Hello Ontbirders, This afternoon I drove various backroads between the Ontario/Quebec border and the east side of Ottawa, looking for Snow Geese and other spring migrants. Areas covered include Alfred, Riceville, Bourget, and Carlsbad Springs. I admit I was surprised at the extent of flooding, considering the early thaw this year and relatively little snow since. For those familiar with the area, Johnston Road (Bourget) is above water for only a few metres off the main highway.
Snow Geese: Very few ... around 20 in a dry field ~10 km east of Alfred, along Hwy 17. Another 4 on the south side of Cty Rd 2 east of Bourget. Canada Geese: 15,000+. Largest concentrations were on either side of Cty Rd 9 just south of the South Nation River, and in the floodplains of Cobbs Lake Creek east of Bourget. Northern Pintail: ~100. Mostly along Milton Road north of Carlsbad Springs, and east of Bourget. Much smaller numbers of Black Duck, Mallard, Green-winged Teal. Other highlights: 2 Meadowlarks at Hwy 417 and Walkley Road, a Wilson's Snipe flying over Hwy 417 at exit 58, and a noticeable influx of Killdeer, Turkey Vultures, Common Grackles, and Red-winged Blackbirds throughout. Please e-mail me privately for directions more detailed than the road names and locations specified above. Good birding, Marcel Gahbauer Ottawa / Montreal [EMAIL PROTECTED]
