Hi Ontbirders,
I drove with Tony Thatcher this morning, 10 February, to the
Casselman/Ste-Rose area where we birded for snowy owls in overcast
conditions with a very light snow fall. About noon we drove over to Lafleche
Road as the sky cleared and the sun came out. We were rewarded about 12:15
when we spotted the gyrfalcon sitting on top of the right-most hydro pole
(no cross bar) towards the right end of the Lafleche landfill berm. It sat
there for the next twenty odd minutes, preening and enjoying the sun. The
views were fabulous as the sun was at right angles to the line of sight and
the air was clear and still. We were joined by four other birders including
the Pooles from Lancaster.
The gyrfalcon then took off and gave a wondeful arial display, circling
several times over the landfill and taking a run at the occasional starling
while flocks of starlings swirled in the air along with many crows. The
gyrfalcon then gradually climbed and flew off in a northerly direction about
12:40.
Happy birding,
Peter Campbell
Ottawa, ON
Directions: From highway 417 east of Casselman, take exit 58 (Highway 138)
south towards Cornwall. Lafleche Road is the first right (south westerly
direction) and it ends at the landfill.
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