Ottawa Area Birding: Pakenham and Beyond with JC Birding

July 28, 2022

Report by Jane Burgess

We met at the Eagleson Park & Ride and since we were 5 we took two vehicles. Bill, Barbara and I in the lead car since Bill knew exactly where we were going and Ken and Barb C followed us. First stop was in Pakenham just after we crossed the 5 span bridge. This bridge was built in 1905 for the use of horse and buggy (restored in 1985) and is a one way bridge. We saw an Osprey as we came to the bridge but given it is one way, no stopping , but there is a parking lot just after the bridge. We walked over to the high water (I know this because there was a picnic table partially submerged in the water. There was a group of 5 Mallards hanging around the table, maybe they thought it was a good place to eat. But we were around, so they kept on swimming. We checked out several trees that had spiky green nuts on them -- mmm wonder what they are. No not butternut, no not black walnut, Bill had the answer -- horse chestnut - never heard of it.

Driving to Concession #9, we stopped to look at 2 Eastern Meadowlarks, once we stopped, the birds took off into the field, but we were able to easily see them. Again these birds were singing both songs, spring and fall. We crossed the Indian River and both Eastern Phoebe and Eastern Wood Pewee were flycatching. Out of the vehicles, each of us dealt with bug spray, food or drink or whatever, since Bill said it would be at least a kilometer walking and there would be bugs. We heard Red-eyed Vireos at the vehicles and along the path. And then we heard 'fire, fire, where, where, here, here' Indigo Bunting, lovely. We got to this cottage where there was a swampy area at the back of their property, Barbara took a photo of a Common Yellowthroat, I had a fleeting look at a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Our hope was to see a Golden-winged Warbler or a Mourning Warbler. But that was not to be. But Bill and Barbara saw a River Otter crossing the trail, go figure, why would it be there?

Leaving the 19th Concession we saw Kingbirds on the hydro line and of course those Kestrels that know how to drive us crazy if we want to take a photo of them. Our destination was Klondike, Barb and I were there about a month ago and we had Mourning Warbler, Scarlet Tanager and Black & White Warbler. Well when we got there I asked Bill to play Scarlet Tanager, it did not respond or at least that is what I thought. Ken and Barb arrived and Ken started taking photos of what we thought was a Baltimore Oriole, since the bird had orange feathers. We were wrong, it was a Scarlet Tanager in molt. Scarlet Tanagers males are brilliant red with black wings in spring and summer. After breeding, adult males transition to a female-like plumage, but with black wings and tail. The female took her time showing herself, to me she looked like she just took a bath. Barbara was up the road a bit, beckoning us to come, she found a Black & White, well two of them. Those are flitty little birds. After all the flurry Barb and Ken reported that they had seen a Eastern Bluebird and a Northern Flicker on their way up Klondike Road. Leaving the Scarlet Tanagers we drove slowly down the road and spotted a House Finch and a Purple Finch.

We decided we would have lunch at High Lonesome (read the signage on one of the Bowman's photos). While eating lunch we heard a Gray Catbird, who later showed itself to me while I was sitting waiting for the others. After lunch we decided to walk one of the short trails, when we got to the turn off, the trail was narrow and had long grass on either side, I said not going there, I had capris on and I was not fond of the idea of a tick visiting me on my legs. No no kept going, at the next trail my legs were covered in mosquitos, yeah I am turning back, but please go ahead I will meet you at the building. They returned to say they had heard a Wood Thrush and a White-throated Sparrow and the water was covered in weeds. So no big loss for me not going.

Walking on the way out to the car, we saw a sparrow with a pink bill and pink legs, which usually means Field Sparrow, I wrote it down Field Sparrow. Today I got a note from Bill saying no Field Sparrow but juvenile Chipping Sparrow. Now I went to my Sibley's app and did a comparison. The birds do look different and they both have pink bills and legs, but their head shape and bills are quite different. 18 years of birding and I am still learning and I would say that is one of the many aspects of birding I like.

Bill suggested the next place to go would be Scoops in Pakenham - ice cream. There were many House Sparrows around the area, another for the list.

Bill and Barbara decided to go home. On their way home they photographed a Grasshopper sparrow and a Wood Duck. Ken, Barb and I wanted to see the Sedge Wren on the Stittsville Trail so we went off in that direction. On the way there Ken said there goes a Merlin, saying I have seen enough of them in my neighborhood to recognize their flight. We were not to be disappointed, the little wren did respond to the call, Ken and I heard the calls. Then one flew in near Barb low near the reeds, then it flew up to some shrubbery near the road, giving us some opportunity to photograph it, but it's a secretive little bird and it would go down into the grass and disappear for a bit then appear. We were quite happy to see the bird.

Around then the Barn Swallows came out, we did not see any swallows during the day but around 5:00 they just appeared, swooping under the viewing stand and then up and over to the other side of the road and then to a tree and they seemed to repeat that pattern. Always landing in the same tree. Guess their kind of insect was out and they were hungry.