Hello ONTBirders, I checked out the Moodie Drive quarry pond at around noon. There were generous numbers of GREATER SCAUP and RUDDY DUCKS fairly close to shore. A single male RING-NECKED DUCK was also present, as well as about forty HOODED MERGANSERS (males and females). Later on I checked out the Ottawa River at Andrew Haydon Park. High winds and rough waters kept most of the waterfowl away - there were no rafts of ducks anywhere to be seen. A handful of MALLARDS and seven GREEN-WINGED TEALS occupied the shoreline of the river. In the ponds there were the typical female RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, about four of them. A surprise was a single female GREATER SCAUP taking a nap among a flock of mallards near the bandstand island at the park. She was fairly accommodating and allowed for some great viewing on an otherwise lackluster day. She was still present with the mallards at 3:45pm when I left. Unfortunately, no sign of GLAUCOUS or ICELAND GULLS on either of the two spits on the eastern end of the park. Good birding! Pat DIRECTIONS (courtesy NeilyWorld): Moodie Drive Quarry Ponds: From Highway 416 take exit 66 (Fallowfield Road). If southbound, a 0.4 km offramp dumps onto Fallowfield, where you will turn right or west. If northbound, the 0.4 km offramp brings you to Fallowfield, where you will turn left or west onto it and in 0.5 km join the southbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Fallowfield Road west for an additional 0.4 km to reach Moodie Drive. Turn left or southeast onto Moodie Drive and go 5.3 km, passing Cambrian Road to reach the quarries (second gate on the left). Park along the side of the road without blocking the access. Andrew Haydon Park: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 129 (Greenbank & Pinecrest Roads). If travelling west, the 0.3 km offramp dumps you right or north onto Pinecrest Road. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings you to Pinecrest/Greenbank Road, where you will turn left or north onto Pinecrest Road and in 0.4 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Pinecrest Road north 1.0 km from here to Carling Avenue. Turn left or west on Carling and go 2.0 km to the turnoff for the parking lot for Andrew Haydon Park on the right or north. Turn right into the lot. _________________________________________________________________
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