Ottawa Area Birding: Dewberry Trail & Mer Bleue Bog with JC Birding

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Dewberry Trail & Mer Bleue Bog with JC Birding

April 20, 2022

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

We met at Dolman Ridge Road and Anderson and birded to the parking lot. It was rather chilly around 3 degrees with a mild wind. The birding was slow, the first bird we saw was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker pounding a hydro pole. It was a bit difficult to see because it was at the very top and on the 'wrong' side of the pole. We heard a Northern Flicker calling. There were about 6 or 8 Common Raven flying about. Most of the feeders have been taken down near the parking lot and just off the trail. Red-winged Blackbirds were seen along with some Black-capped Chickadees.

We decided we would walk the loop trail, very quiet - Dark-eyed Juncos and then we spotted a Brown Creeper. It was seen going up a tree then it flew off, sinceit was seen by just one of us we decided to walked into the woods and look for it, yes we got it. Such cute little bird. I think I always see singles, never in pairs, mmm I wonder why. Walking back on the trail, we met a woman who was throwing peanuts everywhere. Just after that a vole ran across the trail and into a rotting log. We were all cold and so we all got into vehicles to warm up. Then we decided to walk the east end of Dolman Ridge Road. As we walked past the barricade three Mallards flew up and away. We walked and saw nothing.

Next was the Mer Bleue Boardwalk area. No feeders, but Barb always has seeds in her car so off she went to get some. There was a guy there that said there are American Tree Sparrow and Fox Sparrow. I took one look at him and recognized him, Ed who used to bird with us maybe 12 or 14 years ago. We saw White-throated Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow. But for me the Fox Sparrow is always a treat. I think it is one of the most beautiful sparrows. We walked the boardwalk and to our surprise no Red-winged Blackbirds, maybe they were in the reeds out of the wind. We got a Turkey Vulture and a Common Grackle. We called the Palm Warbler that hangs out at the corner, but I think it has not arrived yet.

Next was Farmers Way, big find there House Sparrow! Oh and American Goldfinch.

Next was Hall Road, I was so sure we would get Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows, well I was wrong. We turned around and drove to Piperville, nothing. Okay we should have better luck on Carlsbad Lane,nope.

Come on, surely we will see something on Milton. Well we had two unknown dark ducks fly away from us, but none of us got a decent look. Let's see if the Northern Mockingbird is around. Nope. Okay Sandhill Cranes, nope. But while searching for the Cranes we had a Merlin fly across and into a tree.

Driving Trim Road, we stopped at the Prescott Russell Bike path, in hopes that maybe the House Wren was back, nope, but on the east side of the road a small bird was seen - Golden-crowned Warbler, great. We walked east on the path to find a small flock of Kinglets, both Golden and Ruby. Well finally decent birds.

It was about 4ish, time to call it a day. On the Queensway, we saw a Double-crested Cormorant and a Ring-billed Gull. Barb and Ken saw a Pileated Woodpecker working hard either eating or making a nest. Considering the temperature and the wind 35 species is not too shabby.