Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Gatineau Park with JC Birding

 July 5, 2023


Birding Report by Jane Burgess


We met at the parking lot near Champlain Bridge.  Barb C. Ken and Eleanor were already there when Bill, Barbara and I arrived. I received a text from Ian wondering where we were.  Long story short, he was in the right parking lot, he just did not see us.  We proceeded up the Gatineau parkway to the parking lot of the park -- the gate did not open until 8:00 and we were there at 7:00.  We met up with Guy who told us he had seen an Indigo Bunting and a fly over Pileated Woodpecker.  We walked over to the bike path to see the Indigo Bunting who was singing away, only problem was we could not see it.  While walking around looking at birds, the Indigo Bunting made its way to  the top of a tree, giving us good views but far away views.  We walked the trail and heard lots of birds -- Black-throated Green Warbler, many Red-eyed Vireos, American Redstart, Song Sparrow and we saw a Gray Catbird.

We got back to the parking lot just as the gate was being open, we drove to the Waterfall Trail.  I remember Connie and I used to play Blackburnian Warbler or Paula at that parking lot.  I played both, but nothing.  So we walked down the path and under the road (I don't like walking in dark places, so Ken put his arm around me and off we went). The views of the stream were quite lovely especially when a waterfall was involved.  We did not hear the Waterthrush, but we heard a Blackburnian Warbler, we called it and it came in along with a White-breasted Nuthatch.  Once out of that tunnel we heard a Winter Wren singing, such a beautiful song, we went to investigate and we did see it.  

Then we drove to Champlain Lookout, there in the swamp the big find was a female Mallard.  We walked two trails, the Ovenbirds were singing their loud songs along with the Red-eyed Vireos.  Guy brought our attention to the Veery singing.  Barbara said on the trail, a bird, it turned out to be a Hermit Thrush.

We decided to have an early lunch at the lookout, Bill and Barbara sat under the canopy that is set up for the bus stop, the rest of us joined them.  When we left the parking lot, we saw two Cedar Waxwings in a dead tree.  The last stop was at a large swamp by P8 on Meech Lake road.  We parked the car and walked back, hearing Dark-eyed Junco.  In the swamp Bill spotted three Hooded Mergansers, or was it four - a female and some juveniles.  In the sky, two Turkey Vultures were seen.  As we were leaving and walking back to the vehicles, we saw a Muskrat or was it a Groundhog cross the road very slowly and then when it was on the grass, took off like a shot.

On the Ottawa River Parkway or whatever name it is now, we saw Double-crested Cormorant, Ring-billed Gulls and a single Great Egret. 

Birding was done by 1:00, the temperature was 29 but with the humidex it was 38.  Back home by 2:00.

Thank you Bill & Barbara, Ken and Guy for your photos.







































Species Seen
  1. Wild Turkey
  2. European Starling
  3. Warbling Vireo
  4. Great Blue Heron
  5. Common Merganser
  6. Indigo Bunting
  7. Pileated Woodpecker 
  8. Black-throated Green Warbler
  9. American Goldfinch
  10. Common Raven
  11. Scarlet Tanager
  12. Red-eyed Vireo
  13. American Redstart
  14. Song Sparrow
  15. Gray Catbird
  16. House Sparrow
  17. Black-capped Chickadee
  18. Northern Cardinal
  19. Downy Woodpecker
  20. Chestnut-sided Warbler
  21. Ring-billed Gull
  22. Ovenbird
  23. Common Yellowthroat 
  24. Winter Wren
  25. White-breasted Nuthatch
  26. Mallard
  27. Blue Jay
  28. Eastern Wood Pewee
  29. Blackburn Warbler
  30. American Robin
  31. Cedar Waxwing
  32. Hermit Thrush
  33. Red-winged Blackbird
  34. Common Grackle
  35. Dark-eyed Junco
  36. Hooded Merganser
  37. Turkey Vulture
  38. Double-crested Cormorant
  39. Great Egret



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