Hi Ontbirders, Without wanting to get into a numbers game, I have to report that Joel Nordenstrom & I found two significant flocks of Greater Snow Geese this afternoon (17 April) in the Riceville/Franklins Corners area north of St-Isidore.
We estimated (conservatively) that the first flock numbered well over 50,000. It was in the same area as reported by Geof Burbidge (et al) two days ago, & was best viewed from Vallee Road (off Concession Road 12, east of Hwy 9). At least two of the geese had visible neck collars which will be reported for identification to the Canadian Wildlife Service. The second, much smaller flock, numbered around 5,000 & was visible to the north from Hwy 16 just west of Riceville. Many roads in the area remain closed because of flooding but Vallee Road & Concession Road 12 were fully accessible. Please contact me privately if more directions or information are needed. For general information, Embrun, Casselman, & St-Isidore lagoons still have plenty of ice & few birds were present today. The ponds & fields along Milton Road & Frank Kenny Road (just east of Ottawa) produced the regular ducks, including two Redheads, Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Roger Clark Ottawa (613) 744-0314 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
