Algonquin College Birding Course in Pembroke,Ontario

AN INTRODUCTION TO BIRDWATCHING: GETTING STARTED
Course: GEN7204
Experience a fun, yet educational introduction to birdwatching. Focus on how to identify birds by sight and song and how to use a field guide, optical equipment and familiarize yourself with the 200+ species that occur in the Ottawa Valley in the spring. Time permitting some birding in the area may be possible.
Notes: Course dates are Apr. 29, 30, and May 20, 21. Instructor: Bruce Di Labio
Read more about your instructor at http://www.dilabiobirding.ca/about.html

 Apr 29/30 - May 21/22
Tue, Wed
6:30pm - 9:30pm
$175.75
For complete details and to register online,
visit www.algonquincollege.com/PembrokePD



To register by phone, call 613-735-4700 ext. 2735

February 16,2014 Local birding around Carp.

I birded the Carp-Kinburn and Constance Bay area this afternoon and came across a few interesting species. Along Donald B. Munro Drive and Old Coach Road a small mixed flock of 12 Horned Lark, 15 Snow Bunting and 4 Lapland Longspur were feeding along the shoulder of the road. They also flushed and flew out in a field and landed in an area that had fresh manure. 

 A couple of Common Raven were observed flying over and acting if spring was in the air! The most interesting observation was an adult Northern Goshawk flying over Thomas Dolan Parkway near Carp Road. This species was once an almost regular sight in the woodland areas back in the 1970's but have decreased in numbers since the mid 1980's. 

Good birding,

Bruce

A female Hairy Woodpecker sorts through sunflower seeds at a feeder.

A flock of Snow Bunting hunker down trying to  avoid the strong northwest winds. 

February 14,2014 Snowy Owls hunting at night in Kanata. Really not a surprise!

In general owls continue to dominate the birding scene in eastern Ontario and the Outaouais region. Over this past weekend a total of 8 species were recorded with the Snowy Owl still the top attraction. Most reports came from the regular winter sites including just south of the Ottawa Airport. One interesting fact that I wasn't really aware of is that these typically diurnal owls are hunting at night too. I observed my first Snowy Owl during the daylight hours in the winter of 1969/70. 

Over the years, I only experienced this bird feeding during the day and never considered looking for them at night. On February 7 at 7:00pm I counted 3 along Terry Fox Drive and Huntmar Road as they were perched on telephone poles. Again on February 9 at 11:30pm 

2 were hunting in the area of the Canadian Tire Centre. This evening Ben and I again observed 3 Snowy Owls hunting near the Canadian Tire Centre at between 9:30-11:30pm. 

 I must conclude that since these owls inhabit the arctic during their breeding season and some do spend their winters north, it only makes sense that they must hunt 24/7 if need be!  One of the most fascinating aspects of birding is that no matter how many years you've studied birds you're always learning something new! 

Good birding,

Bruce

During the 1970's and 1980's I regularly went out owling at night
but never observed a Snowy Owl. 

 I found a small number of Snowy Owl hunting at night this winter and finally realized this diurnal owl hunts at night like any other nocturnal owl species. 

February 13,2014 Birding Deschenes Rapids to Constance Bay

At Deschenes Rapids I observed 1 female Long-tailed Duck, 1 male Barrow's Goldeneye, 2 Bufflehead and a small number of common Goldeneye. Didn't relocate either the Red-necked Grebes, Horned Grebe or recently observed and photographed White-winged Scoter. 

The numbers of Snowy owls continue to increase in the Ottawa-Gatineau district and eastern Ontario. Today I birded along the Ottawa River from Deschenes Rapids to Constance Bay checking the mainly frozen river. I observed 5 Snowy Owls sitting out on the ice,  far off shore. The individuals at Deschenes Rapids are possibly hunting water birds at night but not sure what these owls can find out on the vast expanses of ice.

An early February survey along the same area netted a total of 14 Snowy Owls!

Good birding,

Bruce

Numerous Snowy Owls have been sighted sitting on the ice both above and below Deschenes Rapids and along the frozen river to Constance Bay.  

February 11,2014 A nice surprise in my yard this morning!

Hi Everyone

While outside this morning I heard a small group of agatated  Black-capped Chickadee around a cavity in our front yard maple. As I checked out the mob scene I finally saw the reason, a gray morph Eastern Screech-Owl was in the cavity. The chickadees continued to mob the owl and a White-breasted Nuthatch and a downy woodpecker jion in too. After a while the birds appearred to lose interest and carried on feeding at my nearby feeders. The screech-owl stayed all day and finally departed at dusk. 

Good birding,

Bruce

A roosting Eastern Screech-Owl  in my front yard in Carp.

As the morning warmed up the screech-owl came out of the cavity to sun bath. 

Towards dusk it was finally alert and open its eyes. 

Just before leaving for the night it started looking around the area. 

February 11,2014 Northern Saw-whet Owls on the move in eastern Ontario and the Outaouais Region.

Hi Everyone

There appears to be a small owl movement taking place over the past few weeks with at least 6 Northern Saw-whet Owls being reported in eastern Ontario and Gatineau. Most individuals have been one day wonders roosting in back yards that have feeders. One was observed on the ground near the Portage Bridge in Gatineau. All appeared in good condition and the one I photographed in Ottawa had regurgitated a pellet.

Also 3 Boreal Owls have been reported from various location since early January but again not relocated and another was found dead in Algonquin Park. I think it is to early for a north bound movement and wondering if these birds are coming out of the woods or from further north in search of food. I'd recommend checking your back yard I've if you don't have a feeder. You never know what may be roosting in your cedar tree or any tree! So far no small owls reported from Amherst Island. 

Good birding,

Bruce

A Northern Saw-whet Owl roosts in an Ottawa area backyard for the day. 

This individual decided to perch in a deciduous tree in full view for the day.  

February 10,2014 Birding Deschenes and Remic Rapids.

Hi Everyone
I spend a couple of hours this afternoon birding the open water along the Ottawa River at Deschenes and Remic Rapids. Overall it was quiet but there was still at least one of the three Red-necked Grebes that were found on February 8th. The grebe was off Britannia Point at the Britannia Filtration Plant.  There was a small number of Common Goldeneye 25+, 1 Common Merganser and 1 Long-tailed duck which has been present since late December. While scanning over the ice below the rapids I observed 2 Snowy Owls sitting out in the middle of the frozen river and another one above the rapids out on Lake Deschenes. Interestingly, 14 Snowy Owls were counted on February 4th along the Ottawa River between Deschenes Rapids and Constance Bay. All the owls were sitting well out on the ice.

Good birding,
Bruce

The Red-necked Grebe is extremely rare during the winter months in the Ottawa-Gatineau district. 

With  a few Snowy Owls at Deschenes Rapids it may be only time before this grebe becomes a meal.