Spring Waterfowl with OFO

 April 6, 2024

Some 24 birders met Bernie Ladouceur at Petrie Island at 8 am for the traditional spring outing.  Unfortunately, the spring melt happed weeks ago this year, and waterfowl were in short supply.

We scoped a pair of Gadwalls at Petrie Island.

After a stop at Tim Hortons, we went to Giroux Ponds, where we spent quite some time scoping the ducks and geese.  The hoped-for Ross's was not there, but we did see a Snow x Canada Goose, a Northern Shoveller and lots of Ring-necked Ducks and Buffleheads.

From there, we went to Larose Forest to look for Red Crossbills.  No luck there, but we got some Red-breasted Nuthatches, Purple Finches and American Goldfinches.

Where to go next?  Bernie said there was no point of going to Cobbs Lake, since the flooding was mostly gone. He thought the best bet was to return to Giroux Ponds in the hopes that the Ross and Snow Geese had returned.  As we drove in, a flock of 750 Snow Geese flew by, but did not land in the pond.  We scoped again, and took more photos.  Together we coached a new birder from Nepal who was very pleasant.

We decided to go home via Leitrim Road.  Knowing that a Pine Warbler was being reported at the OFNC feeder at P18 (Pine Grove), we decided to stop in.  Of course the warbler had just left, but we waited for 10 minutes, and it returned.  It was a good way to end our day of spring birding.