Hello Ontbirders
Today, March 30, 2004 I spent the morning birding south and east of
Ottawa checking flooded fields for migrating waterfowl. Overall it was
very productive with the largest concentration in the Cobbs Lake
Creek/Pendleton/Riceville flood plains. Highlights included 1,350 Snow
Geese, 20,000 Canada Geese, 4,500 Northern Pintail and smaller numbers
of Mallards, Black and Green-winged Teal. At Cobbs Lake Creek 150
Ring-necked Ducks were resting on the recently formed lake. Birds of
prey included numerous Turkey Vultures, 16 Rough-legged Hawks and only 2
American Kestrel. There were still 2 Snowy Owls near Ste. Rose and large
flocks of Horned Lark, Snow Bunting and a flock of 22 Lapland Longspur
were observed. Other migrants included Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow and
Northern Flicker.
Also, 3 Sandhill Cranes flew over Hwy. 417 near the Limoges exit,
flying north west.
good birding
Bruce
Bruce Di Labio
400 Donald B. Munro Drive
P.O.Box 538
Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0
(613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/
Directions: Snowy Owl: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 east pass Casselman to
exit 58 and proceed north on
Cty Rd 8 for about 1 km until you come to Concession 20. Turn right on
Concession 20 and drive eastward to Ste. Rose Rd. and turn left. Check
the fields and fence posts.
Waterfowl: To get to Cobbs Lake from Ottawa, travel east on Highway 417
to Boundary Road (exit #96) and turn left (north) toward Carlsbad
Springs. At the "T" junction of Boundary Road and Russell Road (Route
26), turn right (east) on Russell and continue until you come to Bourget
(approximately 25 km). In Bourget, there is a 4-way stop sign. Go
straight and, a couple of km further along, the road goes through a
spring flood plain; this is the Cobbs Lake Creek area.
Riceville area can be located by traveling east of Ottawa on Hwy.
417 to exit 51, (St.Isidore) and follow CR 9 north to the Riceville
flood plains. An Eastern Ontario MAPART Map is very helpful!
If you require any additional information please email me privately.
