The Western Grebe reported yesterday by Jean Dubois remained this morning (ca. 9:00am - ) on the Ottawa River, between the Champlain Bridge and the Deschenes Rapids. It has for the most part favoured the Quebec shore, so most visible at the river vantage across from Ch. Rivermead and from the boat launch just below the Deschenes Rapids.
Chances are that the Western Grebe is from time to time visible from Britannia Point (below the filtration plant) and perhaps from the Deschenes Lookout off the parkway. -- Nick von Maltzahn ***************** Directions: for the Rivermead vantage, cross Champlain Bridge into Quebec, take first left at lights onto Lucerne, keep your eyes peeled for the Rivermead sign, pull into the pull-off area on the river side of the road. Follow the bike path to the west before turning left to the observation spot. Or also (courtesy of NeilyWorld): From Boulevard des Allumettières or Highway 148, take the Chemin Vanier exit. Turn left or south onto Vanier and go 0.3 km to Chemin McConnell. Turn left or east on McConnell and proceed 1.1 km to Chemin Rivermead. Turn right and follow Rivermead south for 2.3 km to Boulevard de Lucerne. Turn right and go 0.1 km to a pulloff on the left. Turn left into the small parking area, where a blocked off dirt road goes down to the river, to bird the Rivermead area. To Deschenes Lookout (as per Neilyworld): From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 127 (Woodroffe Avenue). If travelling west, the 0.2 km offramp dumps you right or north onto Woodroffe Avenue. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings you to Woodroffe, where you will turn left or north and in 0.4 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Woodroffe Avenue north 0.4 km from here to Lenester Avenue. Turn right or east onto Lenester and go 0.2 km to Fairlawn Avenue. Turn left or north onto Fairlawn and go 0.4 km to Carling Avenue. Go straight north across Carling where Fairlawn becomes Woodroffe Avenue. Follow Woodroffe north for 1.2 km to the Ottawa River Parkway. Turn left or southwest onto the Parkway and go 0.3 km to the turnoff for the Deschênes Rapids Lookout. Turn right or north into the parking lot _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
