Hi Ontbirders:
Based on observations from those who were there today, at least two great gray
owls were seen in the field at the bridge where the Rockcliffe Parkway crosses
over Green's Creek. This location is by far one of the most reliable to see
great gray owls in the Ottawa area. Of course the owls can be seen at various
other locations in and around the city as well including over in Gatineau on
the Quebec side.
I have heard from more than one person who visted the Great Gray Owl location
at the Rockcliffe Parkway at Green's Creek today, that they almost got ticketed
for parking their vehicles off the side of the road. You cannot park along
(even off the side) the Rockclife Parkway. Just drive 1 kilometer past the owl
location and park at NCC parking lot P8. The parking lot is on the same side
of the road as the owls.
Then what most people do is walk back to the owls using the narrow
shoulder/bike path on the edge of the road. Of course you do this at your own
risk and is not a recoomendation....but that's how most people do it including
cyclists and joggers. Some do it facing traffic on the other side of the road.
A second way to get back to the owls after parking at P8 is to cross the road
(Rockcliffe Parkway) and use the snowshoe/ski trail. Walk down the trail and
turn right on the trail and when the trail forks, take the right fork. This
takes you back to the bridge that crosses over Green's Creek on the Rockcliffe
Parkway. Cross the road and into the field on the other side.
A third option is only for those who are adventurous or know the area well, and
that is to walk back to the owl location straight from the parking lot P8 via
"trails" there. But if you do not know the area well, you could end up lost
there.
Photo of a great gray owl taken there.
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/148427359/original
An infomative story about the return of the Great Grey Owls in Tuesday's Ottawa
Citizen newspaper which can also be read online at the following link:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Return+great+grey+owls/7848863/story.html
W. Hum
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/some_recent_shots
Directions:
>From the west end or downtown Ottawa, go east on the Queensway and take the
>left fork toward Orleans. Exit at the Montreal Road exit. Turn right at St
>Joseph Blvd. Continue along St Joseph Blvd. until you come to the lights
>where you turn left onto the Rockcliffe Parkway (at this intersection on St
>Joseph Blvd., the Rockcliffe Parkway is on the left and Bearbrook Road is to
>the right). Continue along the Rockcliffe Parkway. The first bridge you
>cross is the one going over the highway. Continue quite a ways along and the
>second bridge you see is the one that crosses over Green's Creek. The owls
>are located in the field on the left side of that bridge. It is public NCC
>park land so open to all. However, do not park alongside the road there or
>you may get ticketed. Instead, drive 1 kilometer past that spot and park at
>parking lot P8 on your left. Then walk back to the bridge.
>
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