The Hawk Owl is still up near Low, Quebec. Went to see it this past Sunday.
I have been up there several times now and it can often be seen not far from
the road (McDonald and Legault) perched in a tall tree. It seems to be
easier to find the Hawk Owl these days than when it was first reported.
There are two Snowy Owls in the east end of Ottawa on Fench Hill road
between Frank Kenny and O'Toole. One has darker plumage than the other. A
Snowy Owl has been seen here regularly since December 2006. Just look in
the fields on the right as you drive along French Hill road toward O'Toole
after turning onto French Hill from Frank Kenny. Early morning and late
afternoon seem to be best times.
I have searched for the March Valley Road Great Gray Owl several times but
have not located it.
Snowy Owl.
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/74274032
Hawk Owl
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/73924698
W.H.
Ottawa, Ontario.
Directions.
First to French Hill and Frank Kenney Snowy owls.
Take 417 east and then 174 toward Orleans. Continue until Trim Road and
turn right on Trim. Drive up Trim until Innes. Turn right on Innes and
then right on Frank Kenny. Drive along Frank Kenny until you come to French
Hill (can only turn left on French Hill). Drive along French Hill down to
O'Toole and look at the fields on the right. The Snowies are sometimes
perched in the trees along the road or sitting down on the ground or perched
on the posts in the fields.
Second, to Low, Quebec.
I'll give you the condensed directions first (from an earlier Ontbirds
post).
Directions to Hawk Owl in Low, Quebec (words in brackets mine and also after
the main quote).
"Directions: Hwy 5 [NORTH..look for signs to Maniwaki] and 105 north from
Hull to Brennan's Hill - look for BH [Brennan Hill] restaurant on left and
turn left there onto McDonald. Continue 8 km to open field just past Legault
[a private lane but owners friendly but prefer people ask permission first]
on right side of road."
Here is my more detailed directions:
If you can find the Parliament Buildings in downtown Ottawa then that's a
good place to start. The Parliament Buildings are located on Wellington
street. On Wellington, head left of the Parliament Buildings to get to the
first bridge that takes you over to the Quebec side. I believe it is the
Portage bridge. Turn onto this bridge (right) and cross over it. Keep in the
left lane on the bridge and at the lights turn left onto Laurier. Laurier
street becomes Alexandre Tache after the second intersection, Eddy street,
but you're still on the same road.
At the third intersection, Montcalm, turn right and continue on Montcalm for
a short time until you cross over a small bridge. You'll see an Ultramar gas
station on the right and a Shell gas station on the left just before the
bridge. Right after the bridge is the entrance for the hwy on your right.
Get on this hwy and look for signs to hwy 5 (direction Maniwaki). The
turn-off for hwy 5 NORTH Maniwaki is not too far from where you got on the
hwy so keep an eye out for it.
Just keep looking for signs to Maniwaki (keep this name in mind) once on hwy
5 NORTH (and not the directions to Montreal or Gatineau). And then
eventually on hwy 105 NORTH.
Just remember to turn left at the police station at the bottom of the hill
(traffic lights here) on hwy 105 to continue on hwy 105 NORTH.
After a bit of a drive along hwy 105 which is quite scenic you'll eventually
see a green coloured steel bridge on your right as you get closer to
Brennan's Hill. Keep going and you'll eventually come to the Brennan Hill
restaurant on your left.
At the corner of the Brennan Hill restaurant is an almost not visible road
on your left and you may miss it...looks just like a dirt road in
winter...this is McDonald, the road that will take you finally to where the
Hawk Owl is located (an 8 km drive) right at the corner of McDonald and
Legault. Legault is a private lane. The 8 kilometer drive on McDonald is a
slow one because it is a narrow two lane road with a few twists and turns
along with some ups and downs. Drive slowly AND stay in your lane as the
road is narrow.
