October 18, 2009 Birding Prince Edward Point

The birding at Prince Edward Point was good today with a small but nice flight of both Sharp-shinned and Red-tailed Hawk. The land bird migration was steady with good numbers of Dark-eyed Junco. Overall, weather was nice with sunny skies and a light breeze, highlights included 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Northern Saw-whet Owl, 1 Bald Eagle and a lone Tree Swallow. The banding station reported a good movement of Northern Saw-whet Owls overnight, 38 banded and lots of both Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglet, Dark-eyed Junco and Hermit Thrush. Another highlight of the trip was the number of snakes in the area. We observed over 50+ snakes both alive and roadkill, including Garter, Red-bellied and Northern Water Snake!

The Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area covers 560 hectares.

Sharp-shinned Hawks were everywhere!

The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory Banding Station.

With the numbers of Sharp-shinned hawks around it wasn't a surprise that a few were banded.

One of the common birds netted, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet awaits being removed.

One of the many Garter snakes in the area.

October 17, 2009 More migrants on the move south!

The big news today was the arrival of Sandhill Cranes east of Ottawa along Milton Road. This site has been a regular fall staging area for Sandhills since the mid 90's. The numbers have been steadily increasing with a record high of 80 last fall. The cranes linger into November and depending on the weather conditions, mainly the snowfall, have stayed to early December. Check the fields along Milton Road, Perrault Road, Smith Road and the surrounding area. The Sandhill Crane was first recorded in the Ottawa area on May 1, 1975 and even bred in the late 80's at the Mer Bleu. Another highlight today was a male Eurasian Wigeon along Constance Creek at Thomas Dolan Parkway.

A small flock of Sandhill Cranes coming in for a landing along Milton Road. This was part of the total of 53 cranes observed today. Note the large flat wings and out stretched neck and legs.

A late lingering Semipalmated Plover at the boat launch ramp at Shirley's Bay.

October 14, 2009 Great goose day!

Goose watching continues to be productive in the Ottawa Area with a total of 6 species today. At 1:15 p.m. there were 2 adult Ross's Geese feeding on the west side of Milton Road just north of Perrault Road in a flock of Canada Geese. Near St. Albert 5 Snow Geese and 2 Cackling Geese were feeding in a field near the corner of CR 27 and CR 6.Late this afternoon there was a Greater White-fronted Goose at Andrew Haydon Park and 2 flocks of Brant totaling 200+ birds. Good birding, Bruce

Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 east to exit 96 . Go north for 2 km on Boundary Road to Russell Road (Regional 26). Turn right onto Russell and drive 3.5 km to Milton Road (Regional 31). Turn left on Milton Road and go about 2 km to the bridge and start looking as you head north!

One of the adult Ross's Geese along Milton Road. Note the small size, round head and short bill.

Birding Eastern Ontario October 12-14, 2009

Spent 3 days birding various sites in eastern ontario. Overall the birding was interesting but the weather was cool with lows of -4c and highs only reaching 5 or 6 c. We started in Algonquin Park on Oct. 12th and were surprised at the lack of bird activity. We did manage to find 2 spruce Grouse along Opeongo Lake Road. The male grouse was very active displaying but the female wasn't interested. Along the arrowhow road/ Old railway bed that leads to West rose lake there wereat least 5 very friendly Gray Jays, all color banded, part of an on going study by Dan Strickland. Other birds of note including 2 Boreal Chickadees, 3 American Tree Sparrow and a Great Blue Heron. Unfortunately it appears that this maybe a lean winter for finches in the park. We didn't see any pine or spruce cones and had only 1 American Goldfinch and 1 Purple Finch fly over. Check out Ron Pittaway's "Winter finch Forecast". The following day we birded Prince Edward Point, an amazing contast to Algonquin, with 100's of sparrows, kinglets, and juncos. Highlights included 500+ White-throated Sparrow, 250+ White-crowned Sparrow, 100+ Chipping Sparrow, 35+ Fox Sparrow, 150 Dark-eyed Junco plus a few Eastern Towheee, Field Sparrow, Palm Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo. The afternoon was spent on Amherst Island where we watched a small flight of Brant, 4 flocks totaling 1000+ heading south. Other highlights included 1 Northern Saw-whet Owl, 1 long-eared Owl, 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 2 American Bittern and 2 American Golden Plover. Due to strong winds, 25 km, the land bird activity was limited. The next day October 14th was spent birding various locations including Long Sault Parkway, Hoople Creek, Embrun, St. Albert and finally Milton road near Carlsbad Springs where 2 adult Ross's Geese were feeding in a flock of Canada Geese. Had great views!

Early morning at Spruce Bog.


Gray Jays were easy to find along the old railway bed off Arrowhon road.


One of the many banded Gray Jays in the park.

This Great Blue Heron was very successful catching its breakfast.


The Spruce Grouse is easy to miss but fortunately this individual was very active.


Definitely a show off!


No interest today.


An adult Bald Eagle was a nice surprise at Lake of Two Rivers


I think I can eat one more!


There was not shortage of sparrows at Prince Edward Point. The immature White-crowned Sparrow lacks the striking white and black head markings of the adult.

Amherst Island is famous for its "Owls". One of the first Northern Saw-whet Owls of the fall.

One of the Brant flocks observed over Amherst Island towards dusk.

October 10, 2009 Great birding along the Ottawa River from Shirley's Bay to Britannia

There was lots of activity along the Ottawa River both with water and land birds. Between 8:30a.m. and 10:00 a.m. there was a small flight of Brant, a total of 8 flocks were observed, 8-150+, totaling 600+ birds. Also, 3 flocks of male White-winged Scoter, 44, 28 and 8. There were a few other species migrating including Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Northern Pintail, Black Scoter, Common Loon and 100's of gulls mainly Ring-billed Gull. At Britannia Conservation Area/Mud Lake there was a good movement of land birds with lots of Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 20+ Winter Wren, 9 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Red-eyed Vireo and smaller numbers of Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Dark-eyed Junco and Purple Finch. In the Shirley's Bay area over 500+ American Robins were noted plus a roosting Northern Saw-whet Owl.

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.

Directions: The Britannia Woods/Mud Lake area is located in Ottawa off Richmond Road and Carling Ave. Take Britannia Road north to Cassels and turn right and go east a few 100 metres and park near entrance to woods.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a regular fall migrant throughout eastern Ontario.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is easily recognized by its small size, streaked forehead, black bill and white eyebrows.

October 7, 2009 Local birding.

Today, October 7, 2009 birded along the Ottawa River from Shirley's Bay to Britannia. Lots of activity along the river with a noticeable movement of waterfowl including 6 flocks of Northern Pintail totaling 122 birds, 1 White-winged Scoter, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 130+ Lesser Scaup, 3 Greater Scaup and 1 Common Goldeneye. There was a good movement of land birds at Britannia including, both Golden-crowned and Ruby crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Winter Wren, Purp[le Finch and 1 Orange-crowned Warbler. At Shirley's Bay the Marbled Godwit was still present and an adult Bald Eagle and a Merlin were observed. At Trail Road Landfill Site 1000's of gulls were observed in flight and at least 7 adult Lesser Black-backed gulls were sighted.

The Moodie Drive pond, Trail Road Landfill Site and the surrounding fields can be a great for studying gulls.


Ruffed Grouse are on the move and can be very tame.


Many are reported in backyards within the city of Ottawa.

Eastern Ontario Birding October 5, 2009

Spent part of yesterday, October 5th, birding various sewage lagoons in Eastern Ontario. Overall, very quiet, all high water level but Alfred Sewage Lagoon had a good variety of water birds including 100+ Ruddy Duck, 7 Redhead, 22 Northern Shoveler, 38 American Coot, 11 Common Moorhen and 2 American Bittern. Along Peat Moss Road a single Gray Partridge was observed running across the road. At St. Isidore Sewage Lagoon, 3 Lapland Longspur flew over calling. At Shirley's Bay the Marbled Godwit and 2 Long-billed Dowitcher were still present feeding at the base of the dyke. Water levels are on the rise and there was very little mud. 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.
Directions: Alfred Sewage Lagoon:: From the town of Alfred go east on Highway 17, then turn south on Peat Moss Road and drive for 2 km. The lagoons are on your left (east side of road). The birds are best observed from the viewing tower. Access to the viewing tower is free and no permit is needed.

Entrance to Alfred Lagoons.

The Ruddy Duck is a regular breeder at the lagoons and had another successful breeding season.


The viewing tower gives you a great view of the lagoons.

The Marbled Godwit was still present yesterday but slowly running out of habitat.