Wood Thrush with Craig

 December 21, 2023

We were out making some stops and decided to show the Wood Thrush at Tunney's Pasture to Craig who is home from Saskatchewan.  It was a lifer for him!

Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count

 December 17, 2023

https://ebird.org/tripreport/181772

This year, Bruce assigned us to the Arboretum, since another group had Clyde Woods.

It was lucky for us, as we came upon a very cooperative Red-tailed Hawk.

We also saw many American Robins and at least 300 European Starlings.

Our next stop was Hampton Park. But there was little there beyond a few American Goldfinches and Black-capped Chickadees.

Then it was off to Harvey's to meet Bruce and the other team members. Except Bruce never arrived.  He was in hospital, having slipped on ice in Britannia and broken 3 ribs and punctured a lung.  Yikes! 

We talked to Chris Harris who lived near Frank Ryan Park, and offered to cover it for us.  That left us only with Black Rapids to do.  We got a smattering of waterfowl and about 20 Herring Gulls.  This year we left before the American Crow invasion, but saw them coming on our way home.

ONRI Christmas Bird Count - Munster Sector 2023

 December 16, 2023

https://ebird.org/tripreport/179958

A Wood Thrush

 December 9, 2023

A Wood Thrush was reported and seen by many at a feeder in the narrow strip of land north of Tunney's Pasture and south of the parkway.  We drove over and located it right away.

Its unusual to see a Wood Thrush in winter.

A Short-eared Owl

 December 6, 2023

A Short-eared Owl was reported hunting along Aikins Rd.  We headed over right after physio.  There were plenty of Snow Buntings on Aikins, but no owl.

So we made the square back on Brownlee, then went to Rushmore, where we saw several cars pulled up.  There was the Short-eared owl sitting in the ditch.  It may have been injured or sick, for it did not move in spite of all the photographers.

We did not stay long, as the wind was bitter.

Wild Turkeys at the Cottage

 December 5, 2023

We went up to cut our Christmas tree - a long time tradition.  Often we would see some good birds, but this year it was Wild Turkeys and Snow Buntings.