Hello Ontbirds people,
Several birders followed up on Jeff & Richard Skevington's nice discoveries
at Constance Bay yesterday. Today between approx. 8:30 and 10:00 AM, we (Bob
Bracken, Bob Cermak, Bernie Ladouceur, Chris Lewis, Paul Mirsky, Remy
Poulin, Mike Tate, Kim Zbitnew & others) saw at least 11 NELSON'S SPARROWS
in the cordgrass and willows by the mouth of Constance Creek, also many Song
Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Common Yellowthroat....who knows how many
birds are hiding in this extensive riparian vegetation??!!! No idea how many
people arrived after our visit, but while we were there, the human presence
was mercifully not overwhelming or obtrusive.
In addition to the sparrows, quite a few shorebirds were still on the beach
or flying around at this location. This morning we observed (all juveniles)
3 Black-bellied Plovers, several Lesser Yellowlegs, approx. 20 White-rumped
Sandpipers, 3 Pectoral Sandpipers, 1 Hudsonian Godwit, 1 Long-billed
Dowitcher and a Wilson's Snipe.
An entirely different mix of species & numbers will surely continue to be
seen here and at other locations that attract migrants at this dynamic time
of year.
Hope everyone is enjoying the "bonus" weather & the birds this Thanksgiving
weekend!
Chris Lewis
Ottawa, ON
[email protected]
DIRECTIONS (courtesy of Jeff Skevington):
Nelson's Sparrows at the mouth of Constance Creek: Go to the east end of
Baillie where it turns into Allbirch Road. Continue east to the dead end.
Park out of the way of everyone's driveway and walk the fire trail due east
(off the south side of the road) to Constance Creek. Then either walk north
up the shoreline or through the Silver Maple swamp to the area of reeds and
grasses at the river mouth. The birds are all through this area and were
easy to see using quiet pishing. Note that the fire access roads are public
access but landowners do not always see it that way. I have not had any
issues though.
(NOTE from Chris Lewis on 09 October - we also did not encounter any
problems today, just a few residents enjoying the wonderful weather.....but
respectful & unobtrusive behaviour towards wildlife, people & property
should always be policy. To bad it doesn't always happen that way).
Shorebirds: The best access point to start at is the fire access at the
intersection of Sand Bay Street and Baillie Avenue. To get there, follow
Constance Bay Drive in from Dunrobin Road. Turn right on Baillie just past
the liquor store. Sand Bay is about 400 m east. There is another good access
point just past the liquor store where Constance Bay Drive turns left at 90
degrees. Another fire road about 400 m further west along Constance Bay
drive also gives good views.
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Send bird reports to [email protected]
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