February 13, 2025
We drove to Ridge Road, where we met Alan & Carol who were waiting for us. Anita was coming there too, so we kept in touch by phone to be sure she found us. We proceeded east on Ridge Road to where a couple of other vehicles were parked – a sure sign that we had found the location to search for a Great Gray Owl. Most of our group headed off on a well-trodden trail through the bush. Soon Anita arrived, and she and Bill joined the party. But the search was in vain. Barbara headed back to the road to check a feeder and the rest of us came back to our cars to warm up a bit.
We carried on east on Ridge Road to the parking lot. BarbC spread some seeds near the outhouse while the rest of us enjoyed the Black-capped Chickadees, Hairy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, American Tree Sparrows and Mourning Doves. Bill also spotted a Dark-eyed Junco.
Time to move on to Dolman Ridge Road. Here we found all of the same species and added Downy Woodpecker and White-breasted Nuthatch.
Alan & Carol decided that they would leave us to attend to appointments. Our next destination would be Giroux Road with a stop at the Navan Arena. Since we had four in the Bowman SUV and Anita by herself, BarbC kindly jumped in with Anita at this point to keep her company and welcome her to our birding group.
We hoped for Snowy Owls or Snow Buntings on Giroux, but there were none. BarbC did see a feeder full of American Goldfinches near the Dunning intersection. There were plenty of Crows and we did hear a Common Raven at this point. Then Ian spotted it. Eleanor had to get back home too, so she and Ian left us as well.
We decided to head to the roads east of Casselman. Bill suggested going through Larose Forest, but the others vetoed it due to the expected lack of birds and likely poor road conditions. So, we went by Russell Road to Bourget, then south on #8, skirting Larose Forest. After quite a drive, we took Co Rd 3 to St. Rose, then south to Conc. 21. There were almost no birds until we came to a house with feeders that had a sizeable flock of Snow Buntings. Yeah, finally something to cheer us up! Mixed in were many House Sparrows.
We proceeded to the Burger King truck stop, where we had our lunch and discussed the Trump/Musk situation.
Bill told the group that we would check the remaining Concession Roads, then call it a day. We started with Conc. 20, and Barbara spotted the only raptor of the day – a perched Bald Eagle. Then we came to Desnoyers. The sign said NOT WINTER MAINTAINED, but it looked fine, so Bill led the way. Big mistake. The snow drifts got deeper and deeper and before we were half way along, we had to stop. Bill got out, looked at the deep snow ahead, and declared that we would have to retreat. He asked Anita if she had 4-wheel drive – she did not! But like a real trooper, she executed a three-point turn and drove right out of there. Bill followed suit. Phew!
We tried Concs. 17 and 19, but there were simply no birds. Time to head for home. BarbC got back into Bill’s SUV, and we headed west on 417, Anita to home, and the rest of us to Elmvale Acres. BarbC decided to go the Earl Armstrong Road to try for the Short-eared Owls that Eleanor told us about. When she got there, Alan & Carol were also present. As the light grew dim, two owls were seen in the distance. Success!
Meanwhile Bill & Barbara decided to drive Guy home, which was an adventure in itself during rush hour. After dropping Guy, they took the Champlain Bridge, where they spotted several Common Goldeneyes in the river as they made the crossing.
We got 17 species, which was not too bad for the time of year, but the important thing was that we had a great time birding with our friends. We all missed Jane who was stuck at home nursing a painful knee injury. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Species Noted
1. American Crow
2. Rock Pigeon
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Mourning Dove
5. Downy Woodpecker
6. Hairy Woodpecker
7. American Tree Sparrow
8. Dark-eyed Junco
9. Blue Jay
10. Common Raven
11. White-breasted Nuthatch
12. American Goldfinch
13. Snow Bunting
14. House Sparrow
15. Bald Eagle
16. Common Goldeneye
17. Short-eared Owl
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