Hello Ontbirders, The annual spring flooding in the agricultural fields east of Ottawa has peaked & appears to be receding, but cold temperatures have kept much of the water frozen — most of the waterfowl this weekend were resting on ice! Precipitation forecast (snow and possibly rain by the end of the week) might keep the water levels up….in the meantime….today was spectacular!
Bob Cermak, Bernie Ladouceur, Paul Mirsky, Greg Zbitnew & I estimated approx. 1/4 million SNOW GEESE east of Bourget in the Cobb’s lake Creek floodplain area alone. Flocks of 500 - 4000 were seen elsewhere (Milton Rd., Frank Kenny Rd. at Bear Brook, Boudreau Rd. northeast of Bourget)) and at times the skies were full of Snows. The distance and density of the mega-flock, plus distortion due to haze was prohibitive for spotting Ross’s Geese though it’s very likely one or more was present. The geese were very restless as they often are in spring, and the presence of GOLDEN EAGLES (1 each at Cobb’s Creek and Milton Rd.) and at least 1 BALD EAGLE occasionally kept them stirred up as well. CANADA GOOSE numbers increased after noon — if anyone wanted to count them, good luck! Among the Canada’s along Milton Rd. south of Navan there were 2 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (presumably the same 2 reported yesterday by Mark Gawn) and along Frank Kenny Rd. Paul Mirsky & I found 1 CACKLING GOOSE. 6 of the up-to-9 recently reported TUNDRA SWANS were seen by us among the Canada’s along Milton Rd. 4 SANDHILL CRANES were seen by Bob, Bernie & Greg in the fields along Milton Rd. and along Smith Rd. west off Milton. A total surprise (but perhaps not, considering the recent reports of the species in other areas around Southern Ontario and Ottawa) was a dark morph GYRFALCON that flew over the Cobb’s Creek area heading northwest. Not many duck species in significant numbers yet other than NORTHERN PINTAIL. A smattering of WOOD DUCK, AM. BLACK DUCK, MALLARD & RING-NECKED DUCK. I believe others reported GREEN-WINGED TEAL and AMERICAN WIGEON this weekend, but in very small numbers. DIRECTIONS: Cobb’s Creek floodplain viewing is best from Russell Rd. (Prescott-Russell Cty. Rd. 2 east of Bourget). There are a couple of small pull-off’s at Johnston Rd. and farther along. Milton Rd. runs north off Russell Rd. (Ottawa Cty. Rd. 26 east of Carlsbad Springs). Smith Rd. intersects Milton Rd. towards Navan. Frank Kenny Rd. (Ottawa Cty. Rd. 33) is the next major north-south road east of Milton Rd.. Good “official” 1st of spring birding! Chris Lewis Ottawa, ON _______________________________________________ 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
