Ottawa Area Birding: Mud Lake with JC Birding

May 21, 2024

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Barb, Margaret, Ian, Bill and I met at 7:30 at Mud Lake. On Mud Lake we saw Wood Duck, Mallard and a Northern Shoveller out in the weedy area. Barb mentioned there had been two Pied-billed Grebes on the lake, so I checked it out with my scope and sure enough Pied-billed Grebe. Overhead we saw a Red-winged Blackbird chasing a great blue Heron. It stopped its chase once the Heron was over the water -- interesting how a small bird can put a chase on such a large bird.

We walked up the hill and there was very little to see. I think one of the more interesting sightings we saw were Cedar Waxwings, doing their courtship thing, one would perch so close to the other and I think just once gave her food. There was some flying around and then again perched close to each other. About this time Bill and Barb went back for rain gear, I gave my keys to Barb to get my umbrella. It was a thick mist to start with but then it turned to rain.

We went down the path to the bridge, along the way we heard a Tennessee Warbler and would it show itself, no. We walked the path to where we thought the Cooper's Hawk nest was, but we could not find it, the trees are now totally leafed out while last time there were no leaves, so it was easy to find. We walked over to the overlook and a Black-crowned Night-heron was in the water rather close, along with a mother Wood Duck and her six ducklings. About this time Lynne and Sami joined us. The Night-heron got chased away by a Canada Goose, so it was a bit further away and then he flew. Barb said she knew how to get to the Cooper's hawk nest, but we were unsuccessful at once again. We decided it was time to walk back. At the tall pines we heard Pine Warblers. A pair of Shovelers and Mallards were in the water close to the path, so lots of photos.

Once back at the road we decided we should walk toward the filtration plant. But first maybe a short walk to the river. A Great Blue Heron was very focused on fishing, ignoring everyone taking its photo. Barb and Lynne were a bit behind and when they walked the short path to the river they saw a couple of Ruby-crowned kinglets. We continued walking and a pair of Baltimore Orioles were spotted, such beautiful birds. Sami and Lynne left at this point and shortly afterwards Margaret left. At the point we scanned the Ring-billed Gulls for something different, we did not find any new Gulls. We walked behind the filtration plant to the Mud Lake and we were met by black fabric fencing. Bill said it was okay for us to step over it, so we did. At the water there was a small family of Canada Geese (2 little ones), the adult came toward us and hissed to let us know not to get too close. Her mate was taking a long bath in the water. All of a sudden the goose on the land took off to tell other Canada Geese on the lake to get lost, the little ones ran toward the other parent in the water. Quite close to the Canada Geese was a Muskrat foraging, once it got a huge mouthful of grass off it went, no doubt to feed the little ones.

We walked back to the vehicles, at this point Bill and Ian left us.