Scugog - Lakeridge and Reach St. - Bohemians seem to be moving back into the area after an absence of several weeks (3 were here this morning) - likely birds returning from their sojourn eastward earlier on the winter. Chickadees are in full song and the Dowies are drumming - nice signs of spring.
Ottawa - for those who might want to venture eastward, we went yesterday and saw the key birds - took some work and it was a bit chilly but fruitful. Barrow's at Hurdman Bridge, Gray Partridge at Geroux Rd, Black-backed Woodpecker at Lime Kiln Trail off Moodie and Great Gray at Rockcliffe Park. The latter was understandably surrounded by photographers who were generally staying well back except for one individual who pushed the bird so hard it was clearly distressed and left the immediate area shortly thereafter. Congratulations and thanks to all who "behaved". Two other owls had moved into the woods by the time we got there. Directions: GGOW - From the west end or downtown Ottawa, go east on the Queensway and take the left fork toward Orleans. Exit at the Montreal Road exit. Turn right at St Joseph Blvd. Continue along St Joseph Blvd. until you come to the lights where you turn left onto the Rockcliffe Parkway (at this intersection on St Joseph Blvd., the Rockcliffe Parkway is on the left and Bearbrook Road is to the right). Continue along the Rockcliffe Parkway. The first bridge you cross is the one going over the highway. Continue quite a ways along and the second bridge you see is the one that crosses over Green's Creek. The owls are located in the field on the left side of that bridge. It is public NCC park land so open to all. However, do not park alongside the road there or you may get ticketed. Instead, drive 1 kilometer past that spot and park at parking lot P8 on your left. Then walk back to the bridge. Barrow's: From Hwy 417 going east take Vanier Parkway exit and turn north. Follow to Donald St. and continue to Rideau Tennis Club. check open water to Hurdman's Bridge which is south of tennis club. You can follow North River Road south towards bridge and park, this will save you time. Gray Partridge - Take Hwy 417 east to split and keep left and continue east along 174 to Trim road. turn right and follow to Innes road and turn left and follow to Frank Kenny Rd. Turn right and watch for Giroux Rd. and turn left . Watch for partridge feeding in the corn strips. Black-backed Woodpecker - From Hwy 417 take Moodie Drive exit south. Follow to hunt Club Rd. and continue south watching for Lime Kiln Trail on your right. The BBWO's have been observed along trial and in the burn area beyond the Lime Kiln - we found it in the northwest part of the burn area. Geoff Carpentier www.avocetnatureservices.com _______________________________________________ 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/
