OFO Trip: May 29, 2011, Ottawa (until Noon) There were 17 participants on our exploration of some of Ottawa's prime west end birding spots. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't prime: it was both not very good and not bad enough.
The first stop was along the Carp Ridge to look for Golden-winged Warbler and Eastern Towhee. On the way we had three Turkey Vultures feeding on the side of the road. We failed to get the warbler but the towhee made up for it, singing for several minutes at the top of pine for all to view through the scope. Then it was off to Torbolton Ridge Road for Sedge Wren. It was right in the open when we arrived. Unfortunately, not everyone arrived in time for that great view; however, most of us were able to get several very quick looks as it tantalized us for about 20 minutes. Actually, the best view of it was probably a photo of it in flight taken by one of our group. Also present were a very vocal Virginia Rail, a Wilson's Warbler, a Black-billed Cuckoo, and two cooperative Wilson's Snipe. It was off to Constance Bay to search for the two "red" woodpeckers. On the way we had Northern Harrier and American Kestrel. The showers were supposed to end by 10 a.m., but that was when the rain really started, putting a damper on our woodpecker search. We switched strategies and checked a few spots along the Ottawa River. We had five Common loons at four different spots, including Britannia, which also had a Common Tern and several Bonaparte's Gulls. Two distant terns refused to fly - one was sitting where an Arctic Tern had been sitting the day before. Overall, despite our mixed luck, it was an enjoyable morning with about 80 species observed. Bernie Ladouceur _______________________________________________ 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/
