May 15,2014 White-eyed Vireo at Shirley's Bay

Hi Everyone
While going to check on the Bald eagle nest at Shirley's Bay I heard and briefly saw an adult White-eyed Vireo near the gate entrance to the  Rifle Range. The vireo sang a number of times as it slowly moved south and disappeared. The White-eyed Vireo is a very rare visitor to eastern Ontario and most records are from the fall season. The Bald Eagles are doing well and have two young. This is the third consecutive year that the eagles have nested
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 causeway. There is lots of POISON IVY along the causeway.

**** PLEASE NOTE**** YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE RANGE CONTROL
OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING THE SHIRLEY'S BAY AREA-- Call (613) 991-5740 and request permission to visit the causeway area for birding.

Bald Eagles continue to successfully nest at Shirley's Bay. 

May 14,2014 Local birding: Britannia Conservation Area

Hi Ontbirders

The birding today, May 14th was excellent in the Ottawa area with a large number of migrant warblers and other land birds in various woodlots around the city. At the Britannia Conservation Area-Mud Lake there were 20 species of warblers including 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 10+ Northern Parula, 450+ Yellow -rumped Warbler, 40 Yellow Warbler, 30 American Redstart, 7 Black-throated Blue Warbler, and smaller numbers of Bay-breasted, Pine, Palm, Magnolia, Canada, Wilson, Blackburnian and other species. Numerous vireos including 3 Philadelphia Vireo, 15 Warbling Vireo, 6 Red-eyed Vireo and 3 Bobolink flew over and 500+ Cedar Waxwing were observed. A Northern Mockingbird was found south of the BOCA along the bike path. Over the village of Britannia a loose flock of 100+ Chimney Swift were observed feeding high in the sky. A Yellow-throated Vireo was observed in a small wood lot off Island Park Drive and the Ottawa River Parkway. Lots of activity!
Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: The Britannia Conservation Area-Mud Lake is located north of Carling Ave at Richmond Road. Follow Britannia Road north to Cassels Road and turn right.

March 1-3,2014 Birding the Tapichalaca and Copalinga areas in southern Ecuador.

Hi Everyone

On our first morning we were rain out but the hummingbird feeders keep us busy with Long-tailed Sylph, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Amethyst-throated and Flame-throated Sunangels, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Collared Inca, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and Speckled Hummingbird. It was a challenge identifying all these hummers and remembering their names! 

Our last early morning outing in the Tapichalaca Reserve started with a visit  to the now famous Jocotoco Antpitta feeder. This species was first discovered in the late 1990's and has been a major attraction for birders from all over the world. After a short wait the Jocotoco Antpitta arrived for its feeding of worms. At one point there were 3 antpittas, 2 adults and one young. 

The following morning at Copalinga we birded along a trail in the Bombuscaro sector of the Podocarpus National Park and had an amazing variety of hard to find birds starting with Amazonian Umbrellabird, Black-streaked Puffinbird and Lanceolated Monklet among other species. During the afternoon at the Copalinga Lodge  the feeders and property were active with many species including Violet-fronted Brilliant, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Orange-billed Sparrow, Silver-beaked Tanager, Spotted Tanager, Green Honeyeater and even a male Blackburnian Warbler. The highlight was a female Spangled Coquette! 

Good birding,

Bruce

Jocotoco Antpitta

female Spangled Coquette 

Black-streaked Puffbird

male Powerful Woodpecker 

male Green Honeyeater 

Common Tody-Flycatcher 

male Blackburnian Warbler 

Violet-headed Hummingbird 

Oilbird 

Amazonian Umbrellabird

Lanceolated Monklet

More Ecuador birding February 27-28,2014

Hi Everyone

The birding continues to be exciting with lots of new species including Golden-plumed Parakeet, Pacific Parrotlet, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Flame-throated Sunangel, Red-crested Cotinga, and Barred Fruiteater. We covered a variety of areas including Sozoranga, Utuana reserve, Catamayo Valley, and the Cajanuma sector of Podocarpus National Park. Everyday is full of new families of birds, habatits, and great birding experiences!   

Good birding,

Bruce

Amethyst-throated Sunangel

Long-tailed Sylph

Flame-throated Sunangel 

Barred Fruiteater 

Golden-plumed Parakeet 

Western Slaty-Antshrike

Scarlet-crowned Parakeet

White-winged Becard

White-tailed Jay 

Plumbeous-backed Thrush 

Pacific Parrotlett

Southern Yellow Grosbeak 

Birding southern Ecuador February 21-26,2014

Hi Everyone

Arrived in Ecuador  from the cold and wintry north on February 21st. We spent the first night in Guayaquil before heading to Umbrellabird Lodge for a few nights. Lots of great birding and amazing hummingbird activity. At the Umbrellabird Lodge there were 5 feeders that were filled 7 times a day to feed the 300+ hummers that fed daily. At one time there were over 150+ hummingbirds feeding at one time!  

On February 25th we worked our way to Urraca Lodge. Another excellent area for birding with lots of new birds including Tombes Sparrow, Tombes Hummingbird, Western Peruvian Screech-Owl, Slaty Becard, and Blackish-headed Spinetail. Tomorrow will be more new birds! 

Good birding,

Bruce

A feeding frenzy of hummingbirds! 

Violet-bellied Hummingbird 

Green Thorntail line up for a feed.

Black Vulture 

Bat Falcon 

female Green Thorntail 

White-necked Jacobin 

Green-crowned Brilliant and Green Thorntail feeding.

West Peruvian Screech-Owl 

Spectacled Owl 

White-cheeked Pintail 

February 20,2014 Website updated

Hi everyone
I've finally had my website updated which includes both Spring birding courses and the Spring specialty trips along with my 2014 tour schedule. If you are interested in any courses or outings please register on line. Looking forward to another great spring of birding!

Bruce Di Labio

February 18,2014 More Snowy Owls at night, Perth to Kanata.

While driving back home from Presqu'ile today I observed 5 Snowy Owls hunting at dusk and afterwards between Perth and Kanata. One was in the Perth area, one near Carleton Place, one along Hwy.7 and 2 in the Kanata area. All but one of the owls were sitting on telephone poles. This winter is the first time I've seen numbers of Snowy Owl's hunting at night.  

At dusk a Snowy Owl perches on a church steeple in  the Perth area.