Hello Ontbirders, Today, August 2nd, 2010, my son Ben and I observed 13 Caspian Tern along the Shirley's Bay dyke between the first and second island. The main bulk of the birds were resting on exposed rocks to the NE of the second island. Also numerous were flying and feeding around the same general area. 15 Common Tern were also observed within the Shirley's Bay area. At the base of the dyke, we saw 84 juv. Least Sandpiper, 3 juv. Lesser Yellowlegs, and 14 ad. Semipalmated Plover. A dark female Merlin was harassing the shorebirds. And thank you Nicholas von Maltzahn for telling us about the birds out on the dyke.
Good Birding, Bruce and Ben Directions: Shirley's Bay: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to the Moodie Drive exit and turn north (right) on Moodie Drive and continue to Carling Ave. Turn left at Carling Ave. and follow Carling to Rifle Road. Turn right (north) on Rifle Rd. Park at the lot at the end (boat launch). Walk back to the road, and continue through the gate on the Department of National Defense property. There is a trail on your right (clearly marked with vehicle "No Entry" signs) which heads into the woods, and, eventually to the dyke. There is lots of POISON IVY along the dyke. **** PLEASE NOTE**** YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE RANGE CONTROL OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING THE DYKE AREA-- Call (613) 991-5740 and request permission to visit the dyke area for birding. Di Labio Birding Website Courses and Field Trips http://www.dilabiobirding.ca http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O. Box 538 Carp, Ontario K0A 1L0 Office 613-839-4395 Mobile 613-715-2571 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
