Hi Everyone The southbound shorebird migration continues at its regular pace with a slow but steady increase in numbers. Over the past few days Ben and I have birded a number of locations along the Ottawa River between Britannia and Shirley’s Bay. With water levels continuing to drop there is good habitat but the numbers have been low. Today we saw our first juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs at Shirley’s Bay. Other birds of interest included 14 Great Egret (one banded 61J) , a family of Virginia Rails, one juvenile Bald Eagle at nest site, one Caspian Tern, one adult Bonaparte’s Gull and a male Redhead. Interestingly over the past three days there has been over 150+ shorebirds at Almonte Sewage Lagoon. No rarities but one adult Short-billed Dowitcher on July 25 and on July 26, 57 Lesser Yellowlegs, 31 Killdeer, 7 Wilson’s Snipe, 6 Solitary Sandpiper, 4 Pectoral Sandpiper, 4 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 64 Least Sandpiper and 2 Semipalmated Plover. All adults except for the Killdeers.
Good birding, Bruce and Ben 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 causeway. There is lots of POISON IVY along the causeway. **** PLEASE NOTE**** YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE RANGE CONTROL OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING THE SHIRLEY'S BAY AREA-- Call (613) 991-5740 and request permission to visit the causeway area for birding. Directions: Almonte Sewage Lagoon: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 155 (March Road or Regional Road 49). Turn left onto March Road and follow it for 16 km through Almonte. After passing the lagoons on your right turn right on Ramsay Concession 8. Watch for a small entrance sign opposite the cemetery. From there, follow the trail along the edge of the field to the viewing platform. Bruce Di Labio P.O. Box 538 Carp, Ontario 613-715-2571 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
