Hello Ontbirders The shorebird watching continues to improve along the Ottawa River at Shirley's Bay. Did a quick check early this afternoon (after a few late morning showers) and observed 12 species of shorebirds. There were around 160+ shorebirds including 6 adult Red Knot in worn breeding plumage which were on the far side of the mudflat, resting. Also present were 3 Stilt Sandpiper, 1 Short-billed Dowitcher, 80+ Semipalmated Sandpiper, 48 Lesser Yellowlegs, 11 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 9 Least Sandpiper, 3 Solitary Sandpiper, 2 Killdeer,8 Spotted Sandpiper, 1 Wilson's Snipe and 2 American Woodcock along the trail. There were 5 Great Egret and 15+ Great Blue Heron feeding in the bay.
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 [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
