While driving along Earle Armstrong Road on Saturday, July 16th, I watched
as a Wilson's Snipe was perched on a wood post along the road. This was
around 11am and it was there for a bit before flying away. On a return trip
to Earle Armstrong Road later in that same afternoon (4pm) I observed the
same bird perched on a post for roughly an hour, singing/calling practically
the whole time. On at least two occasion it flew off the post to wade in
the tall grass (looking for food I suppose). This was on Earle Armstrong
Road not too far up from Bowesville (between Bowesville and High Road but
very closerto Bowesville). This is the same section of Earle Armstrong Road
where I have previously observed a Wilson's Snipe a few times in the latter
parts of June 2006 (it could very well be the same bird). On Saturday I
also observed an Eastern Meadowlark on the same road along with a couple of
Eastern Bluebirds perched on wires and Eastern Kingbirds.
Earle Armstrong Road is also a good place to observe Bobolinks, Tree and
Barn Swallows and Eastern Kingbirds (a pair of Kingfishers had been
frequenting the pond near High road a month ago). The section of Earle
Armstrong between Bowesville and High Road has been re-opened for quite some
time now. The section between Bowesville and Limebank I'm not sure about.
There is still a Road Closure sign at the Limebank entrance to the road but
none at the Bowesville section.
Wilson's Snipe from July 16th.
http://www.pbase.com/image/63554115
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/63613046
Directions: From Ottawa South go south along Riverside Drive past Hunt Club
Road. Riverside Drive then becomes River Road. Continue past the Ottawa
airport until you reach Limebank. Turn left on Limebank and continue until
you come to Leitrim. Turn left on Leitrim and continue along Leitrim until
you reach Bowesville. Turn right on Bowesville and continue to Earle
Armstrong Road and then turn left.
W.H.
Ottawa, Ontario.
