The April 3rd (Sunday) OFO field trip for spring migration waterfowl on
migration was very successful given the almost complete lack of flooding east
of Ottawa. Twenty five hardy souls (in 12 cars) coped with the early start and
braved the cold winds.
The highlights were four Geese species; Canada, Cackling, Snow and Greater
White-fronted. Gray Partridge and a Redhead Duck were also seen.
We started off at the Petrie Island causeway, which is usually good for
waterfowl but, given the late winter we have had, was frozen solid. Not good
for waterfowl! Milton road had lots of Canada Geese and several flocks of
Greater Snow Geese. We were able to locate at least two Sandhill Cranes but
they were extremely distant and only visible when they stopped feeding to lift
their heads. At the Shaws Creek bridge on Frank Kenny we heard Snow Buntings,
some people saw a pair of Gray Partridge (great spotting Colin) and one person
saw a Pied-billed Grebe. The Cobb's Creek lowlands east of Bourget had
virtually no flooding so, other than Pintails, ducks were hard to come by. We
were able to find one male Redhead Duck and a Wood Duck among the Canada Geese
and a few Mallards and Black Ducks. We had a Northern Harrier and flocks of
Snow Geese overhead. We found an elusive Cackling Goose then were were
delighted when a Greater White-fronted Goose flew in with some Canada's and
landed within scope view. We made a stop at the east end of Larose forest and
managed to see one of the Evening Grosbeaks that were calling in the area. We
had nothing other than Canada Geese on the South Nation river after a visit to
the St. Albert cheese outlet.
We had a total of 45 species, including an early Great-blue Heron, Ring-necked
Ducks and Common Merganser. We also saw Red-tailed hawk, Kestrel and Turkey
Vulture.
Thanks to all who attended and special thanks to Bernie, Colin, Kim and Jack
who helped make this outing successful.
Bob
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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
