Greetings Ontbirds people,
While participating in the annual Ottawa-Gatineau Fall Bird Count today
(Oct. 18) we had quite a quite unexpected & pleasant surprise at the St.
Albert sewage lagoons SE of Ottawa......
An unprecedented flight of American Golden Plovers for Eastern Ontario was
observed between 14:45 and 16:00. Two flocks of approx. 70 and 150
individuals per flock were augmented by smaller groups (interestingly
enough, all arriving from the south) until one large flock was formed,
totaling in excess of 300. The birds appeared restless ("zugunruhe"),
flying frequently but eventually settling & feeding in a ploughed field
immediately north of the NE cell of the lagoons.
Among this amazing flock (which incidentally is also LATE for E. Ontario),
were also 1 Black-bellied Plover, 7 Pectoral Sandpipers and 18 Dunlin.
Passerines observed in the same field and adjacent environs included 64
Horned Larks, 68 American Pipits and 20 Lapland Longspurs.
WEATHER: Dull overcast skies all AM with intermittent showers, temp. approx.
+ 6 C. in PM, light NW wind.
DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 417 east from Ottawa to the Limoges / Crysler exit
(#79). Go south on Cty Rd. #5, follow the curve east onto Cty Rd. #7.
Continue east toward St. Albert. Look for a sign on the right (south) side
indicating the St. Albert sewage treatment lagoons, opposite house # 1664.
A gravel drive leads to the gate at the NE entrance to the lagoons.
Good Fall Birding!
Bob Bracken & Chris Lewis
Ottawa
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Christina Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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