First a note. The Long Sault Parkway is now closed until the spring, likely sometime in April. The recent cold period with quite cold nights and little or no night winds has brought on a rapid freeze of the river. All bays and shallow areas from Cornwall to west of Ingleside have an ice cover with some areas supporting the weight of coyotes and geese. With a few very cold nights ahead this week, the ice will set well and will extend further into deeper water. The main channel is still open. This is the earliest any of us can remember the river conditions closing in so fast.
There are tens of thousands of Canada Geese in a few zones between Long Sault and Ingleside. Best viewing is on overcast days due to backlight. Most of the puddle ducks are gone as are the divers except for mergs and goldeneye. The area along the causeway at Ault Island west of Ingleside is now frozen so the thousands of divers have moved out. There are three species of swans in the river off the east end of Ault Island. With a scope you can view them from the causeway at Nairne Island in the Upper Canada Sanctuary. Eagles are still regular along the river. There is still open water along cty Rd #2 for now but in a few days much of that may be iced over as well. The area at Hoople Creek is ice covered. Gulls are concentrated at the west end of Cornwall on the river near the dump. Best viewing is from the boat launch in Guindon Park. There should be about 6-7 species in the area. White-winged gulls have started to arrive in small numbers. Brian Morin Cornwall _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
