Ottawa Area Birding: Mud Lake is Alive with Warblers with JC Birding

April 30, 2025

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Alan, Carol, Barb C, Eleanor, Bill, Barbara and I met at Mud Lake. We walked down the road a bit to see swallows on some tree limbs, it was interesting how they would take off and then come back to the same branches. Were there enough insects to feed them? Later when it warmed up a bit (a bit of a joke because it was cold all day), the swallows were flying just above Mud Lake hawking on insects.

There were more than plenty of Yellowrumps warblers around, so beautiful in bright yellow, grey and white. Later in the morning we saw so many of them on the ground feeling insects. None of us had ever seen that behaviour.

We decided to walk the trail, because of the cold and the wind. We heard a Northern House Wren singing and when we found it, it was in plain sight, singing its little heart out. Down the trail we heard the big voice of the Carolina Wren, we walked toward the singing, but we could not find it. We came upon a small flock of Wild Turkeys feeding on some seeds left by someone. All were reluctant to walk near them as they can be aggressive. I don't share that opinion, as I lived on a poultry farm and we raised turkeys. I walked toward them and with an 'authoritative voice' told them to move on, at the same time I leaned over for a large stick and told them I would hit them if they did not move. They moved. The others just laughed at my strategy. When we reached the big stand of pines, we were all hoping to hear Pine Warbler, but I did not hear anything. Walking toward the bridge after some time of not seeing anything new, I suggested we turn around. Totally over ruled by the group and a good thing too. At the bridge we heard Pine Warblers, there were at least two. Barb C. was determined to find it and she did, not high in the pines, but low on a deciduous branch. Everyone got good views, Bill said his photo was a bit dark, but..... While Barb was looking for the Warbler, others saw a Brown-headed Cowbird.

Walking back, we ran into a group who was obviously looking at a bird, turns out it was a Nashville Warbler. The Carolina Wren was still singing and a kind gentleman pointed out where it was.

We checked out the ridge, a couple of trees were down from the storm the night before, but it did not stop us. Only birds we saw were Black-capped Chickadees, Yellow-rump Warblers and a single Black and White Warbler. Bill joined us and said there seems to be action at the pines.

Oh he was so right -- two Cape May Warblers were rather cooperative, staying on the outer branches letting us all have a good look. In a pine walking toward the filtration plant was a Black-throated Green Warbler. There were about 6 single Palm Warblers seen at various places, mixed in with the Yellow-rumps. We walked over to the other side of the filtration plant and a Muskrat went swimming by. Bill spotted a Great Blue Heron. On the way back to the car we saw a beautiful Northern Parula. There were many Canada Geese eating the grass, now I have a great respect for those birds -- their bill and tongue are serrated -- they pack a mean pinch, I give them a wide berth.

We spent 5 hours at Mud Lake and we tallied about 40 species. On to Andrew Haydon Park. Seems Bill, Barbara and I were totally engrossed in conversation, we missed Andrew Haydon Park. We went on to the yacht club where we saw the Purple Martins, one House Sparrow and two Bufflehead.

When we arrived at the Andrew Haydon Park parking lot, Barb C and Eleanor were enjoying their lunch. We joined them having our lunch in the parking lot. It had warmed up, but it definitely was not warm. We saw Ring-neck Ducks, Lesser Scaup and more Bufflehead.

Barb left us as she had an early pick up of grandchildren. We drove slowly down Rifle Road, hoping we would hear Eastern Meadowlark, we did not. Eleanor, Alan and Carole heard a Brown Thrasher. We drove over to see the Osprey, one was on the nest and another was perched in a tree. Bill turns the vehicle around, stops, picks up his camera and the bird flies.

Shirley's Bay parking lot has changed with many barricades indicating how to park. Oh Shirley's Bay was excellent -- 2 Horned Grebes, 1 Red-throated Loon, 6 Common Loons and a Bald Eagle in the distance. The NCC in their infinite wisdom has done a massive cut of trees in the area behind the toilets.

Eleanor, Alan and Carole decided they would go to Moody Pond while Bill, Barbara and I went to Constance Creek. We were hoping to see Eastern Bluebirds and Eastern Meadowlarks, no luck in that department. On Berry sideroad, we hoped we would see a Swamp Sparrow or Field Sparrow, no luck there either. We stopped at the abandoned barn where we always see Eastern Bluebirds, I saw something in the distance, hoping it was a Bluebird. Bill said Kestrel, I said I could see the rose on its breast. I took the scope out, Bill was bang on and Jane has an active imagination.

At Constance Creek, the only new species was Blue-winged Teal. We met a very friendly guy, he told us exactly what was and all the birds he had seen that day. When I was leaving I introduced myself and he introduced himself - Igor - I told him I would remember his name because I have a cat named that. He said it was a good name for a cat.

Contacting Alan and Carole about their sightings, Carole gave me a good list -- Redhead, Hooded Merganser, Gadwall, Solitary Sandpiper, Green-wing Teal, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs. They definitely had better luck than us.

On the way home we spotted 2 excellent finds - Mourning Dove and Rock Pigeon.

All in all a excellent birding day tallying 69 species.

I got home around 5:45, no extra birding for me, I wanted to buy Cedar Mulch to spread in my garden the next day. And I am pleased to report 22 bags were spread with the help of my oldest grandson.

Thank you Bill and Barbara for your photos. Thank you Eleanor for doing the eBird list.