Ottawa Area Birding: East Ottawa with JC Birding

August 2, 2022

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

We met at Ken's place and proceeded down to the Ottawa River via Shefford. As we exited the cars a small flock of Canada Geese flew over. It was a bit quiet but we did get an American Redstart, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireo, Gray Catbird and Great Crested Flycatcher. While we were on the pathway near the river, Ken pointed out Upper and Lower Duck Island, they are separated by a very small channel of water. Upper Duck Island is so much bigger than Lower Duck.

We then went to the area directly west of the Rockcliffe Flying Club. We parked on Airport Marina Road and birded the bike path until it came to the gravel pathway, then we birded that area. We saw lots of Song Sparrows and Eastern Kingbirds. There was a small raptor chasing sosme crows and it perched on the fence around the flying club. We all agreed it was a Kestrel. The sky looked ominous, but we kept on birding, mistake, we got caught in the rain, we ran to the cars. Bill and Ken slowed down a bit to see a Baltimore Oriole and a Yellow Warbler. We stayed in the cars, until the rain stopped - maybe 10 minutes or so.

We then walked over to the water catchment area to see if there were any shorebirds. What we saw was a Double-crested Cormorant flapping its wings while in the water, we also noticed what we thought was one of its legs at water level. We thought the poor thing was in trouble. We walked on and I think it was Bill who said Wild Turkey, it was at the rock side of the top of the falls - strange place for a Wild Turkey. There were Mallards swimming in the pond and a groundhog on some rocks sunning itself. But no shorebirds. While walking back we noticed a Double-crested Cormorant flying and there was no cormorant on the water. Maybe it was the same one.

We drove around the flying club hoping we would see some birds there, but no it was very quiet. We parked and started down the path. There were lots of American Crows and some were what I guess were drying themselves off from the rain or just plain hot. Low in the shrubs were two Hairy Woodpeckers. The same three Eastern Kingbird juveniles were waiting patiently for the dinner. In the same tree were many European Starlings. A bit further on Ken spotted a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak high in the trees and in the open for all to see. A Least Flycatcher made an appearance and then flew away. We saw a Yellowjacket's nest and Ken told us once he had to knock one down, he said two whacks and he ran like mad (not necessarily the word he used). Walking down the path where there are trees on both sides of the path a Bay-breasted Warbler was observed, but it showed itself briefly then disappeared.

We walked to the paved bike path and to the bridge, we heard a Common Yellowthroat, on the return trip, we saw it. Boy did it look bedraggled (check out the photos). At one point we all looked up and saw a small raptor - Peregrine Falcon or Merlin. Bill got the best look and he took photos - Peregrine Falcon. Coming back to the vehicles, Ken spotted a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Time for lunch, we decided to find a parking area with picnic tables that were not in the sun -- P7. Barb C. took out some paper napkins and wiped off the water puddles. While we were eating this couple walked by and stopped, he held her closely. She is very late in her pregnancy and a lady in the parking lot asked if they needed help. No, Bill said to me, is she in labour? Yep I said he is timing her contractions.

We watched as two vehicles came in with bikes. They parked and started readying their bikes to put on their batteries -- electric bikes. It took about 20 minutes for them to get rolling. Then two cyclists on electric bikes come into the parking lot, Barb C goes over to chat. She comes back to tell us the maximum allowable speed the bikes can go is 32 K per hour, I think she said they went about 25 K per hour. Whatever happened to muscle power, but then those bikes would help quite a bit going uphill. They get people out which is a good thing. I checked out the internet for the cost of those bikes -- starts at $1500.

Where should we go next, Rockcliffe park or the lake there? I suggested the swamp near Petrie Island -- Champlain Park. So we headed to Champlain Park - here I thought Champlain Park was the park beside Champlain bridge. First up, many Northern Leopard Frogs in various colour morphs. Once we got to the swampy area, we saw Wood Ducks far out, then a Great Blue Heron far away. Eleanor spotted some Common Gallinule, we heard Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows. And to finish it all off a Northern Harrier came in on the Quebec side, but good views..

Last stop was Petrie Island, a few Tree Swallows flying about. We walked into the woods and heard a Eastern Wood Pewee. Eleanor said there was a Phoebe near the water shaking its tail. We walked all around the woods to the parking lot near the beach, then walked to the end of the next path. Nothing, but a lovely walk and a joy to be in nature. Eleanor and I heard a Flicker and were determined to see it, Eleanor saw it I did not. Bill, Ken and Barb went on ahead and we continued well behind them. We decided to take another path and we were rewarded by seeing a beautiful, sunlit male Baltimore Oriole as well as a Great Crested Flycatcher. I called Ken to find out where they were, the Visitor Centre which has been moved closer to the beach. They were there looking at turtles.

Time to return to the cars. The day was mainly done by foot - we walked about 10.5 kilometers. We talked about the far east as in Crysler and shorebirds, We made the decision to go there next week. We all headed homeward around 5:00.

Every day is a good day to bird.