Ottawa area, Oct. 9 & 10
Oct 13, 2020 19:27:03 GMT -8
oldfulica, imperialbirders, and 1 more like this
Post by kestrel on Oct 13, 2020 19:27:03 GMT -8
Last Friday, I joined a guided excursion around Renfrew County, west of Ottawa. The weather was cool but nice. Our first stop was the Pembroke Marina, where we had a super-cooperative Ruffed grouse as well as a (heard only) Common redpoll.
Ruffed grouse by Joel Schmidt, on Flickr
Next, we went to a couple of spots along Lake Dore. Here, we saw Common terns (lifer for me) and a Red-throated loon. Lunch was had a spectacular lookout. Afterward, we spent the rest of the day driving down country roads to see what else we could find. Highlights here included a small flock of Eastern bluebirds, and a huge flock of Sandhill cranes. In addition to leisurely views of the cranes foraging, we even got to see some courtship dancing.
Sandhill Cranes by Joel Schmidt, on Flickr
ebird.org/checklist/S74652386
ebird.org/checklist/S74652422
ebird.org/checklist/S74652519
ebird.org/checklist/S74652534
The next outing was along the Ottawa River, much closer to the city. We first went to a place called Shirley's Bay, where we had some late Field sparrows and a fly-over Rusty blackbird. We also saw a good a variety of species at some bird feeders, along a nearby backroad.
A White-throated sparrow near the feeders:
White-throated sparrow by Joel Schmidt, on Flickr
ebird.org/checklist/S74652587
We then went over to Andrew Haydon Park, where a huge surprise awaited us. No sooner had the guide asked me if there were any North American goose species that I hadn't seen yet, than he notices an approaching Canada goose flock with a smaller goose among them. Upon looking at them through his bins, he excitedly calls out "Barnacle goose!". Immediately, the whole group hurried over to where the flock had landed. We enjoyed amazing views of this European rarity, and it wasn't long before a small crowd of other birders arrived.
Barnacle goose with Canada goose by Joel Schmidt, on Flickr
ebird.org/checklist/S74652728
Overall, the outings on both days were fantastic. I got 4 lifers: Common tern, Rusty blackbird, Field sparrow, and Barnacle goose.
In case anyone is curious, here's the website for the company that I went with:
eontbird.ca/
Ruffed grouse by Joel Schmidt, on FlickrNext, we went to a couple of spots along Lake Dore. Here, we saw Common terns (lifer for me) and a Red-throated loon. Lunch was had a spectacular lookout. Afterward, we spent the rest of the day driving down country roads to see what else we could find. Highlights here included a small flock of Eastern bluebirds, and a huge flock of Sandhill cranes. In addition to leisurely views of the cranes foraging, we even got to see some courtship dancing.
Sandhill Cranes by Joel Schmidt, on Flickrebird.org/checklist/S74652386
ebird.org/checklist/S74652422
ebird.org/checklist/S74652519
ebird.org/checklist/S74652534
The next outing was along the Ottawa River, much closer to the city. We first went to a place called Shirley's Bay, where we had some late Field sparrows and a fly-over Rusty blackbird. We also saw a good a variety of species at some bird feeders, along a nearby backroad.
A White-throated sparrow near the feeders:
White-throated sparrow by Joel Schmidt, on Flickrebird.org/checklist/S74652587
We then went over to Andrew Haydon Park, where a huge surprise awaited us. No sooner had the guide asked me if there were any North American goose species that I hadn't seen yet, than he notices an approaching Canada goose flock with a smaller goose among them. Upon looking at them through his bins, he excitedly calls out "Barnacle goose!". Immediately, the whole group hurried over to where the flock had landed. We enjoyed amazing views of this European rarity, and it wasn't long before a small crowd of other birders arrived.
Barnacle goose with Canada goose by Joel Schmidt, on Flickrebird.org/checklist/S74652728
Overall, the outings on both days were fantastic. I got 4 lifers: Common tern, Rusty blackbird, Field sparrow, and Barnacle goose.
In case anyone is curious, here's the website for the company that I went with:
eontbird.ca/
