Hi Ontbirds people, Mild temps, beautiful skies, great fall colours, and SE/SW winds made for a pleasant day for people to get out of doors...and the birds seemed to enjoy it too! Brief visits this morning (9:00 - noon) to various points along the Ottawa River (Shirley's Bay, Andrew Haydon Park, Mud Lake in the Britannia Conservation Area and "Britannia Point" by the Britannia water filtration plant) revealed nothing unusual, but some nice "par for the course" birds:
14 species of waterfowl including a tight flock of 50-60 Brant on the river off Andrew Haydon among increasing numbers of Canada Geese; impressive numbers of Woods Ducks, American Wigeon and Ring-necked Ducks on Mud Lake and a pair (male & female) of Redhead that have been present with the Ring-necks for a few days; several Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal at Shirley's Bay and Andrew Haydon; Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye and 4 Surf Scoters at Shirley's Bay. Also scattered along the river were all 3 species of Merganser and several Horned and Red-necked Grebes. A few Great Egrets continue to hang out at Shirley's Bay west of the causeway....getting late for this species in Ottawa, but no surprise considering the "easy" weather. Interesting perspective-- - just 10 years ago, this species was still considered "rare" in Ottawa. Now birders go out & say "only a few egrets today?" Fantastic that this species has been so successful, and that the first Ottawa-area breeding record was confirmed this year! Other than water-birds - the sparrow movement continues, esp. White-throated & White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos...and Fox Sparrows have begun to move through too - right on time! DIRECTIONS (from downtown Ottawa): Shirley's Bay: Hwy 417 (aka "The Queensway") west to Moodie Dr. exit #134. North on Moodie to Carling Ave. West on Carling to Rifle Rd. North on Rifle Rd. to the public boat launch. Those wishing to walk out on to the causeway -- please contact DND Range Control (613-991-5740) for permission, as access to the causeway is on DND property. Andrew Haydon Park: Hwy 417 west to Holly Acres Rd. exit #132. North on Holly Acres to Carling Ave. The west end access to Andrew Haydon Park is straight ahead, then folow the driveway west. The east end access is just east along Carling (sign says "Andrew Haydon Park Water Playground"). Britannia (Conservation Area, Mud Lake & "Britannia Point"): Hwy 417 west to Pinecrest Rd. exit #129. North on Pinecrest to Richmond Rd. East on Richmond to Poulin St. North on Poulin & west around the bend onto Howe St. then north on Britannia Rd. to where it ends at Cassels St. East on Cassels to Mud Lake....and father east to "Britannia Point". Enjoy the season! Chris Lewis Ottawa, ON [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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/
