December 27, 2010 Lapland Longspurs near Ste. Rose

On our return home from the Massena-Cornwall CBC we made a brief stop in the Casselman-Ste. Rose area towards dusk. No Snowy Owls or hawks but we did find a large flock of Lapland Longspurs, 300+, feeding in a field. It's the largest flock I've ever observed during the winter months. Also present in the area were 68 Horned Lark and 150+ Snow Bunting. Good Birding, Bruce and Ben

Directions: Take Hwy 417 east of Casselman and exit at #58 and go north. Take the first right turn ,Con. 20 and follow to Ste. Rose Road and turn left. Follow to Cty. Rd 3 and turn right. Continue east to Renaud Road and watch on south side of road. Please remember all the land is private property.

Horned Lark regularly overwinter in small number in eastern Ontario.

A distant view of Lapland Longspurs perched in a tree near Ste. Rose.

The Horned Larks kept feeding despite the strong winds blowing snow!

December 25, 2010 Redpolls on the move south.

Redpoll numbers continue to increase in the Ottawa area. This afternoon at around 12:45pm I observed a flock of 250+ Common Redpoll along with 2 Hoary Redpoll on Huntmar Road just south of Richardson Side Rd. The redpolls were feeding in a weedy field until a Merlin made a pass. The whole flock flew up into a tight flock, like starlings or blackbirds do when there is a raptor after them. After a few minutes the redpolls settled down to the weedy fields again and the Merlin disappeared to the west. There were at least 3 Gray Partridge near the intersection of Maple Grove Road and Silver Seven Road. Also observed 5 (1st winter) Iceland Gull near the corner of Richardson Side Road and Carp Road. If you require additional information , please email me privately.
Merry Christmas, Bruce

Common Redpolls are on the move south now.

Weedy fields are a great place to find flocks feeding.

This Merlin made an unsuccessful attempt on the feeding flock of redpolls.

December 18, 2010 Northern Hawk-Owl at Deep River

The Northern Hawk-Owl at Deep River was present today around noon at the corner of Hwy.17 and Banting Drive. We first checked up to the set of lights but no luck and finally located it sitting on top of a spruce tree at the corner. The Summer Tanager hasn't been reported since Monday December 13th.
Good Birding, Bruce and Ben



Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Arnprior and continue on Hwy. 17 past Pembroke to the town of Deep River and watch for Banting Road on your right and start watching.

December 14, 2010 Winter Birding!

Spent a couple of hours birding in the Ottawa area today. Highlight was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Moodie Drive pond which is now frozen. There were around 300+ gulls including 3 Glaucous, 1 Iceland and 50+ Great Black-backed Gull. Along Trail Road near the landfill site there were 100+ Common Redpoll feeding in a weedy field until a Northern Harrier flushed them. Nearby along Barnsdale Road there a Great Blue Heron was feeding in an open creek. The Pine Warbler is still making regular visits to 5718 William McEwen Drive and a Brown Thrasher was photographed today near Dunrobin. If you require additional information, please email me privately. Good Birding, Bruce

Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy 417 west to Hwy 416. South on the 416 to exit 66 (Fallowfield Rd.) Right (west) on Fallowfield to Moodie Dr. Left (south) on Moodie, go past Trail Rd. on your left and Cambrian Rd. on your right until you come to a very large sand & gravel operation on the left (east) side of the road. ***PLEASE NOTE*** - do NOT cross the gate to the sand & gravel operation. This is private property, and most of the birds can be well-viewed from the road. The landfill site is located on Trail Road. There is no access but the gulls can be viewed from Trail Road just south of the main entrance.

Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy 416 south to exit #57 Bankfield Road. Turn right and take first left and follow to 5718 William McEwen Drive on your right. There is no parking on the road and limited parking in their laneway.

Prior to 1970 the Northern Cardinal was a very rare sight in eastern Ontario.

Nowadays, the Northern Cardinal is a permanent resident throughout much of eastern Ontario.

The Merlin is a rare winter resident in urban areas within eastern Ontario.

This Merlin made an attempt at a resting Mourning Dove but the dove escaped.

A male Hairy Woodpecker at a suet ball.

The Blue Jay is a regular sight during the winter months at feeders.

A familiar sight at feeders, the Black-capped Chickadee enjoys suet and sunflower seeds during the winter months.

December 14, 2010 Gulls and Finches

Spent a couple of hours birding in the Ottawa area today. Highlight was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Moodie Drive pond which is now frozen. There were around 300+ gulls including 3 Glaucous, 1 Iceland and 50+ Great black-backed Gull. Along Trail Road near the landfill site there were 100+ Common Redpoll feeding in a weedy field until a Northern Harrier flushed them. Nearby along Barnsdale Road there a Great Blue Heron was feeding in an open creek. The Pine Warbler is still making regular visits to 5718 William McEwen Drive and a Brown Thrasher was photographed today near Dunrobin. If you require additional information, please email me privately.
Good Birding, Bruce

Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy 417 west to Hwy 416. South on the 416 to exit 66 (Fallowfield Rd.) Right (west) on Fallowfield to Moodie Dr. Left (south) on Moodie, go past Trail Rd. on your left and Cambrian Rd. on your right until you come to a very large sand & gravel operation on the left (east) side of the road. ***PLEASE NOTE*** - do NOT cross the gate to the sand & gravel operation. This is private property, and most of the birds can be well-viewed from the road. The landfill site is located on Trail Road. There is no access but the gulls can be viewed from Trail Road just south of the main entrance.

Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy 416 south to exit #57 Bankfield Road. Turn right and take first left and follow to 5718 William McEwen Drive on your right. There is no parking on the road and limited parking in their laneway.

Prior to the late 1960's the Great black-backed Gull was rare visitor to the Ottawa district. There was a big increase during the 80's, 90's and into the 21st century. This fall/early winter there has been a noticeable decrease in numbers possibly due to a population crash and a major change in landfill site operations.

The Brown Thrasher is very rare during the winter months in eastern Ontario and most disappear, likely victims up the cold weather.

December 10, 2010 Update Pine Warbler, Baltimore Oriole and Northern Hawk-Owl

A Northern Hawk-Owl was photographed along Hwy. 15 on November 30th south of Smiths Falls near Camp Otter Lake. Unfortunately the bird hasn't been relocated and this is the second individual report over the past few weeks. The first was in the Kinburn area late November. Maybe a small movement this season. The Pine Warbler is doing well and was present this morning while a male Baltimore Oriole made a brief appearance at a suet feeder in Barrhaven, unfortunately not seen again. It is interesting to note that a male Baltimore Oriole was also photographed on November 14th at the Jack Pine Trail feeders. I wonder if it is the same individual?

Typical perch of the Northern Hawk-Owl.
photo: courtesy of Steve Mercer

Baltimore Oriole at suet feeder December 6th.
Photo: courtesy Danielle Carpentier

December 9, 2010 Presqu'ile P.P. birding

A big change since birding on Tuesday on Gull Island. With colder temperatures and lots of ice around Gull Island and Presqu'ile Bay few water birds present but still a good variety. Didn't see any of the goodies that were present on Dec. 7th but there was a injured male Green-winged Teal struggling through the ice floes at the south end of Gull Island. Along Bayshore Drive there was a nice flock of 40+ American Robins feeding on Mountain Ash berries and nearby sitting in a cedar tree an immature Cooper's Hawk was eating an American Robin. Other birds of note included a couple of Common Redpoll, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Rusty Blackbird and a Northern Shrike.

Directions: Presqu'ile Prov. Park is on the north shore of Lake Ontario, located south of the town of Brighton. Take Hwy 401 and exit at the Brighton/Presqu'ile exit (signed) then follow the park signs once in town. Maps are available at the park gate showing locations
for Gull Is., the Lighthouse etc.

An American Robin enjoying Mountain Ash berries.

The numbers of overwintering American Robins vary each winter depending on the berry crop.

Waterfowl Hunting takes place 4 days a week.

An injured male Green-winged Teal struggles through the ice floes.

With Colder temperatures now shoreline ice is building up.


A Rusty Blackbird was at the Bird Sighting Board feeder.

Northern Shrikes appear to be on the move south this season with numerous sightings across eastern Ontario. During the past week I've observed 8 individuals.