With the extremely high water levels and flooding this year, the big question was how much of the Lac Deschênes IBA were we going to be able to access. Nine participants showed up to find out and were rewarded with trip that found about 88 species, including 20 species of warbler.
We started at Constance Creek. Among the birds we found were 3 Trumpeter Swans, a calling American Bittern, a Black Tern and 4 Common Terns. We drove south on Thomas Dolan Parkway, just outside the IBA. We had a Sora at Casey Lake marsh and then made a few stops on the Carp Ridge. Highlights included 2 male Golden-winged Warblers, 4 Eastern Towhees, Black-billed Cuckoo, Virginia Rail, and a Solitary Sandpiper; and the Trumpeter Swans that had left Constance Creek while we were there circled over us a few times while we were on the Carp Ridge. We were debating whether to try and sneak into Britannia (it was officially out of bounds due to the high water levels) but then we received a report of a Vermillion Flycatcher on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River (but still within the IBA). We decided to go for it. In the end, the report of the flycatcher was dubious, but we did find an excellent pocket of warblers in the woods adjacent to Parc Brébeuf, including excellent views of Northern Parula, Canada and Black-throated Blue Warblers. A fine half day birding despite not being able to visit some of our usual locations. Thanks to the participants, and especially to Bob Cermak who assisted me in leading this field trip. Bernie Ladouceur _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
