Hello Ontbirders, Richard Waters and I went out for a very productive June day. Starting at 4:30am along the Thomas Dolan Parkway (2km over the ridge) we weren't disappointed to hear Whippoorwill calling vigourously. As well in the area were two Golden-Winged Warblers, Alder & Willow Flycatchers. Slightly further west down the road we had Eastern Towhee. Going back east along Thomas Dolan towards Dunrobin road we stopped in the small marsh area and got a great look at Virginia Rail and Wilson's Snipe. Further along Thomas Dolan where it meets Constance Creek two Osprey were on and around the nest this morning.
We then headed along Dunrobin road to the Bill Mason centre. In the parking area behind were two Black-Billed Cuckoo calling frequently and from the first few steps onto the boardwalk gave us great looks! A Sora was also calling and cooperated visually as well. Uplands Sandpiper was seen in its usual spot further up along Dunrobin road. We went to the traditional Sedge Wren spot on Torbolton Ridge Road and I had heard two faintly on the opposite side of the road from #4108, nearer to the next driveway. Two more Black-Billed Cuckoo were present. One even sitting out on a dead tree. Two American Bittern can still be seen flying around in the tall grass, though it is getting tough. Snipe and Veery are everywhere here too. Indigo Bunting also noted. Richard also saw a Black bear here crossing the road, whilst I was staring off into space and not paying attention. On Vances Side road nearby we had a couple of Wild Turkey as well. At the old burn area of Constance Bay we got the Red-headed Woodpecker in its usual spot cooperating. About 200m further along towards the bay we had Pileated and three YB Sapsucker. The sparrow habitat south of the airport was very fruitful this afternoon. At one point we could here Vesper, Clay Coloured, Grasshopper, Field and Song Sparrows all in the same spot. About 8 Clay-Coloured in the field and 11 Grasshopper (counting as well some along Leitrim road). Eastern Bluebirds were around. Plus 3 House Wren. Finally we decided to go and try and refind the Caspian Tern reported last week at the Moodie Drive quarry ponds (large pond) and had ultimate success. Bob Cermak came along to join us there. While viewing that bird there was an immature Bald Eagle flying overhead and 8 of both Pied-Billed Grebe and Ruddy Duck in the water. Brown Thrasher and Wood Thrush also in the area. Some great days still left to be had for breeding birds! Good birding, Jay Peterson Britannia, Ottawa Directions: >From NeilyWorld: From Ottawa, take Highway 417 west to the Eagleson/March Road >exit (#138). Turn right onto March Road and continue through Kanata and the >village of South March. When you come to the Dunrobin Road, turn right at the >lights and proceed to the village of Dunrobin, where the Thomas A. Dolan >Parkway intersects with Dunrobin Road. Turning RIGHT on the Thomas A. Dolan >Parkway leads to the huge Constance Creek wetland complex. Turning LEFT takes >you along the Carp Ridge. Go straight along Dunrobin to Constance Bay road, >that intersection provides Uplands Sandpiper and you can continue along >Constance bay road to that birding area. In a forest track between Whistler >and Bayview in Constance Bay is a dirt road that will take you through the old >burn area (for Red-Headed Woodpecker). You can park at the Torbolton Forest >sign about .5 km nw of your left hand turn from Richie onto Whistler. If you turn left from Dunrobin to Vances Side road and continue two intersections, you can turn right and follow Torbolton Ridge Road to #4104, most birds were just a little farther north from there. Walking distance. Ottawa airport sparrows can be accessed from a small parking area just south of Leitrim and Bowesville. Moodie Drive quarry ponds from neily World. 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. Birds were seen in the furthest pond south, and the largest. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
