Ken's Trails around Green's Creek and Jan'e's Childhood Home with JC Birding

 November 29, 2022

Biding Report by Jane Burgess

We met at Ken's place.  We were chit chatting and we noticed a flock of about 5 Canada Geese fly over, wait a minute Eleanor says there is a Ross' Goose with them. The Id was based on the size of the white bird versus the size of the Canada Geese, after some discussion, we thought it best to call it a Snow Goose, since Snow Geese are quite a bit smaller than a Canada Goose. Great start to the day.  Since we were just four, we drove together in Bill's vehicle.  First up was P27 on the parkway, today would prove to be a walking day.  After a good walk, Eleanor and Bill spotted a bird at the top of a far off tree -- Pine Grosbeak, female, good bird for sure, too bad it wasn't closer.  We walked and walked and checked out the trails and boy really good habitat and we must return in the spring.  On our return Ken stopped to check out a bird on top of a tree - everyone saw it through our binoculars - Northern Shrike - another good bird.  As Ken raised his camera the Shrike flew, it was as if he could feel our eyes on it.  First Shrike of the season for all of us. Back to the car it was reported we had walked 7.08K at a speed of 2.9k per hour, slow but we were birding.

We then checked out P26, no new birds, we walked 1.5 K.

By this time it was around noon, so we drove to Tauvette Street and parked at the end.  While having our lunch we saw Dark-eyed Juncos, American Tree Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Hairy Woodpecker, House Finch and a Common Raven.  We did not walk here, just sat and ate our lunches.  We drove down the road where there is an organic farm, no birds.

We checked out Dewberry Trail - Evening Grosbeaks, Mourning Doves and Common Grackle - good bird for this time of the year - were our new birds.

We then went to P20, which is located between Dolman Road and Ridge Road.  We have never birded here and really the only birds we saw were Black-capped Chickadees at the bird feeders set up by children we figured.  We returned to the cars after we walked 1.89K.  We then went to Mer Bleu Boardwalk, hoping for something different, no nothing.  We checked out the pines and walked a bit of the boardwalk, even though the signs said closed.  We were hoping for maybe a Brown Creeper on the pines or an owl, but no that did not happen.  Walked 1.3K

The others were interested in where I lived back in the day.  I said I will show you, but you won't see anything, all the trees and a no trespassing  sign.  We drove down the Ridge road and I gave them a running commentary of who lived where back when I lived there.  We came to where I used to live and yes you could see the house.  There was a guy working the field, I suggested Bill shout to him, he preferred to turn around and let me do the talking.  I explained who I was and yes I was one of the Macartneys that lived there.  Could I come in and take some photos, asked if I wanted to go in the house, no, no, just outside photos, he said yes.   We drove in and he was waiting for us at the house.  He had questions for me and I had questions for him. The place had changed dramatically but it has been at least 35 years since I had been there.   I took the photos and the last thing I said as I pointed to the bedroom window was  that used to be my bedroom, he said it is my bedroom now.   My older sister is writing a history of the Ridge Road and I figured she would want the photos -- well that was my excuse for taking them.  She was pleased when I emailed them to her.

Returning to the car we decided we would do our last birding around Ken's place.  No new birds.

Total distance we walked was just over 14K, so we got our exercise in, but we did not see a lot of birds, but it is that time of the year.

Species Noted

1. Wild Turkey
2. White-breasted Nuthatch
3. American Crow
4. Herring Gull
5. Canada Goose
6. Snow Goose
7. Rock Pigeon
8. Downy Woodpecker
9. Pine Grosbeak
10. Northern Shrike
11. Black-capped Chickadee
12. American Robin
13. Dark-eyed Junco
14. American Tree Sparrow
15. American Goldfinch
16. Hairy Woodpecker
17. House Finch
18. Common Raven
19. Blue Jay
20. Evening Grosbeak
21. Common Grackle
22. Mourning Dove

Snow Geese in Eastern Ontario

 November 27, 2022

We checked eBird sightings and decided to go to the Embrun lagoons.  We were in luck.

An OPP officer stopped and I thought he was going to give us a hard time.  But turns out he was a birder! We had quite a chat about cameras etc.  He told us a Snowy Owl was already hanging out in the St. Rose area, so we decided to look for it. We did not find it, but there was a perched male Northern Harrier.

Hidden Lake to Macnamara Nature Trail with JC Birding

 November 22, 2022

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Barb C. and I checked out Moody Pond, backside - just Canada Geese, no gulls.  On the Moodie Drive side, we looked hard and found 4 Mallards and many gulls -- Ring-billed, Herring and Great Black-backed among the thousands of Canada Geese.  The pond has started to freeze so the Canada Geese were next to the ice all bunched up together in a very long line.  We checked the flock for Greater White-fronted, but none.

Next we drove down Cambrian Road W. to see European Starlings, nothing really, oh yes, high in the tree taking in the sun a Red-tailed Hawk.  Those birds usually sit still when you drive by, but when you get out of the car, they fly, not this one, it just sat and moved its head looking looking for a good meal. We drove to the end of the road and saw a deer running in the field.  Almost where Cambrian and Trail Road meet we saw some movement near the fence, I thought Robin, well Robin sized, with persistence we saw 3 White-crowned Sparrows - late for these birds . On Trail Road I said to Barb I think there are 5000 European Starlings, they were everywhere, she said maybe a 1000, so I guess the number was somewhere between 1000 and 5000.  A couple of Dark-eyed Juncos and Tree Sparrows were also seen on Trail Road.  We turned around and headed for Twin Elm Road, great find there maybe 8 Mourning Doves and Rock Pigeons on the silo.

We thought maybe we would have some luck finding a Snowy Owl on Rushmore, Akins area, nope, but we did see a lone Snow Bunting eating the grit on the road.  Then maybe 10 minutes later we saw Snow Buntings resting on power lines. On one of those roads we saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk, too far for photos, but close enough to identify without the use of a scope.  Eagleson is closed one way so we could not take it to Fallowfield, so we headed to Steeplehill and over to Fallowfield Village.  No new birds.

We checked out Emerald Meadows Pond, a lot of it is frozen and the open part had Canada Geese only.  We saw a Cooper's Hawk fly up and around a house.   Hmmm, remember that place that had the Boreal Chickadee, let's go there, but I am not sure which road it is, Fernbank or Flewellyn Road, we tried Fernbank, lucky it was the correct road.  The lady was friendly and said we could come onto her property - lots of Black-capped Chickadees, a pair of Northern Cardinals, Hairy Woodpecker, a couple of American Goldfinch and a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

Neither Barb or I had ever been to Hidden Lake in the Carp area.  So off we drove and during that drive we got a call from Bill Bowman saying they were going to join us, where were we.  While waiting for the Bowmans to arrive we had lunch and watched a man caulking his house.  Nope he was a pest control guy, problem with mice getting into the homeowner's house.  The Bowmans arrive and off we go with our scopes -- Canada Geese and more Canada Geese.  We spent a good while looking for a Greater White-fronted Goose, but no we did not find any.  But what we did find was three Canada with white spots on their neck, head or both.  We walked the trail and Barb did her Barred Owl howl, but that only attracted Black-capped Chickadees, we were hoping to see an owl, but nope.

On the way to Arnprior, a Pileated Woodpecker was seen flying.  Driving to MacNamara Trail at Riverview Park, we checked out the river and Barb found a large group of waterfowl in the middle of the river and a good distance away  Bill says no point getting our scopes, just too far.  We looked the other way and saw a boat going out in the water, maybe we could get them to ID the birds, turns out it was a police boat and I think they were not too interested in the birds.  We again turned our attention to the birds, for some reason, they decided to fly, please, please fly in our direction.  Well they kind of did, close enough to ID them as Common Goldeneye.

Barb suggested we go to the Macnamara trail and see what was coming into the feeder.  We walk in  and then we come to a decision, to go left or straight ahead.  We opted for the left and took the Nopiming Loop.  Apparently it 'provides an enhanced nature experience and improved observation of the wetland by Goodwin Bay' and its 1.5 K.  The regular trail is 4 K.  So we found out we made the wrong decision, we should have gone straight ahead, this information was provided by a local who was walking his dogs (no dogs allowed on this trail).   Oh well we got our steps in for sure, part of the trail particularly the metal bridge was slippery.  Only birds on the loop we saw were American Robins.  When we finally found the bird feeder we saw Chickadees and one White-breasted Nuthatch.

Time to call it a day, first Antrim Truckstop, for some goodies.  Barb and I made a stop at Costco before dropping me off.  Home around 5:30.

The weather was bearable, cool but no wind.  Thanks Sami  for editing my photos.

 

 

Species Noted

1. House Sparrow
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Canada Goose
4. Ring-billed Gull
5. Herring Gull
6. Great Black-backed Gull
7. Mallard
8. Blue Jay
9. Red-tail Hawk (4)
10. European Starling
11. Dark-eyed Junco
12. White-crowned Sparrow
13. American Tree Sparrow
14. MourningDove
15. Snow Bunting
16. Rock Pigeon
17. Sharp-shinned Hawk
18. White-breasted Nuthatch
19. Cooper's Hawk
20. American Robin
21. Red-breasted Nuthatch
22. Northern Cardinal
23. Hairy Woodpecker
24. American Goldfinch
25. Common Raven
26. Pileated Woodpecker
27. Common Goldeneye

Jack Pine Trail

 November 20, 2022

Gillian M reported a Black-backed Woodpecker, so we went over to look for it.   We were shocked to see the damage from the Derecho.  Well, there was no sign of the woodpecker, but there were a few other goodies around.

Pine Grove to Navan with JC Birding

 November 15, 2023

Birding Report by Jane Burges

We met at the Pinegrove, Greenbelt Eastern Path at 8:00 and walked to where the Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers had been reported. We walked the path and found Evening Grosbeak, American Goldfinch, heard White-breasted Nuthatch and saw a Hairy Woodpecker.  We did a lot of walking back and forth and back and forth and back and forth.  About 2 hours later, the American Three-toed Woodpecker flew in, beautiful, gorgeous male, great view, just not long enough.  It flew to a broken off tree -- for us the wrong side of the stump, just saw views of his head and we could see the yellow patch on his head (see Ken's photo).  We had poor views of the female .  The best view was the 3 or 4 seconds when we saw it first in the sunlight.  We hung around a bit and finally we decided we would go to the vehicles to warm up.  Ken stayed hoping the Three-toed  or the Black-back  would come in.  Nope they did not.  He did see a Pileated Woodpecker fly by.

Educational moment -- The American Three-toed Woodpecker’s small stature is deceptive. One study of its musculature and skeleton revealed that this woodpecker can deliver especially powerful blows. It’s been suggested this is due to the evolutionary loss of the fourth toe—an unusual trait shared only by the Eurasian Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers. With only three toes, these species may be able to lean farther away from the tree and thereby hit the tree harder than other woodpeckers, all of which have four toes.

We decided we would go to Dewberry Trail and see the Red-bellied Woodpecker.  As we approached the parking lot, we noticed many cars parked alongside the road, oh, no,  too many people looking at the birds? (only birders would think that)  We saw a couple of  large trucks.  We got out of our vehicles, we then saw what looked like an insulated tent and a covered area with chairs almost like an eating area.  They must be making a movie.  Turns out that the children's television series "Makinum" was filming an episode.  I googled it and found nothing.  Never heard of the series.  I asked one of the men walking around, what was the series about, his response, I don't know, I have not read the script.

The feeders were full  hence with lots of Black-capped Chickadees, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers enjoying the seeds along with a very noisy Red Squirrel.  Blue Jays, American Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos were on the ground feeding.  But where was that darn Red-bellied Woodpecker?  Ken, Barb and I walked to the back and around the trail, hoping we would find it. Nope.  But we did see a rabbit in transition, too many shrubs in the way for a photo.  It looked kind of cool, with partial white ears and face.  When we returned the Red-bellied Woodpecker was flying around, landing not very close to the feeders, perhaps our presence upset the bird. Several times it flew off and then returned.  It finally  landed near a suet feeder, but  on the far side of the tree from me.  My photo shows only its head, but at least I got that.  Check out the photo of the White-breasted Nuthatch, look at its claws, I think it needs a pedicure (yes I know they need the claws long and sharp).

Where to next?  We drove to the boardwalk on Ridge Road.  The feeders are located quite close to the latrines and more feeders have been added since I was last there.  Again Evening  Grosbeaks, and not all that skittish.  The sun was shining making photographs of the birds so much better.  Lots of Black-capped Chickadees, two Mourning Doves together in the woods.  But no Fox Sparrow, darn.  Barbara had gone back to the vehicle to have her lunch, Bill joined her then I joined them.  Ken went to his car.  Barb C.  stayed to watch, as she had nibbled at her lunch while driving.  I looked up from my soup and I read on her lips FOX SPARROW.  Bill, she has a Fox Sparrow.  Barbara was the first out, then Bill, finally slow poke Jane.  I knocked on Ken's window to say Fox Sparrow.  Funny how lunch doesn't matter, when there is a good bird around.  Well the stupid thing, oh bad karma, but it went into wherever, those skullers, but patience counts.  Barb saw it again in the brambles, then it came into sight and decided to work in an area in the shade but visible for all.  It was doing its thing, scratch, peck, scratch, peck, lift up the head, then repeat itself.  Finally it decided to come into the sunlight, we were all so happy.  Lots of photos.  There was a second one, but not at all cooperative.  Back to the vehicles to finish lunch. Fox Sparrows are chubby sparrows, but I think they are the best looking of all the sparrows.  The ones in western Canada are not so colourful.

Barb decided to leave us at this point.  We went to check out the Sandhill Cranes.  My brother had called me to say they were still around, but for some reason they were fighting with each other.  No, no, they are dancing.  He argued, I finally said to him, Who is the birder anyway??  Point taken.  We checkout Milton and Smith, no Cranes.  We took Perreault to Trim, yes, there they were, but flying.  We were happy to see them.  Drove a tiny bit, because Ken could hear them, yes we saw about 20 or so.  Ken  had run out of steam by then so he left to go home.  Bill Barbara and I went to check out Giroux Ponds.  Good idea --Bufflehead, Black Duck, Mallard, Green-wing Teal, Northern Pintail (such a pretty bird), Hooded Merganser and a single Ring-billed Gull.  On the other pond, we saw about 15 Common Mergansers, Common Golden-eye, more Hooded Mergansers and a Great Blue Heron.  Ken called to say he had seen a Red-tailed Hawk -- we saw 5 Red-tailed Hawks during the course of the day.

Time to go home.  It was probably the coldest birding day so far, Ken had dressed for it, the rest of us found our toes and fingers were cold.  But as the day progressed,  it warmed up a bit or we just got used to the cold.  Winter is coming.

Another good day, the  best bird by far was the American Three-toed Woodpecker.

Species Noted

1. Blue Jay
2. Northern Cardinal
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Wild Turkey
5. Red-tailed Hawk
6. Evening Grosbeak
7. White-breasted Nuthatch
8. American Goldfinch
9. Hairy Woodpecker
10. American Three-toed Woodpecker
11. American Crow
12. Common Raven
13. Canada Goose
14. Pileated Woodpecker
15. Downy Woodpecker
16. American Tree Sparrow
17. Dark-eyed Junco
18. Red-bellied Woodpecker
19. Mourning Dove
20. Fox Sparrow
21. Rock Pigeon
22. Sandhill Crane
23. European Starling
24. Bufflehead
25. Black Duck
26. Mallard
27. Green-winged Teal
28. Northern Pintail
29. Hooded Merganser
30. Ring-billed Gull
31. Common Merganser
32. Common Goldeneye
33. Great Blue Heron
34. House Sparrow