Ottawa Area Birding: Bill Mason Centre & Torbolton Ridge with JC Birding

July 15, 2025

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

We headed to Bill Mason Outdoor Centre to be greeted with a couple of Barn Swallows and a Chipping Sparrow. When we arrived we noticed a car down at the centre, it moved toward us, but not on the road, it drove on the sports track and then off to West Carleton High School. I asked Bill, are we going to do that, No was his response. We walked to the boardwalk, only to be disappointed, the boardwalk was closed. Darn. Bill suggested we check out the west side and it was open. But the east side has historically been so good, having both Virginia Rail and Sora. The west side was open, so we took it. The first bird we saw was a Marsh Wren, it flitted back and forth from one side of the boardwalk to the other, Such a cute little guy. He would perch on the railing for a second then take off, you had to be quick at capturing his image -- Bill was, I was not. We must have stayed 15 or 20 minutes. Onwards we saw Swamp Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and further down the boardwalk was an Alder Flycatcher singing. We got to the woods, which trail do we take? We opted for the longer one. Once in the woods we heard an Ovenbird with its booming voice singing 'Teacher, Teacher'.

We continued to the 'outdoor classroom', but first we checked the east boardwalk, yeah it was barricaded to prevent anyone from taking it. We sat for a while in the classroom and off we went back again. Barb C. always calls for the Northern Waterthrush, she did a couple of times and a very far away Waterthrush answered just the once. Both Barb and I heard it, but Eleanor nor Bill did not. But Bill had gone ahead of us. The Alder Flycatcher was in exactly the same spot as where we had seen it previously. Barb called the rail, but no response.

All in all we heard or saw 30 species of birds. The bugs were not too bad either. While we were in the forest Barb C pointed out a red 'flower' which turned out to be a Waxcap, a type of fungi. Many waxcap species are considered rare or threatened primarily due to habitat loss and changes in land management practices such as tree planting and intensive agriculture, We only saw the one.

Where to next. The plan was to go to Torbolton Ridge Road. Eleanor asked about Red-headed Woodpeckers? She needed both for this year's list. We headed to Torbolton Ridge Road. We each played the song many times as we walked the road. It was very hot walking. Barb C was the only one to see the little guy. Another Darn!!!

Where should we lunch, somewhere shady Barb C suggested. Bill found a place with enough shade for both vehicles. Bill and I were eating our lunch when Barb suggested it was okay to sit outside, no thanks we are staying in the air conditioned vehicle. We headed to Constance Bay, with a first stop to see if we could find an Eastern Meadowlark and a Bobolink. When we stopped I could hear a Meadowlark singing. I got out of the car and Barb was already out and she said there was one on the post. I banged on Bill's vehicle to tell him about the bird. He took the photos and then went looking for the Red-headed Woodpecker.

We did several roads in Constance Bay then Bill & I decided, no luck, we will leave. I received a text from Eleanor saying she and Barb were going to check out the trail beside the car. Bill said okay and off they went --Bill, Barb and Eleanor. I stayed in the car, my leg was bothering me, I had very little sleep the night before and therefore tired. I needed to rest a bit. Bill came back with a smile on his face, not only did they get the Red-headed Woodpeckers, but Yellowbellied Sapsucker and Hairy Woodpecker. He told me they saw the Red-headed Woodpeckers right away but they flew off, Eleanor stayed where they were originally seen and Bill went searching. Eleanor was rewarded.

We decided it was time to head home, via Vances Side Road, we stopped at the bridge and saw a Great Blue Heron fly off. Turned down Greenland then turned onto Thomas A Dolan Pky. We saw waterfowl for the first time -- Mallard, Wood Duck and Common Gallinule with babies. The Osprey nest was occupied by two juveniles and we saw a parent fly in with a fish in its talons. It dropped the fish into the nest and somehow a bit later it fell out of the nest. The parent did not try to retrieve it.

Next we went down Berry Sideroad in hopes we would see Green Heron. Only new bird added here was a Great Egret. The Osprey nest was occupied. We passed two more occupied Osprey nests on our way home. Bill remarked how the Osprey have done well in the past years.

Sometime in our travels Bill told me that they were going to remove the railroad bridge on Carling Ave between Rifle Road and Burke Road. I have always been uncomfortable with on coming travel going under the railroad bridge. We drove down Carling Ave and he said it will probably be the last time we will go under this bridge. Demolition is to start July 18 and as we neared the bridge, we saw that work had already started.

Meanwhile back at the Bowman's. Jane's car was the main attraction for the 2 hour show. Workers were running a cable across the Bowmans' front yard, under the driveway and under Jane's car. Jane's car was the main attraction for the 2 hour show. As seen from the photos they covered up the front of the car and worked under it. When I got back to the car, no dust, just looked like nothing had happened. I was very glad Barbara had decided to stay at home and she made sure nothing negative happened to the car. Thank you Barbara for the story and the photosl.