Ottawa Area Birding: Gatineau Park with JC Birding

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.