Sunday, April 2, 2023

Spring Waterfowl with OFO

 April 2, 2023




Thirty intrepid birders gathered at Petrie Island on this very chilly spring day.  Bob Cermak and Bernie Ladouceur led this trip.  Bob commented that we were at least a week early because there was still snow in the fields, and the Bearbrook had not started to flood. Nevertheless, we hoped to see Tundra Swans and Gray Partridges that the leaders had seen on a scouting mission.





So, after a stop at Tim's, we were off to Frank Kenny Road in a convoy of about 15 cars.  Pulling off past the bridge, we did see 7 Tundra Swans on the west side.  Check!





We searched in vain for the Gray Partridges in the corn stubble.  So Bob said we would go to Milton Road and return here later for the partridges.


On the way over, on Perrault, we saw a distant perched Redtail Hawk.




On Milton, we only saw the nesting Common Raven.




But on Smith, after diligent searching, we saw a few Sandhill Cranes in the extreme distance.






We returned to Frank Kenny, and Colin G found the small covey of Gray Partridges in the extreme distance.   We could barely see them in the scope, let alone get a photo.  But we did photograph a couple of Killdeers and a hybrid barnyard goose. 





Did we mention it was cold? The wind was bitter.  Bob said we had seen all that we would, so called an end to the trip.  Before going home, we checked out Giroux Road where partridges had been seen a couple of weeks back.  We did not see any, but there were several Horned Larks to photograph.




It was good to see Bob and Bernie and the other friendly birders.


Ottawa--Petrie Island (Causeway), Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Apr 2, 2023 7:54 AM - 8:13 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.3 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments:     OFO field trip with 25 participants; some of the birds were only observed by leader car prior to the arrival of most of the participants. Also included the primary leader, Bob Cermak.
7 species

Canada Goose  2
Common Merganser  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Blue Jay  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S132525417

Tim Horton's near Trim Rd and Watters Rd, Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Apr 2, 2023 8:24 AM - 8:29 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments:     OFO field trip with 25 participants. This was a Tim Horton's stop so not everyone would have the same observations. Also included the primary leader, Bob Cermak.
2 species

American Crow  1
House Sparrow  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S132525434

Open country north of Navan, Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Apr 2, 2023 8:42 AM - 8:47 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments:     OFO field trip with 25 participants. This was part of drive between major stops, so not everyone would have the same observations. Also included the primary leader, Bob Cermak.
3 species

Wild Turkey  20
American Crow  1
Horned Lark  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S132525430

Carlsbad Springs (Milton/Trim/Frank Kenny Rds), Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Apr 2, 2023 8:51 AM - 11:52 AM
Protocol: Traveling
17.6 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments:     OFO field trip. Also included the primary leader, Bob Cermak. Also observed by the lead car: Coyote and Common Raccoon.
24 species (+1 other taxa)

Domestic goose sp. (Domestic type)  1     Mostly white; orange bill, orang legs; greyish mottling on the back and wings; very large.
Canada Goose  1000
Tundra Swan  7     Continuing
Wood Duck  4
Mallard  3
American Black Duck  1
Hooded Merganser  1
Wild Turkey  3
Gray Partridge  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Sandhill Crane  9
Killdeer  4
Ring-billed Gull  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Crow  8
Common Raven  2
Black-capped Chickadee  1
European Starling  15
American Robin  12
Song Sparrow  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  15
Northern Cardinal  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S132525426








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