This morning there were both Yellow-bellied and Olive-sided Flycatchers, as well as at least 17 warbler species (unfortunately nothing unexpected) at Britannia/Mud Lake. In early afternoon I went to Osgoode to look for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper reported yesterday, but I was not able to see it. Note that the sandpiper apparently spent a lot of its time yesterday hidden in the small patch of higher grass in the field, so it's possible that it was there today but not visible.
Directions to Britannia: From 417 west, take Pinecrest north, then turn right on Richmond and left on Poulin. Follow Poulin round the 90 degree bend to the left, then take the next right (Britannia) and follow it to the T-junction at the end. Turn right on Cassels and go down a few hundred metres--Mud Lake will be on your right. Olive-sided Flycatcher: On the south side of Cassels and just west of Mud Lake there is a gate/trailhead. Take this trail a few metres then take the trail on your right. After 100 metres or so this trail curves to the left and goes south. Follow this trail through the sumac field, keeping west (right) at any forks. The trail goes by a gate on the right, then enters the woods. After emerging from the woods into a scrubby clearing, the trail forks. Go down the left-hand fork a few metres then turn around and look back towards where you just came from. There are a couple of dead trees here. The flycatcher was very faithful to the far one--flycatching from it and always returning. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Follow the edge of Mud Lake along Cassels heading east into the grounds of the Britannia Filtration Plant. Continue along the edge of the lake on the grassy open area till you reach the end of the lake. There is a trail at the end of the lake that goes south to the Ottawa River bike path. Take this trail (end of lake on the right, swampy area on the left) through a somewhat muddy bit for about 100 metres. A short somewhat overgrown trail comes in on your left. The flycatcher was a few metres in on this trail. Yeah I know it's vague, but it's the best I can do. Paul Matthews, Ottawa _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
