Ottawa Area Birding: Cobden Area with JC Birding

June 20, 2024

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

There was a very unusual sighting on this trip, not the bird, but how the bird was sighted. Ken saw a Ruby-crowned Hummingbird out the side window as it flew by the car and he said he saw it so very clearly. We were all amazed.

We stopped at the pond just before Cobden, the last time we were there the only birds we saw were Canada Goose and Red-winged Blackbirds. This time it was totally different, first up a Green Heron fishing, we saw it catch a fish and then another (we saw at least 3 Green Herons during the day). Then two Virgina Rails were spotted and in the sky a Bald Eagle. As we were about to leave a female Mallard and her brood came into view. At the boat launch we saw a few Common Terns, heard Red-eyed Vireo, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch and a Great Blue Heron.

At the Ross Road Swamp, we were greeted with the Trumpeter Swan family, all 9 of them . I was so glad that none of the cygnets had been anyone's lunch. We got out of the vehicle quickly and rushed over to take photos. Really rushing over was not necessary, the family stayed around all the time we were there. The cygnets must be at least 2 months old. Now for some swan trivia -- males are called cobs, females pens and a group of swans can be referred to by different nouns -- when in flight a wedge or a flight, also a bevy, a bank or a herd. They have a 8 foot wingspan but larger males can have a wingspan up to10 feet. Swans mate for life - if Pen dies, the Cob usually do not find another partner but Pens do find another mate. Clutch size is usually 4 to 6 eggs, so the Ross Road Swans have a slightly larger than normal size of a family. Incubation time is about 32 to 37 days and the cygnets stay around for about 6 months when the parents chase them away. Breeding does not happen until they reach 4 to 7 years. Average life time in the wild is 12 years, but in a protected environment can reach 30 years. Enough swan trivia.

Just opposite the swans a Common Gallinule was very close to the road, maybe 10 - 12 feet away from us. Its concern was preening, so it did not pay attention to us.

Once we got our fill of the swans, we started walking the road. The Marsh Wrens were singing and so much easier to see than the last visit. They must be between raising the next brood. I guess the males are telling the females what good singers they are!!

While walking back to the vehicle, Kayla let Bill know there was Least Bittern flying. We were so lucky, we got to see three Least Bitterns during the day. One that seemed to be flying directly toward the road to where some of us were standing, then a sharp right landed not too far away from us and then disappeared into the reeds. Their bright buffy colour is so distinctive.

We walked to where we have been successful at seeing the Sora, but before getting there a Eastern Kingbird nest was spotted, with 2 babies in it. The parents were close by and did fly in to feed them. The babies are very close to fledging (see photos). Then we went to see if we could find a Sora. Bill played Sora and who should appear was a Virginia Rail who walked up very close to Barbara and Kayla. One Virginia Rail even walked to the other side of the swamp (see photos).

Time to move on, so we decided to check out the other side of the swamp. While stopping, we looked at the little creek and a Great Blue Heron was spotted. Then a Green Heron flew up from very close to the vehicle. Guess it was not interested in our conversation.

At some point in the day Bill said we would do a second pass of Ross Road but we would not stop unless we saw something good. We saw Common Gallinule babies, little puff balls. We stopped and Bill and Ken took photos. The Gallinules swam quickly and out of sight in no time.

We had our lunch at Lac Dore beach. Not one single bird on the lake.

We decided we would go to Osceola dump. No problem finding it. On the way there we heard Ovenbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler and House Wren. The field beside the road going to the dump was full of singing Eastern Meadowlarks, just love their song "spring of the yeeear". Walking toward the dump I saw something high in the sky, I yelled to Kayla and Ken, high in the sky and I pointed. But they were at the bottom of the hill and there were tall trees. Thank goodness they kept watching and the bird flew over the road. What I saw was striped and broad wings. We all came to the conclusion it was Broad-winged Hawk. We walked the road beside the dump, seeing lots of Common Ravens and Turkey Vultures. I got distracted looking at butterflies, flowers and such. The others walked on, then Barbara and Kayla decided to walk back and I joined them. Bill and Ken eventually returned and reported seeing a Northern Cardinal and two Brown-headed Cowbirds. The Cowbirds were with some cows, imagine that.. Ken spotted two Kestrels on the hydro line and I heard "fire, fire, where, where, here, here". I turned and saw an Indigo Bunting on a hydro line near the dump. I said to Kayla, turn around and look at the line, you owe me $10. She was happy to see the Indigo Bunting as it had eluded her on many birding outings. We all eventually got back in the vehicle and of course we saw some more interesting action in the sky, it turned out a Cooper's Hawk was being harassed by a Kestrel. Oh isn't nature intriguing.

Time to go home, Bill, we have had a request for ice cream. Ok, we will stop in Cobden. The shop is closed Wednesday and Thursday, Kayla checked where the nearest ice cream places were, Shawville or Renfrew. Not going to Quebec, Bill opted for Renfrew. On the way to Renfrew a big bird was seen high in the sky, "stop the car Bill, get out Ken". Gee I can get bossy, but it had to be done quickly, here is hoping Ken can identify the big bird. Thank you Kayla for treating us all to ice cream cones -- delicious. While we were enjoying the cones, I noticed two pigeons getting it on, forplay and the nasty deed. Took maybe a minute in total.

On the way home on the 417 close to Ottawa, we saw a lot (maybe 20 or 30) of motorcycle police with lights flashing. Bill thought maybe some sort of honour guard.

Home by 6:15 and out of the house by 6:30 to watch a soccer game.

Thanks Bill for driving and thank you Bill and Barbara for the photos.