Ottawa Area Birding: Larose Forest and St. Rose with JC Birding

January 11, 2023

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

We met at Elmvale Acres shopping centre, we were seven, Bill and Barbara, Barb C., Ken, Ian (welcome), Eleanor and me. I think we definitely would be considered keen birders given the temperature was -19, yes chilly, but most of the birding would be car birding. We carpooled, just two cars and headed to Larose Forest, more specially Indian Creek Road. Our first stop was at the corner of Russell and Ramsayville Road, I thought I had seen a Northern Shrike atop a coniferous tree, what a good way to start the day. Sadly it was not a Shrike but a single puffed up Cedar Waxwing. A little bit further down the road we spotted a Red-tailed Hawk (5 were sighted throughout the day). We stopped at the usual place on Indian Creek Road, oh so many Evening Grosbeaks - such pretty birds - along with Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadees and Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers.

We drove down the road, of course the usual sign of Road Closed was ignored. They don't plough the road, but it was drivable, not with a little car, but fine for Bill and Ken's vehicles. About 2/3 down the road, coming towards us was a large oversized vehicle pulling a small house, oh no what do we do. Fortune was with us, because the vehicle pulled into a road just before we met up. We headed to Enzo's place on Martel - oh the Evening Grosbeak were there and sun was out and the birds were more photographable. I had decided not to bring my camera because of the cold weather, too darn cold for my bare fingers. There were lots of Blue Jays, Mourning Doves and a couple of Dark-eyed Juncos. We saw four White-tailed deer - two small ones and two mature ones, they were feasting on the seeds at the back feeder. Barbara did her usual thing and wandered off by herself when along comes a gentleman who struck up a conversation. Like where did that guy come from? Well he lives further down the road from Enzo's place and his home is totally off the grid and has lived like that for 20 years. He got bronze medal in an international dog sled competition and was going out to buy what else dog food. They chatted a long time, guess he needs a conversation ever now and again.

We left to go look for Snowy Owls near Casselman. On the way there Ken made a point of showing us the field where he got some Gray Partridges, we did not see any however. We spotted something in the distance, so we decided to check it out, taking two roads but then could not find the bird. We were on Concession 19, when Ken says 'is that a Turkey Vulture'? Like what is a TV doing here, it should be south, but there are chicken farms around and they throw out the dead chickens at the back of their barns, so no doubt the TV feasts on them. All of a sudden we see action an American Crow chasing what appears to be a falcon type bird. We have some discussion, but are distracted by a big bird flying -- Bald Eagle. I phone Bill and he says he is looking at two Bald Eagles, we turn around. Sure enough two mature Bald Eagles are perched on a branch across the field. I thought they looked like Trogon sitting - gee can you tell I am preparing for my South America trip!! We saw 4 Bald Eagles throughout the day. So back to the falcon type bird - well we decided the falcon type bird was definitely smaller both in width and length than the crow, so that ruled out Cooper's hawk. Barb said she saw white, but depending on the sun, black will often shine white, so we dismissed that colour. So we definitely decided it was falcon type, but as for the specific ID well it is falcon sp.

It is time for lunch so we stop on Concession 19, on the end of the road where we usually see Owls. We get out our lunches and Barb C. says there are cars up there, are they looking at an owl? Sure enough a Snowy Owl perched on a post. I phone Bill, say lunch is over, lets go get the Snowy Owl just up the road. He laughs a bit. Bill and Ian get out and take photos, the occupants of Ken's vehicle were focused on eating their lunches. Barb says I think I will get my camera, do you think if I go out and get closer the owl will stay put? We said sure, and if it doesn't, find your own way home, you will be walking. She takes a few pix and of course the bird flies low over the field and lands not that far away from us. But it blends in so well in the field thank goodness we paid attention to where it landed. She comes back to the car and she finds all the doors locked, she walks up to Ken's window and says open the door, he makes like his fingers are walking and she pouts and of course we open the car doors. Life can't be taken too seriously.

We checked out Concession 21, no owls no Snow Buntings. So its time for a pit stop at the restaurant near the 417. Barb C spots a bird, a Kestral, good find. We drive down Concession 20 and stop since we see a small flock of birds and they don't look like Starlings. No, they are Bohemian Waxwings. I think at this point Barb C hands out chocolates, she says she wanted to share the calories, so considerate!!!

We decided that since both Ian and Eleanor has dipped on the Boreal Chickadee previously, we would go back and see if we can get it. On the drive back we kept our eyes open for Rough-legged Hawks. On the trip, we stopped and I phoned Bill and told him about the Turkeys on his right, I like to tease Bill about Wild Turkeys, he could care less about them. We arrived at the Birch Grove & Mcgladry Roads and well we had lots of American Tree Sparrows and a White-breasted Nuthatch and just a couple of Black-capped Chickadee. We were not prepared to freeze our butts, the weather had warmed up to -9, but still cold, so unfortunately no Boreal Chickadee. Bill told us they were going back to Elmvale Acres, Ian had to take his dog out, so off we headed to the Navan area. We had not got to see any Snow Buntings while in Casselman, Ken says look, and there flying was a small flock of Snow Buntings. We stopped but they were a good distance away, but still we were happy to see them. We checked out the roads around Navan, but no Rough Legged Hawks. Time to head back to the parked cars at Elmvale Acres. I think we arrived back around 5ish. Barb C went off to do some grocery shopping and I had some errands to do and I got home at around 7:45, a long day.

All and all a good day, not a long list, but a quality list of birds for a cold winter day. We had a Snowy Owl, Bald Eagles, a Kestrel, 5 Red-tail Hawks and a flock of Bohemian Waxwings, all pretty good birds. But for me the best bird was the Turkey Vulture, who knew the best bird would be a TV, but at this time of the year, those birds should not be here.