Good size flocks of waders continue to move around Lac Deschennes, at noon
there were 17 Hudsonian Godwit at Shirley's Bay, Bruce Dilabio and others have
reported perhaps the same (?) flock at Deschennes. Also at Shirley's Bay were
87 White-rumped Sandpiper, 11 Pectoral, and a dozen or so Dunlin and distant
views of 5 BB Plover (great spot on the part of Chris Lewis!) There were also 6
Snow Geese loafing on the mud flats, and a few pipit.
Mark GawnOttawa, Ontario, Canada
Directions from NeilyWorld: Permission to access the dyke must be obtained by
contacting the DND's Connaught Firing Range Control Office at (613) 991-5740.
This phone is manned 24-7. If the dyke is the primary goal of your day's
birding, it would be wise to call ahead as there are no phones at the boat
launch. Shooting is often in progress and some of the bullets could stray
toward the dyke. Remember they are there because they need the practice. As far
as I know no birders have been winged yet and the DND has enough trouble with
PR that they will do everything they can to avoid it. Please don't enter the
area without permission, and please abide by Range Control's instructions. They
will tell you whether or not walking the dyke is allowed. If they say no, DO
NOT ENTER!, you may be shot (you just never know how good the guy practising
might be), or you may be corralled by the military police (MP's). Disregarding
the DND's safety measures could also jeopardise all birder's access. However,
that being said, it's usually okay to bird from the gate at the base of the
dyke. Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The
Queensway) take exit 134 (Moodie Drive). If travelling west, the 0.4 km offramp
dumps you right or north onto Moodie. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings
you to Moodie Drive, where you will turn left or north onto it and in 0.5 km
join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Moodie Drive
north 1.3 km from here to Carling Avenue. Turn left or northwest on Carling and
go 2.2 km to Rifle (Range) Road. Turn right or north onto Rifle Road and travel
2.0 km to the boat launch parking lot. Park here to visit this site on foot.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
