Hello Ontbirders An adult male Tufted Duck (with relatively short, but distinctive tuft) was originally reported by Herve Tremblay at approx. 2:00pm today from Shirleys Bay, Ottawa (Nepean). It was relocated this evening by a group of us (Tom Hanrahan, Chris Traynor, Bev Scott, Chris Lewis, Phil Wright and others). The duck was with a small raft of Lesser Scaup on the river side (east) of the Dyke, about half way between the base and Haycock Island.
To get to Shirleys Bay (Coutesy of the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club website): Travel west from Ottawa along Highway 417, exit at Moodie Drive (exit #134), and go north to Carling Avenue. Turn left and follow Carling for approximately 3 km, then turn right onto Range Road. Drive north to the parking lot and boat launch at the end of Range Road. VERY IMPORTANT Shirley's Bay dyke is on Department of National Defence property, and there is often shooting going on at the Connaught Firing Range. Permission to walk on the dyke must be obtained by contacting the Range Control Office at (613) 991-5740. Please do not enter the area without permission, and please abide by Range Control's rules about whether walking on the dyke is allowed. (It is usually okay to birdwatch from the gate at the base of the dyke. If you fail to comply with DND instructions, you will be responsible for denying all birders access to this great birding area and, at the same time, you will be putting yourself in danger. So please comply. Happy Spring & Good Birding Tony Beck 158-B Woodridge Cr., Ottawa, Ont. (613) 828-5936 website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/ "Tony Beck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
