OFO outing for Varied Thrush, Snowy Owls & Gulls

January 21, 2012

(Text by Dave Britton)

This morning about 20 participants enjoyed some excellent birding east of Ottawa.  The weather was better than expected:  although things began with overcast skies and a raw north wind that created wind chills in the -20's, the skies soon cleared and the wind dropped for very pleasant birding conditions
The day's birding began under overcast skies scanning gulls flocking in the snow-covered fields near the Lafleche Dump, southeast of Casselman.  Amongst the numerous Herring and Great Black-backed gulls, 20+ GLAUCOUS and 3 ICELAND Gulls were found.  
We continued north through the fields in the Ste-Rose area.  On Concessions 20 and 21 we found 4 SNOWY OWLS and 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.  On Concession 20 east of Ste-Rose Road, we had small numbers of SNOW BUNTINGS and HORNED LARKS on a manure spread and a group of 40 LAPLAND LONGSPURS (a very good count for eastern Ontario) feeding on grain screenings in front of some silos.
We continued west and visited #998 Calypso Road, southeast of Limoges.  Within 15 minutes everyone had great looks at the VARIED THRUSH.  Along with the usual common feeder birds, there were also at least two EVENING GROSBEAKS present here.
We finished the trip on the Rideau River behind the Tennis Club, where we were able to easily view the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE amongst the more common wintering ducks.
Thanks to everyone who participated for making this a very enjoyable morning.