Ottawa Area Birding: Ottawa River and Eastern Fields

October 28, 2021

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

I met the Bowmans at their place and we decided to bird a bit of the Ottawa River. First up, Andrew Haydon Park, hoping to see the Black Scoter, no luck there, but we did Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers, Wood Duck, American Robin and lots of Canada Geese. There were Red-winged Blackbirds singing in the reeds and I looked up at a couple of trees towards the marina, thinking they were European Starlings, but no, all male Red-winged Blackbirds. There were a couple of people looking for the Scoters as well, two announced they were off to Ottawa Beach to see it there. We drove down to Scrivens with the thought that if the Scoter was at Ottawa Beach we could easily see it there. Well, we did not see it. We drove into the parking lot at Ottawa Beach seeing no people there, we decided to go to Shirley's Bay because a White-rumped Sandpiper was being seen there. Yeah the bird had flown off to the dyke 5 minutes earlier. There were about 6 to 8 people there, lots of talking, when Mike T. said bird overhead. It kept on flying, there was a discussion about whether it was a Horned Lark or a Snow Bunting. One person was adamant its song was a Horned Lark. In comes the wanderer and asks Bill what is this bird - a very clear undisputable Snow Bunting. She was questioned and the group then decided the bird was a Snow Bunting.

During this time we all talked about my scope's broken arm - Focus Scientific is no more, call Pelee Wings, call Kowa, maybe Mike T would give you his. Lots of teasing, but they did give me some good suggestions.

Where next, let's go to Casselman to see the Snow Geese, if they are there??? Always a gamble to go so far and be disappointed. On the way we saw a Red-tailed Hawk. Just as we were approaching the off ramp, oh so many Snow Geese in the field near the dump. Happy smiling faces. We went down to Lefleche Road but the geese were too far away, so we tried a construction site just off 138 near the 417, but it was still too far away. Well then lets try Moose Creek, approaching the lagoon we saw Snow Geese, good thing there is a hole in the fence, we can get up closer. The people who manage the lagoon had 'sewn' the hole up with barbed wire. But there were Snow Geese landing in a nearby field, we went to check that out and the geese decided flying was what they wished to do, we did not scare them up since we were not close to the field that they were in. But I have to say it was simply a glorious sight. Barbara took a video of it and has shared it with us, it is especially good for those who cannot get out and see this wonderful site. Thank you Barbara for your thoughtfulness.

Bill says what is next, the consensus was to try county roads 21, 20 and 19 and beyond for little birds. On Ste Rose we got our first and only Rough-legged Hawk and Northern Harrier. Stopped for gas and continued on County road #9, there is a pond just to the left, not a single bird on it however. We turned onto County road 20 and there we saw the first Rough-legged Hawk, so cooperative actually I think the bird was very focused on getting something to eat. That gave us an idea, why not have lunch and watch the show. Barbara videotaped the bird, then she said another one and then there was another one. I have never seen three Rough-legged Hawks hunting in the same field.

We went looking for Bald Eagles since they are often seen in these fields particularly near the chicken farms. But no luck today.

We drove through St Isidore and turned onto County road #3. Bill says there are lagoons near here, want to try them? My attitude is nothing ventured, nothing gained. Oh it was so worth it, the lagoon was white with all the Snow Geese, then they lifted up and churned about honking all the while. Oh my, we all loved the moments.

A few roads later, we are at the Casselman lagoons. There we got Green Wing Teal, Black Duck and Ring-neck Duck.

On the way home, we all agreed that while the list was not long, the experience was wonderful. We had quality big time.

Thank you Bill and Barbara for driving and for your photos.

The first thing I did when I got home was to phone Pelee Wings and tell them of my tale of woe. They said Manfrotto had the part available and they would order it. The next day they called to say still no luck at getting a hold of Manfrotto, but the people at Pelee Wings had simply never heard of the arm breaking and they were hopeful that I might just get a replacement free because Manfrotto stands by their products. I don't care if it is free, I just want it replaced. But in the meantime, my husband simply took out the broken part and replaced it with the longer part of the arm, the arm is now 4 inches shorter, but it still works.

Ottawa River