Happy New Year Ontbirders
There is an adult male Yellow-headed Blackbird coming to the property
of #23 Manitou Street in the community of Forest Park, south of Limoges.
This area is within the "Ottawa 50K District".
The bird is in basic/winter plumage, looking just like a breeding adult
except for having a darker crown and nape.
While there this afternoon, I also saw a Common Grackle, 2 Red-winged
Blackbirds and a Boreal Chickadee!
I've been advised by the property owner that, for the past week and a
half, the YHBL has loosely followed a routine of coming into the
feeding station in the morning, then again in late afternoon. It
appears to associate with a group of European Starlings. But, sometimes
comes to the feeder alone. It often perches on top of a tall deciduous
tree in the back yard.
Forest Park is a relatively new community of 4 long, dead-end streets,
bordering on a large woodlot next to the Castor River. The homes have
relatively open properties with large yards. There are many feeders in
the area, so there is plenty to check. However, late this afternoon it
spent a good deal of time at the feeder in the back of #23.
Directions from Ottawa:
East on Hwy 417 to Exit #79 (Hwy #5, Limoges Road).
Turn right (south) on Limoges Road to Route 500 (there is a Petro
Canada Station at this corner).
Turn left (east) on Route 500 past Cambridge School.
Continue to the 4th street past the school.
This is Manitou Street - turn right here and park on the road in front
of #23.
Please respect the property owners wishes and do NOT clog the laneway.
And, do not go beyond the trailer at the side of the house.
This is probably your best view point anyway.
Good Luck
Tony Beck
158-B Woodridge Cr.,
Ottawa, Ont.
K2B 7S9
(613)-828-5936
website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/
