I visited the Almonte Lagoons between 10 am and noon today (Saturday). There
were well over 1000 Canada Geese including some good candidates for Cackling
geese. Also lots of Wood Ducks and Blue-winged Teal and a few Yellowlegs. As
well there was one Snow goose (white)
Mid afternoon I received a call that a Greater-white fronted Goose was there
and it would be a great addition to my Lanark County Big year so I rushed over.
Unfortunately I had problems with the direction.. on OntBirds They were
fine for getting to Almonte but then they said to cross Hwy 15 (Christian Rd)
and just west was the bird under the water tower. Christian Road is Cty Rd 29
not Hwy 15 and when you cross it the road becomes Wolf Grove Road going west.
The directions kind of ended there with something about the goose being there
(west). Well there is a soccer field on the right with a flock of geese and a
farmer's field on the left with a larger flock of geese. Neither had any sign
of a greater whiter fronted and there is no water tower at the lagoons so I was
confused.
Decided it was best to go to the Lagoons which is west on Wolf Grove to the
first intersection (Ramsay 8) turn right and maybe 100 m and there is a large
sign that directs you to the path to the viewing tower for the lagoons. Off I
went to find the following:
1000+ Canadas there, 1 Ring-necked Duck, a few Yellowlegs and 3 Snow Geese:
the White from the morning plus two dark ones. I did notice in the distant
east the Almonte water tower but no Greater White-fronted in line with it and
after a dozen scans unfortunately I found no Greater White- fronted.
So if you want to visit the lagoons. Please take 417W from Ottawa to the March
road exit for Almonte. Go west and right through town until you come to Cty Rd
29 (Christain St) and cross it. Go to the next intersection which is Ramsay 8,
turn right onto it and 100m on see the sign for the trail to the viewing tower.
The trail goes through the woods not over the fields
good birding
iain
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