I'm on a pair of bald eagles perched at the lower end of upper deck island on the Ottawa River, now. I am putting out the alert because I am now confident in a pattern for this pair. I have reported singles since August on ebird in the same area, as we all see eagles in the Ottawa area randomly from east to west from time to time. However, now that I've established that there is a pair with an established pattern in this area, others may feel the probabilities are hi enough to be worthwhile exploring. Not to mention, that we could do a little project in the area to see whether we could establish where they may nest. Regarding viewing the Eagles, there are two specific favorite spots that the pair like to perch and others randomly up-and-down between upper and lower duck Island. The viewing distances would be roughly 100 to 200 m depending on the spot. Also, axis to the spots are good.
Directions: Travel on the Queensway Highway 174 to the Montreal Road exit. From there, at the lights at the bottom of the hill, turn left to access upper duck island or right to access lower duck island. For upper duck Island, after turning left at the lights, travel approximately two blocks and turn right on Shefford Road. Then travel straight north about five blocks, until you reach the end by the Greens Creek treatment plant. There is parking at the fence on the gravel circle at the end. Continue on foot through the frost fence on a path that crosses the Rockcliffe Parkway and lead you down hill to the path at the river. Almost straight ahead of you but just slightly to the left is the split between upper and lower duck Island. The pair of eagles likes to perch on trees on the downstream end which is the far eastern end of upper duck island. To access the other favorite perches which are at the far eastern end of lower duck Island, turn right at the lights at Montreal Road, travel approximately one block and turn left onto the Rockcliffe Parkway now named the Ettiene-Cartier parkway. Travel approximately three or four Kms and watch for the first and National capital commission parking lot. I believe it is Marked P6. From their proceed on foot directly north across the parkway to the river path. Proceed then to your right maybe 50 to 100 m to get the closest view if the Eagles are there. Approximate viewing distances would be for upper duck island about 200 m and for lower duck island closer to 100 m so great possibilities for excellent scope viewing and relatively good for long lens photography, especially if the birds decide to start circling around the islands which they do from time to time. Enjoy. Ken Ball Sent from my BirdsiPhone _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
