Winter Specialties - Ottawa West with Tony Beck

Tuesday Mar 8, 8:00am

This was our first trip with Tony after his long absence on Antarctica trips. There was a large group out today - Bob, Al, Helena (long time no see), a young woman, Deanna, Leena, the lady from Merrickville, a couple from the Quebec side (unidentified), who were new birders, plus Tony, Nina & myself.

We went first to Shirley's Bay to scan the river for eagles. No eagles, but lots of ice fishermen. We hiked around to Hilda feeders where we saw a European Starling, lots of Redpolls, some Blue Jays, a few American Tree Sparrows and American Goldfinches, a White-breasted Nuthatch, a Hairy Woodpecker and a Downy Woodpecker.

We set off to March Valley Road, and stopped around Klondike to scan. Bob spotted an adult Bald Eagle way in the distance and Nina saw a light-morph Rough-legged Hawk and soon after a Northern Shrike. We carried on and Bob spotted a Red-tailed Hawk on the left side. The other cars had passed by, so did not get it. However, Nina spotted two more Red-tailed Hawks sitting together on the right side just a little further along.

We stopped at the Duck Club feeders where we had both nuthatches, Downy and Hairy Woodpecker , and two Common Ravens coming right down the road towards us.

We tuned right onto Riddell, then on to 6th Line Road, where we stopped twice to view Porcupines in trees. We turned down Berry Side Road where we spotted two more Red-tailed Hawks and a small flock of Snow Buntings. We went right on 5th Line Road then left on Thomas Dolan to stop for coffee and a bagel at Heart & Soul Café.

After our break, we headed for Constance Bay but stopped to see another Red-tailed Hawk at the entrance to the village.

 I guided the group to Goddin Street to the marvellous feeders there. The Red-bellied Woodpecker did not show up (again), but we saw a Pileated Woodpecker, many Common Redpolls, some Blue Jays and a Mourning Dove.