[Ontbirds] Ottawa: Greater White-fronted & Cackling Geese

Today between 11-11:30am there was a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and a CACKLING GOOSE on the quarry pond at Moodie Drive. Also eight SNOW GOOSE (2 blue morphs) among the thousands of CANADA GEESE. Good birding!Pat DIRECTIONS: The quarry pond is located on Moodie Drive between Cambrian and Barn

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Barrow's Goldeneye, Scoters, Western Grebe

It seems things are starting to pick up in the Ottawa area. This morning I had a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE visible from the boat launch at Shirley's Bay. The Barrow's was feeding with two common goldeneye females, and had a solid orange bill and characteristic flat forehead. It was quite dis

[Ontbirds] Pembroke - Nelson's & Le Conte's Sparrow, Eastern Towhee

I spent the day at Westmeath Provincial Park outside of Pembroke. Sparrows were the target species, and the Park did not disappoint. I found two NELSON'S SPARROWS and one LE CONTE'S SPARROW in the tall vegetation along the shore of the Park. The Nelson's were observed well, but the Le Conte'

[Ontbirds] Ottawa West - Black-backed Woodpecker

At 3:30pm I located a female BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER at the Bill Mason Centre in Dunrobin. The woodpecker was along the woodland trail, near the outdoor classroom at the back of the woods (if you enter the dragonfly field, you've gone too far). http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/Birds/Woodpeckers-N

[Ontbirds] Constance Bay - Nelson's Sparrow

This morning at 8AM I found one of the NELSON'S SPARROWS mentioned by Jeff Skevington and Bruce DiLabio yesterday afternoon. There are also a lot of SWAMP SPARROWS as well, so it may take awhile before tracking down the Nelson's. I personally did not have any problems today with the homeowner

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Shirley's Bay Shorebirds

This morning Nick von Maltzahn and I birded along the Shirley's Bay dyke. Shorebird activity was dramatically reduced as compared to previous weeks, but a small mixed-species foraging group contained two BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS and singles of PECTORAL SANDPIPER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, BLACK-BELLED PLOVER

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Buff-breasted Sandpiper

This afternoon the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER first reported by Richard Waters near Britannia Beach was present between 2-3pm. I first located it in a wet grassy area to the west of the rocky shoal foraging with SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS; later it flew closer to the pier at Britannia Beach and move

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Am. Golden-plovers

This afternoon at 2pm there were 9 AM. GOLDEN-PLOVERS at Beltown Park near Britannia Beach. The golden-plovers were on one of the exposed shoals out into the Ottawa River, though easily visible with binoculars. Other shorebirds at this location include SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, LEAST SANDPIPERS,

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Shorebirds, R-N Phalaropes

My wife Melanie and I birded along the Ottawa River at Andrew Haydon Park this afternoon. There were relatively decent numbers of shorebirds, specifically LEAST and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 1 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, several SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, both YELLOWLEGS, and 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. C

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Common Nighthawk

My wife and I birded along the Carp ridge late this morning (9-11am). We were surprised to hear a COMMON NIGHTHAWK calling near one of the ponds on the ridge. A rather lengthy trek around the numerous interconnecting ponds led to actually finding the nighthawk perched in a tree. Spectacular

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Great Egret

This afternoon at Dow's Lake, a GREAT EGRET was resting on an exposed sandbar near the Dow's Lake Pavilion. Earlier in the day there were reportedly three of them in the area. Pat DIRECTIONS: The Dow's Lake Pavilion is located on Queen Elizabeth Drive at Preston Street.

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Field Sparrow

This is definitely an early first for me, but there was a single FIELD SPARROW singing on the Carp Ridge late this morning, around 11am. Good birding! Pat DIRECTIONS: In the west end, follow Dunrobin Road to Thomas Dolan Parkway, turning left onto the Parkway. Follow the Parkway for about 5½

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - American Woodcock

Two AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were peenting in their traditional place on Kettles Road in Munster. While returning to Ottawa, a third AMERICAN WOODCOCK flew across Fallowfield Road near Conley Road. Good birding! Pat DIRECTIONS: Kettles Road is located south of Munster. From Ottawa, take Fallowfi

[Ontbirds] Ottawa East (St. Isidore area) - Gray Partridge, Lapland Longspur, Thayer's Gull

I apologize for the late report. Yesterday afternoon between 1-4pm I birded the St. Rose / St. Isidore area east of Ottawa. Along Concession 20 there was a juvenile SNOWY OWL near the power station. Ten GRAY PARTRIDGES were feeding under a spruce along Concession 19 near Renaud Road. Alo

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Brant, Scoters & Cackling Geese

The two BRANT continue at Andrew Haydon Park, located around the western duck pond. Two CACKLING GEESE were also found with a little difficulty amid many dozens of CANADA GEESE on the western pond. On the Ottawa River, viewable with binoculars or a scope, three SURF SCOTERS and one BLACK SCOT

[Ontbirds] Navan - Sandhill Cranes

This morning at 9am there were approximately 150 SANDHILL CRANES in the fields along Milton and Smith Roads in Navan. The foraging birds were spread out, but were concentrated along Smith Road to the west of Milton Road. A dozen SNOW BUNTINGS were also seen and heard in the area. Good birdi

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - White-winged Crossbills & Pine Siskins

This morning between 8:30 and 10am, several small flocks of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were flying over the boardwalk at Mer Bleue. Along the Dewberry Trail off Dolman Ridge Road, another flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS flew over, and about a dozen PINE SISKINS were feeding high on the spruce tr

[Ontbirds] Embrun S.L. - Wilson's Phalarope

I went to the Embrun sewage lagoons this morning (8:45-9:45AM) and was delighted to find a beautiful female WILSON'S PHALAROPE on one of the cells. Other shorebirds included ~48 LEAST and 7 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, as well as both LESSER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS. NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELER,

[Ontbirds] Chaffey's Locks - Cerulean & Golden-winged Warblers, Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Hi ONTBirders: I spent the morning birding along Opinicon Road, both at the Skycroft campgrounds and further south on Opinicon Road near the QUBS tree swallow study area. YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS can be found in good numbers, pretty much anywhere along Opinicon Road. I observed 11 species of w

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Airport Sparrows

Ken Ball and I spent a pleasant morning at the Ottawa airport, and it seems that all eight species of sparrows have returned to the area. Observed were SAVANNAH (6), SONG (4), FIELD (4), WHITE-THROATED (4), VESPER (2), CHIPPING (2), GRASSHOPPER (3), and CLAY-COLOURED (1). BLACK-AND-WHITE, YEL

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Red-necked Grebes

At Shirley's Bay this morning there were ten RED-NECKED GREBES feeding together amid dozens of LESSER SCAUP. They were last seen around 8:30AM, before the heavy rains set in. Pat DIRECTIONS: From Carling Avenue West, turn right onto Rifle Road and follow to the end. The grebes were visible

[Ontbirds] Ottawa West (Constance Bay) - Upland Sandpiper, Eastern Towhee, Horned Grebes

Jeff Skevington hosted a terrific outing with the OFNC on Saturday. With perfect weather conditions, our group was treated to many migrants around Constance Bay. Highlights of the full-day outing were: - HORNED GREBES (4) on the river around the Constance Bay peninsula - A male ROSE-BREASTED

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - New Arrivals

I birded several areas in the west end of Ottawa this morning, locating a few interesting new arrivals as migration continues. At Britannia C.A., highlights were a RED-NECKED GREBE and a COMMON LOON on Britannia Bay, two EASTERN KINGBIRDS, YELLOW-RUMPED, PALM, PINE, and YELLOW WARBLERS, and a

[Ontbirds] Migrants at the Ottawa International Airport (Apr. 28)

I had quite a morning at the Ottawa International Airport, despite the passing downpours. Most of the sparrows are back on territory, including FIELD, SONG, SAVANNAH, CHIPPING, WHITE-THROATED, and VESPER SPARROWS. A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was singing in the woods near the radar station off H

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Sandhill Crane, Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe

Although many of the waterways in Ottawa remain frozen to one extent or another, I ventured to the Sarsaparilla Trail in Stony Swamp to look for some migrating waterfowl. Much of the large pond at the end of this trail is covered with a paper-thin sheet of ice, but small patches of open water

[Ontbirds] Ottawa West (Carp) - 4 Geese Species

A few local birders scanned the Carp River floodplain looking for geese this morning (~9:45-10:45AM). It did not disappoint: amid hundreds of CANADA GEESE were found four GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, four SNOW GEESE (including two blue phase), and two ROSS'S GEESE. Good birding! Pat DIRECTI

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - American Woodcock, Northern Saw-whet Owl

In the muddy fields surrounding Kettles Road south of Ottawa, five AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were peenting this evening just after sunset. A single WILSON'S SNIPE was also heard. Later in the evening, probably around 8PM, I heard the call of a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL far off in the distance, just at t

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Glaucous, Lesser Black-backed Gulls

This morning at 10:15AM I was able to pick out single GLAUCOUS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, both in adult plumages, sitting on the ice at the Moodie Drive quarry pond. Half a dozen GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were also present, as were good numbers of AMERICAN HERRING GULLS and RING-BILLED GULL

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Hermit Thrush, Bohemian Waxwings, Hoary Redpoll

Greetings ONTBirders: The HERMIT THRUSH that has spent the winter at the feeders near the Hurdman bus station was present again this morning. The bird was favouring its right leg, spending most of the time hopping around on one foot and pausing to rest often. This is similar to a hermit t

[Ontbirds] Ottawa East - Lapland Longspurs & Horned Larks

This afternoon (Feb. 4) I birded around the St. Rose and St. Isidore area. An hour's birding yielded a total of 34 LAPLAND LONGSPURS. The longspurs were usually in threes and fours within large flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS, but I came across a single flock of seventeen longspurs along Concession 1

[Ontbirds] Amherst Island - NHOW, Broad-winged Hawk (Jan. 21)

Yesterday myself and Ken Ball toured Amherst Island. At the Millhaven docks during our departure we noticed an AMERICAN COOT walking on the ice right below the loading zone at the ferry. The channel to the island is mostly frozen, consequently there was no activity. The Owl Woods had the typ

[Ontbirds] Ottawa: Northern Shrike, Bohemian Waxwings, C. Redpolls

Five COMMON REDPOLLS of the "flammea" type were at the feeders on Hilda Road, west of downtown Ottawa, this afternoon. A flock of approx. 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS made a brief fly-by over the area. Upon leaving, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was perched on the telephone lines at the intersection of Rifle Roa

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Common Loon, Raptors

My wife and I made a whirlwind tour of Ottawa, checking on several different sites. At Britannia C.A. a COMMON LOON was swimming just off shore near the water filtration plant; only a small portion of Britannia Bay is still open, just below the Deschênes Rapids. An adult PEREGRINE FALCON made

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Northern Shrikes

Greetings ONTBirders: At 11:30am at Mer Bleue, two NORTHERN SHRIKES were observed from the eastern side of the boardwalk, several hundred meters out into the bog. One of the shrikes, I'm assuming the male, was vocalizing for several minutes. Unfortunately, no sign of the BLACK-BACKED WOODPEC

[Ontbirds] Algonquin - Evening Grosbeak, B-B Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadees

My wife and I spent the day in Algonquin Park, birding at the old airfield and along Mizzy Lake Trail. Activity at the airfield was low, but we did see a single male EVENING GROSBEAK near the parking area. Mizzy Lake Trail had a little more to offer, with about five GRAY JAYS near the gate of

[Ontbirds] Alfred & Plantagenet - Ross's Goose

This morning at 11am a single ROSS'S GOOSE was observed with several hundred CANADA GEESE in a large field off of CR-15 approximately 3.5 kilometers north of the village of Fournier. The goose was only a few hundred meters from the road, clearly visible through binoculars. Both its stubby bil

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Gray-cheeked Thrushes, Orange-crowned Warbler

At Britannia Conservation Area this afternoon between 11:30-1:15pm, I observed a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH just below of the filtration plant on the long trail to the eastern side of the C.A. AMERICAN ROBINS and SWAINSON'S THRUSHES were also present in moderate numbers along this trail. Another GRA

[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile - Shorebirds, Raptors, Rusty Blackbirds

I spent yesterday Sept. 15 at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in Brighton. Shorebirding was quite productive along the beaches, with AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (5), BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (14), SANDERLING (11) being the most common species. A juvenile RED KNOT was feeding with several BLACK-BELLIED PLO

[Ontbirds] Ottawa & East - Shorebirds & Waterfowl, Red-necked Phalarope

I returned to Andrew Haydon Park this morning and spent several hours trying to relocate the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER I reported yesterday afternoon, with no luck. With the strong northernly winds today, it has likely moved on. However, there were shorebirds to be found, with SANDERLINGS (9),

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Buff-breasted Sandpiper

This afternoon (1:30-2:30pm) a juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was feeding east of Andrew Haydon Park. Other shorebirds included a single LEAST SANDPIPER and five SANDERLINGS. I also found two CASPIAN TERNS roosting with the RING-BILLED GULLS. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: http://pj-mcblake.smu

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Shorebirds, Great Egrets, Peregine Falcon

Late this morning a juvenile PEREGRINE FALCON was hunting along the exposed mudflats east of Andrew Haydon Park, stirring up a lot of gulls on the river. It is likely the falcon spooked most of the shorebirds, if there were any, as I was only able to find two BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS with a single S

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Baird's Sandpipers still here

Five BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were still present on the exposed mudflats just east of Andrew Haydon Park this morning at 9am. The birds flew in from the east, foraged for about fifteen minutes, before being flushed by a passing OSPREY. When my wife and I left at around 9:45, we could not relocate t

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Baird's Sandpipers

This morning between 8:30-9:30am, six juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were feeding on the exposed riverbed just east of Andrew Haydon Park. Among them were three LEAST SANDPIPERS and a lone SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. Good birding! Pat DIRECTIONS: Andrew Haydon Park is on Carling Avenue; the entranc

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Great Egret, Caspian Tern, N. Rough-winged Swallow

This afternoon around 2-3pm, a GREAT EGRET was visible near the Deschênes Rapids at Britannia Conservation Area. The last I saw of it, it was flying west along the river towards the Shirley's Bay area. There was also a single CASPIAN TERN amid hundreds of RING-BILLED and AMERICAN HERRING GULL

[Ontbirds] Upper Canada Sanctuary directions

Sorry folks, the directions should read "turn right or WEST onto Hwy 2," not east. _ Got a phone? Get Hotmail & Messenger for mobile! http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9724464

[Ontbirds] Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary - Interesting D-E Junco

Birding was relatively slow at the Sanctuary this afternoon, due to the wind and brisk conditions on the St. Lawrence. Very little in the way of waterfowl, with a few pairs of COMMON MERGANSERS and GREEN-WINGED TEALS, along with numerous CANADA GEESE. The highlight of the afternoon was what I

[Ontbirds] Ottawa South - American Woodcocks, Wilson's Snipe

Greetings ONTBirders: Last night, between 8-10:30pm, a friend and myself heard and saw three AMERICAN WOODCOCKS peenting in the fields off Kettles Road in Munster. At least one WILSON'S SNIPE was also winnowing overhead periodically. Pat DIRECTIONS: From Ottawa (Prince of Wales Drive), ta

[Ontbirds] St. Rose: Snow Geese, Lapland Longspur

Along Concession 19 east of Casselman I found a single LAPLAND LONGSPUR foraging with at least 150 SNOW BUNTINGS in an exposed tilled field. The real highlight of the day was three SNOW GEESE flying high over the area, heading northeast. Is it too early to hope that spring might be on the way

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Waxwings, Robins

Hi ONTBirders: At the feeders on Hilda Road this afternoon (12:30pm), a flock of 56 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS was present for a few minutes before dispersing to the north and west. We also made a brief stop at Britannia Conservation Area, where we found five CEDAR WAXWINGS feeding on berries on the

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Gray Partridges

Hi ONTBirders: As per David Britton's report yesterday, three male GRAY PARTRIDGES were huddled under a coniferous tree on the front lawn of the City of Ottawa facility on Maple Grove Drive today. For those attempting to locate these birds, check under the coniferous trees carefully, as the

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Barrow's Goldeneye

It seems like we're having an influx of these this winter. My wife and I observed a single male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE among half a dozen or so COMMON GOLDENEYE near the ice on Riopelle Island, just south of Bate Island, on the Ottawa River. This is likely the same one that hangs around Remic Rap

[Ontbirds] Amherst Supplemental - R-B Woodpecker

Hi again: I forgot to mention, we observed a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER a ways off the trail leading into the Owl Woods, approximately 300 meters from the feeders at the entrance. Pat

[Ontbirds] Amherst - 4 Owl Species, Kestrels, Bald Eagle

My wife and I spent the afternoon at Amherst Island. Overall it was slow in the Owl Woods, with only singles of BARRED, BOREAL, and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS. No LONG-EARED OWLS were observed by us or any of the other birders/photographers were spoke to. A 3rd year BALD EAGLE flew over the wood

[Ontbirds] Ottawa & Environs: Common Yellowthroat, Barrow's Goldeneye, Barred Owl, Wild Turkey

I took my father-in-law on a tour of local birding hotspots, in the hopes of helping him find some species he had never seen before. At Strathcona Park, we located two of the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE that have been regular fixtures there recently. We also managed to relocate the COMMON YELLOW

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Yellowthroat

Fraser Derraugh and myself were at Strathcona Park this morning (8:30am). Near the shore was one of the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE that have been around the area for the past few weeks. A second male BARROW's GOLDENEYE was further downstream to the south. Other waterfowl consisted of about a do

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - GBBGs, Glaucous Gull

I went to check on the gull roost reported by Peter Hall last night. The vast majority of gulls present were GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, I'd estimate at least 100, with some AMERICAN HERRING GULLS mixed in (about 25+). There was a single second-year GLAUCOUS GULL feeding on a mallard carcass o

[Ontbirds] Ottawa West - Bald Eagle

At the Kerwin Trail this morning (9am) there was a first-year BALD EAGLE perched in a tree approx. 40m off the trail. The eagle was being mobbed by a half dozen or so COMMON RAVENS, and eventually took to the air and was periodically flying over the trail for another 15 minutes. Pat DI

[Ontbirds] Kars - Barred Owl

I went to follow up on a tip I received from my friend Stephen Derraugh. At approx. 10:30am there was a BARRED OWL on the Hare Trail at Baxter Conservation Area in Kars. Otherwise there was nothing unusual around, just the common winter birds. Pat DIRECTIONS: Baxter Conservation Area is l

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Bald Eagle, Ring-necked Ducks, Wood Duck

My wife and I visited Britannia C.A. this morning around 11-12:30pm. Supplemental to Mark Gawn's report this morning, an adult BALD EAGLE was hunting along the Ottawa River at 11:30am, mostly chasing waterfowl along the ridge. The eagle came to rest in the pines around Mud Lake, but was inevi

[Ontbirds] Ottawa East - Lapland Longspurs

I spent an hour driving around the St. Rose area, concentrating on Concessions 19 and 20. There were good numbers of SNOW BUNTINGS and HORNED LARKS on Concession 20 near Renaud. In one flock of about a dozen HORNED LARKS were five LAPLAND LONGSPURS. I did not locate any SNOWY OWLS in the tr

[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile - Purple Sandpipers

Despite savage winds out of the west this morning, I managed to track down four PURPLE SANDPIPERS on the eastern side of Gull Island, where the rise in the land created shelter from the winds. Also taking shelter near the east side of the island were at least 150+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS and several

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Cackling Goose

Hi ONTBirders: As per Mark Gawn's report on November 29, a single CACKLING GOOSE is still present at Andrew Haydon Park. This afternoon at around 1:30pm, I observed it on the eastern duck pond, mingling with a few hundred CANADA GEESE. Pat Cackling Goose: http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/Na

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Thayer's Gull, Blackpoll Warbler still present

Greetings ONTBirders: The BLACKPOLL WARBLER first reported by Jeff Skevington on Nov. 7 is still present at Dick Bell Park, foraging on the three evergreens nearest the lighthouse. On the shore of the eastern duck pond at Andrew Haydon Park, among a small flock of RING-BILLED GULLS, was a s

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Redhead

Hi everyone: At 4:15pm this afternoon a male REDHEAD was observed above the Hog's Back Falls at Hog's Back Park. It was associating with several AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS and MALLARDS; a hybrid black duck x mallard was also in the group. Pat DIRECTIONS: Hog's Back Park is located on Hog's Ba

[Ontbirds] Algonquin P.P. - Black-backed Woodpeckers, Am. Tree Sparrows

Hello everyone: I arrived early at Algonquin (around 7:30am) and was delighted to find a pair of BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS boring into a telephone pole between Kilometers 54-55. Judging by the number of holes in most of the poles there, I would say the woodpeckers frequent this area. Next I

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Shorebirds & Pipits

Sorry this report is late, I was not able to get to a computer until this morning. Yesterday evening (Oct. 8) at Andrew Haydon Park, I found a flock of 4 AMERICAN PIPITS on the rocky shore of the river, more to the eastern side of the park. On a tip from W. Hum, I managed to locate a single S

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Swainson's Thrush, White-crowned Sparrows

Hi ONTBirders: At the Fletcher Wildlife Gardens, there was quite a lot of activity near the crab apple trees and berry bushes near the Ash Woodlot. A highlight was a SWAINSON'S THRUSH, apparently a juvenile, which made a brief appearance. Lots of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and AMERICAN ROBINS,

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Marbled Godwit, Am. Golden-plover, L-B Dowitcher Update

Hello everyone: As of this morning (9am-10am) the MARBLED GODWIT is still present on the mudflats around the Shirley's Bay dyke. Two AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER were seen grooming together. I observed one LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, but there may have been more that I miss

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Waterfowl Migrants

Hello everyone: A few glimmers of the waterfowl migration are present at Andrew Haydon Park. BLUE- and GREEN-WINGED TEAL were both feeding in the cove, along with KILLDEER, a LESSER YELLOWLEGS, two LEAST SANDPIPERS, and a juvenile GREEN HERON. Further out on the Ottawa River, AMERICAN WIGEO

[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile P.P. - Shorebirds, Raptors, Owl

I spent yesterday at Presqu'ile with my wife and Stephen Derraugh, Anna Marie Iraci, and their son Fraser. As previous reports have stated, there were large numbers of SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. We also so found a few WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, LEAST S

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Warblers & Other Migrants (Britannia C.A.)

Hello ONTBirders: I spent the morning at Britannia Conservation Area. There were a total of 10 species of warbler, including MAGNOLIA, BAY-BREASTED, YELLOW, YELLOW-RUMPED, BLACK-AND-WHITE, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, NASHVILLE, WILSON'S, PINE, and AMERICAN REDSTART. WARBLING

[Ontbirds] Y-B Flycatcher, Blackburnian Warbler, Ovenbird - Ottawa

Greetings ONTBirders: I spent a few hours at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES are prolific there, but a few interesting migrants were also around. A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was at the edge of the Ash Woodlot, where I also found a female BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. A single PHIL

[Ontbirds] Brant - Ottawa

Greetings ONTBirders: A single BRANT was at the western duck pond this afternoon, resting with MALLARDS and a few RING-BILLED GULLS right along the shore. This brant is probably the same one reported by Alex Stone two days ago. The only other thing of interest were two COMMON TERNS that we

[Ontbirds] Algonquin - Warblers, Boreal Chickadees

Hi ONTBirders: I spent the day at Algonquin, concentrating on the Arowhon Road areas. At the end of Arowhon Road, on the Orange Trail at Arowhon Pines, I located 10 species of warbler, including 4 NORTHERN PARULAS, 4 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, and 1 CANADA WARBLER. Tw

[Ontbirds] Chaffey's Locks - Cerulean & Golden-winged Warblers, Y-T Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Greetings ONTBirders: I spent the morning at Chaffey's Locks, birding along Opinicon Road. Highlights included: - 10 CERULEAN WARBLERS: can be heard and seen (with patience) almost anywhere along Opinicon Road, especially around the Skycroft Campground and west from there. - 4 BLUE-GRAY

[Ontbirds] Ottawa Int'l Airport - Sparrows & Mockingbird

I spent the late morning birding the airport with Steve Derraugh and his family. We had a productive morning, with all sparrow species accounted for: 7 SAVANNAH, 6 SONG, 6 FIELD, 7 CHIPPING, 4 GRASSHOPPER, 8 VESPER, and 3 CLAY-COLOURED SPARROWS. Also of interest was a single WILLOW FLYCATCHER

[Ontbirds] Ottawa Int'l Airport - Clay-coloured, Vesper, Grasshopper Sparrows

Greetings ONTBirders, I documented 47 species in the area around the Ottawa International Airport this morning. All seven species of sparrow were present, including 7 CHIPPING, 11 SONG (a pair seemed to be nesting, but I did not locate the nest), 12 SAVANNAH, 5 FIELD, 5 GRASSHOPPER, 5 VESPER

[Ontbirds] Chaffeys Locks - Cerulean, Tennessee Warblers

I was at Chaffeys Locks from around 12pm to 2:30pm. A lot of activity despite the cooler temperatures. I came across 8 CERULEAN WARBLERS, 3 YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS, 3 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, 2 INDIGO BUNTINGS, and the big surprise for the afternoon, 2 TENNESSEE WARBLERS that were mingling with

[Ontbirds] Ottawa Int'l Airport - Clay-coloured, Vesper, Other Sparrows

I missed the OFNC outing to the Airport this morning due to work, so I headed out there this afternoon to see what I had missed. Almost all sparrow species were accounted for, including several SAVANNAH and SONG SPARROWS, 3 CHIPPING SPARROWS, 2 FIELD SPARROWS, 5 VESPER SPARROWS, and 5 CLAY-COL

[Ontbirds] Sora, Virginia Rails - Dunrobin

After work I birded the Bill Mason Centre for a little over an hour. There are many WILSON'S SNIPES winnowing throughout the marsh (I counted at least six). There were also several VIRGINIA RAILS calling around. When I arrived I first heard a whinny of a SORA coming from the eastern side of

[Ontbirds] Mer Bleue

My wife Melanie and I spent the evening at Mer Bleue. Overall it was quiet, but highlights included a singing BALTIMORE ORIOLE near the parking lot and a single male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT near the northern portion of the boardwalk. We heard a HERMIT THRUSH singing in the distance, spotted two N

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Sedge Wren, Whip-poor-will

I returned to Richmond fen last night between 10:30pm and 1:30am. Upon my arrival I could easily hear three WHIP-POOR-WILLS calling from Marlborough Forest - one seemed to be close to the end of Kettles Road, but it stopped calling shortly thereafter and was not located. About four AMERICAN W

[Ontbirds] Richmond Fen & Chaffeys Locks

I spent a very productive morning with Jeff Skevington at Richmond fen. We arrived at 4:15am to a chorus of about 8 AMERICAN WOODCOCKS (one of which refused to land in the same place after its courtship flight, making it frustrating to locate in the dark). On the way into the fen we heard a v

[Ontbirds] OFNC Outing Results - Ottawa West

The OFNC hosted an outing focusing on migrants from Britannia Conservation Area to Constance Bay, led by Jeff Skevington. Britannia was fairly active with multitudes of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, vocal RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, TREE, BARN, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS skimming the surface of M

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Spring Migrants

I took a tour of the Ottawa region, visiting several "hotspots" throughout the area. Near the Airport I relocated the WILSON'S SNIPE I reported last night. In the same vicinity were two KILLDEER. The E. MEADOWLARK was heard again from High Road, and I am pleased to report that four SAVANNAH

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - E. Meadowlark, E. Bluebird, Wilson's Snipe

This evening my wife Melanie and I took a walk along Earl Armstrong and High Roads near the Ottawa Int'l Airport. The first EASTERN MEADOWLARK we've seen this season was singing its heart out in the fields north of High Road. Two EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were also present, a male and a female are di

[Ontbirds] Waterfowl & Rusty Blackbirds - Richmond

Greetings ONTBirders: I was unable to find the ROSS'S GOOSE reported earlier by Michael Tate at the Richmond Lagoons, but present were a pair of NORTHERN SHOVELERS, a male GADWALL, approximately six GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and a flock of eight RING-NECKED DUCKS. It the wooded fields to the sout

[Ontbirds] Hoary Redpolls, B-H Cowbirds - Ottawa

I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather. A handful of redpolls are "toughing it out" at the Hilda Road feeders; this afternoon there were about seven, with two HOARY REDPOLLS and a "rostrata" or "greater" common redpoll in the mix. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, numbering at least fifteen or m

[Ontbirds] Barrow's Goldeneye, N. Pintail, Glaucous & Iceland Gulls - Ottawa

Greetings ONTBirders: This evening my wife and I visited the Hurdman area to check up on the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, which is still in its regular location near the Hurdman footbridge. Along the riverside male RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS can be heard staking out their territory for the imminent

[Ontbirds] Orange-variant House Finch - Ottawa

Hi ONTBirders: Nothing much new is happening on the local scene, but of interest today was a male ORANGE-VARIANT HOUSE FINCH at the Fletcher Wildlife Gardens. He was observed by my wife and I at the Backyard Garden behind Bldg. 138. Three DARK-EYED JUNCOS ("slate-coloured" subspecies) wer

[Ontbirds] Predators at Fletcher - Ottawa

Hi ONTBirders: There was some light predator activity at Fletcher Wildlife Garden this afternoon. A male NORTHERN SHRIKE patrolled the feeder in the Backyard Garden but did not successfully catch anything while I was there thanks to the alarm calls of the chickadees present. On my way out,

[Ontbirds] Amherst Island Supplemental

Greetings ONTBirders: Supplemental to Marc's Amherst Island report for Thurs. Feb. 5 - after my lunch break, I discovered two more NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS in the jack pine plantation, bringing the day's tally to three. I did not have any luck locating the BARRED OWL, but did locate a fresh ki

[Ontbirds] Crossbills - Ottawa

Hi ONTBirders: I spent an hour at Fletcher Wildlife Garden at around noon. A rather tame WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was present at the feeders in the Backyard Garden (behind Bldg. #138) along with a few of the usual suspects. At the ash lot feeder, a pair of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were activel

[Ontbirds] Winter Finches - Ottawa West

Hi ONTBirders: My wife and I braved the bitter cold to check out a couple productive locations in the west end of Ottawa. At Shirley's Bay the feeding station was once again dominated by PINE SISKINS, but up to five COMMON REDPOLLS were also present, as well as two male and one oddly brownis

[Ontbirds] Ottawa - Barrow's Goldeneye

Hello ONTBirders: The male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE is still present on the small unfrozen portion of the Rideau River near the Rideau Tennis Club. Today it was present in the patch of water near the 417 bridge at around 8am this morning, and again at 5pm. Otherwise the open water was dominated b

[Ontbirds] Winter Finches & Sparrows - Ottawa Region

Hello ONTBirders: I braved the cold weather in the Ste. Rose area, where I found one LAPLAND LONGSPUR, seven HORNED LARKS, and a minimum of 150+ SNOW BUNTINGS, mainly concentrated on Concession 20 east of the Ste. Rose intersection. One juvenile, darkly streaked SNOWY OWL was present near Co

[Ontbirds] Winter Finches - Ottawa

Hello ONTBirders: I birded a couple of places across the Ottawa region, starting in Kanata. On Gourlay Lane I spotted 14 PINE SISKINS and 8 COMMON REDPOLLS. No sign of the red-shouldered hawk that traditionally overwinters there and was reported earlier this week. The NORTHERN HAWK-OWL ma

[Ontbirds] Glaucous Gulls - Ottawa

Hello and Happy New Year 2009! I wanted to follow up on my report yesterday. At 8am this morning there were four GLAUCOUS GULLS (2 adults and two very white juveniles) along with 40+ GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS at the roost on the Rideau River near Billings Bridge. As I was driving in the sky

[Ontbirds] Crossbills & Grosbeaks - Ottawa

Hello ONTBirders: At the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, my wife and I discovered approximately 30 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS at the tall pines near the feeder at the ash woodlot. The crossbills were feasting on the abundant cones surrounding the feeder. Seven HOUSE FINCHES, a pair of NORTHERN CARDI

[Ontbirds] Glaucous Gull - Ottawa

Good morning ONTBirders: I located a single adult GLAUCOUS GULL in a roost of approximately 25 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS near the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre. I have noticed the B-B gulls roosting there for about two weeks, but I haven't checked the roost for other gulls until today. The

  1   2   >