shirley's Bay today, there was actual mudflats visible for the first time since 2007. Though few shorebirds were noted, it was encouraging to see 1 Baird's Sandpiper, 3 Solitary Sandpiper, 2 Pectoral Sandpiper and 6 Spotted Sandpiper. With the lower water levels, 3 Great Egrets were observed feeding along with 11 Great Blue Heron and 1 American Bittern.
Hopefully these conditions will continue. Later in the day, I happened to come across a flooded field near the corner of Terry Fox Dr. and Fernbank Rd. To my surprise there were 10 species of shorebirds including a juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher. This rare but regular fall visitor was first recorded in the Ottawa District in September 1971 at Shirley's Bay. Also present were 22 Lesser Yellowlegs, 11 Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 Least Sandpiper, 2 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 2 Solitary Sandpiper, and 4 Semipalmated Plover.

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.

Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Eagleson Road exit. Turn south and follow Eagleson Road to Fernbank Rd. and turn right and go to Terry Fox Road. Turn right and watch for flooded field on east side of road.

Flooded fields are always worth checking.

Solitary Sandpiper at the mouth of Watt's Creek, Shirley's Bay.

The Pectoral Sandpiper is a regular fall migrant in through eastern Ontario.

The Long-billed Dowitcher is a rare but regular fall migrant in eastern Ontario.





A juvenile plumaged Lesser Yellowlegs having a stretch!

Birding along the Ottawa River September 3, 2009

Spent a few hours yesterday birding along the Ottawa River from Andrew Haydon Park to Constance Bay. There was lots of activity with 15 species of warblers including numerous Wilson's, Canada, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue and Magnolia Warblers. At Shirley's Bay along the road 5 species of vireo's were observed including 1 Yellow-throated, 2 Philadelphia and 3 Blue-headed. With the recent sunny weather and no rain, the water levels along the Ottawa River are finally dropping. There is a little mudflat/sandbar at Andrew Haydon Park and Shirley's Bay has a bit at the mouth of Watts Creek. A Great Egret was resting in a tree off the dyke. Lots of other land birds including Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Further up river at Constance Bay there was some mudflats with a few shorebirds, Greater Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Sandpiper. The breeding Red-headed Woodpeckers were successful again and 2 juvenile birds were observed at the "Old Burn Site" This is the 8th consecutive year the woodpeckers have bred. The woodpeckers were fly catching and easy to see. If you require additional information, please email me privately.

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.

The Yellow Warbler is a common breeder in the Ottawa area and most migrants are gone by late August. A few linger into September.


The Philadelphia Vireo in an uncommon migrant throughout eastern Ontario.

Adult Red-headed Woodpeckers at Constance Bay.


For the 8th consecutive year the Red-headed woodpeckers have successfully bred.

A Black-capped Chickadee searching for food.

Britannia Warbler Watching August 31, 2009

After last nights cooler temperatures and winds out of the north,the Britannia Conservation Area/Mud Lake was excellent for warbler watching with 18 species present during a 3 hour period 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m.. Most of the concentration was along the east end of the ridge and around the large spruce trees. The highlight was a female CONNECTICUT WARBLER walking along a branch near the fence line. It made a brief appearance and then disappeared into the thicket vegatation. The commonest warbler present was American Redstart 20+, then Tennessee 15+, Black-throated Green 10+, Yellow-rumped " Myrtle" 10+, 8 Wilson's Warbler, and a few Cape May, Blackburnian, Yellow, Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Black & White, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern Parula. Other migrants included Blue-headed Vireo 3, Philadelhia Vireo 1, Scarlet Tanager 4, and Brown Thrasher.

Wilson's Warbler enjoying the late morning sun.

Wilson's Warbler on the move.


Black-throated Green Warbler