Unfortunately, the majority of the birds have flown, heading east into Quebec where they will link up with the balance of the migrating flocks near Quebec City. On Friday morning, there was still a good flock present off Westley's Point east of Lancaster but on Friday evening birds were hard to find. While they may have headed into the fields to feed, they may also have headed downriver. I was afraid that once the balance of the shore ice left, the local attraction would be seriously diminished. That appears to be the case.
There are certainly thousand of birds left in the counties, probably near traditional locations such as St. Isidore, Chesterville, east of Casselman, Alfred and in 10 days or more from now, along the Ottawa River at Voyageur Provincial Park. Once the ice is fully gone from municipal reservoirs, those areas will be the new magnet for the balance of the birds remaining. Based on annual survey statistics, we can expect that about 65,000 or more will still be around until May in about a dozen flocks scattered throughout the eastern portion of the province. Brian Morin Cornwall _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
