Hi Everyone
With the overnight southerly flow of warm air, a number of early
migrants were pushed into the Ottawa region. Despite light rain today,
March 29th, there was plenty of activity along the Ottawa River to keep
birders in the mood. I made two visits along the river, one in the
morning and the other late afternoon. Overall it was exciting with a
number of early birds including 1 Bonaparte's Gull (Remic), 3
White-winged Scoter (Deschenes), 1 Red-necked Grebe (Remic) and 1
Horned Grebe (Deschenes). Other note worthy observations were 1 Female
Harlequin Duck (Remic) , 7 species of gulls including Lesser
Black-backed, Iceland and Glaucous (all Remic).
Landbirds migrants included Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow and
Golden-crowned Kinglet. A pair of Merlins were observed copulating near
Remic Rapids. Other migrants included Snow Goose, Lesser Scaup, Greater
Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, and
Hooded Merganser
.
good birding
Bruce
Bruce Di Labio
400 Donald B.Munro Drive
P.O.Box 538
Carp, Ontario, K0A 1L0
(613) 839-4395
www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio
Directions to Britannia Conservation Area/Deschenes Rapids :
Courtesy of Larry Neily at
http://members.rogers.com/larry.neily/birdguide.htm
From Highway 417(The Queensway) take exit 129 (Greenbank &
Pinecrest Roads).If traveling west, the 0.3 km off ramp dumps
you right or north onto
Pinecrest Road. If driving east, a 0.3 km off ramp brings you to
Pinecrest/Greenbank Road, where you will turn left or north onto
Pinecrest Road and in 0.4 km join the westbound off ramp traffic.
Both groups will now follow Pinecrest Road north 0.8 km from
here to Richmond Road. Turn right or northeast onto Richmond
and go 0.5 km, crossing Carling Avenue, to Poulin Avenue. Turn
left or north onto Poulin and go 0.6 km to where a right only turn
puts you on Howe Street. Follow Howe west 0.2 km to Britannia
Road. Turn right or north onto Britannia Road and proceed 0.8 km
to Cassels Street. The Britannia Yacht Club is directly in front
of
you. Park along Cassels Street. You will have to proceed on foot
through the Yacht Club gate, walk 200 metres east past the
barrier and 150 metres north to the Dechênes Rapids - Ontario.
To view the area below the rapids proceed east along Cassels to
the Y junction and bear left to go behind the filtration plant.
Britannia Point and a good view of the swirling flock can be had
here.
Remic Rapids:
>From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit
122 (Parkdale Avenue). The eastbound exit
ramp comes to a stop sign at Parkdale Avenue
in 0.1 km, while the westbound exit ramp
becomes Westmount Avenue and reaches
Parkdale Avenue in 0.2 km. Turn north onto
Parkdale and proceed 1.7 km to the Ottawa
River Parkway, passing Wellington and Scott
Streets on the way. Pass under the Ottawa River
Parkway. Continue 0.3 km round a 270 degree
righthand turn to join the Ottawa River Parkway.
Continue 0.8 km southwest along the Parkway to
the Remic Rapids Lookout turnoff. Turn right or
northwest into the parking area at Remic
Rapids. If entrance to parking lot is closed, park on weekends in
Tunneys Pasture Government Complex parking lot.
Bruce DiLabio <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
