Ottawa Area Birding: Voyageur Park and Alfred Lagoons with JC Birding

September 30, 2022

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

We met at Ken's place at 8:00 and proceeded to Voyageur Park via the 417. We took a quick stop at Vankleek Hill and got to the Carillon dam (it is the most powerful hydroelectric generating station on the Ottawa River) on the east side of the park only to be disappointed. We could not drive up to the dam nor could we get into the park via the dam, so we checked out the area east of the dam. Only after Bill and Barbara got home did we find out Barbara photographed the bird of the day 2 Iceland Gull - it pays to be a wanderer!!!

We drove to the Welcome to Ontario Centre (closed) parked and bushwhacked our way into the park. We did a lot of walking to find the birding very slow, we saw some turtles and White-crowned sparrows, but nothing much else. So we decided to return to the car. On the return trip we saw an American Redstart and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Bill said he thought that Jacque Bouvier was coming toward us, sure enough he was correct. We stopped and talked for at least 30 minutes. He told about his 50 day trip across Canada and when he came back he found out he was #100 as an Canada ebird lister, he has since moved up to #60. I embarrassed myself by asking what is that - yeah not a bird but a spring peeper. Eleanor pointed to the sky -- a Red-tailed Hawk.

We got back to the Visitors Centre and Barbara suggested it was time for lunch. There were picnic tables close to the trees, some chit chatted while others kept a close eye on if there were birds about - sure enough White-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows and one Dark-eyed Junco. After lunch Louise left us.

We moved on to the west side of the park, hoping to see some good birds. We were just out of the vehicles, when Ken said there is a raptor way high up in the sky. My, it was high, jokingly I suggested someone take a photo. Bill says where is Sami? Sami, take a photo. (Sami wasn't even on the outing, but Sami would have tried to take the photo for sure.). The darn bird was really high up and we could see it and then we could not, none of us had an idea what the bird ws. Such is birding.

Walking toward the water we heard and saw a Cedar Waxwing fly by. Then a bit later a Gray Catbird made an appearance. Ken spotted a Praying Mantis, it was on a leaf then flew to Eleanor's hat, where she stood still and many photos were taken of the insect. Walking a bit further, we saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler and another Ruby-crowned Kinglet. At the water Eleanor spotted a Bald Eagle and a Great Black-backed Gull.

Back at the cars, we discussed where to go, it was about 3:00 and we wanted to make just one more stop. We decided on Alfred Lagoons. I love that place.

Great stop, so many ducks - Ring-necked, Gadwall, Mallard, Blue & Green Wing Teal, Northern Shoveller, Wood Duck, Black Duck, Wigeon and 3 Snow Geese. And Pied-billed Grebe, I just love those little guys. Excellent stop. While those that love looking at ducks using scopes, there is one that really is not too interested. Barbara went wandering and she photographed Savannah, Swamp and Song Sparrows. When we were leaving we stopped to see Red-winged Blackbirds and one Common Grackle. Once on Peat Moss Road, a Northern Harrier flew across the road, of course we stopped and more photos were taken.

We talked about the best route home, we would hit the Queensway at rush hour. Bill decided to take the Queensway, only slowdown was at Maitland and we got off at Woodroffe. Bill made an excellent decision to take the Queensway.

The birding was slow at Voyageur Park, but the fall colours were beautiful and the weather was great as well. No complaints. For a slow day 44 species, not bad, but we did get 16 species at the Alfred Lagoons.