Carleton Place to Calabogie with JC Birding

 January 27, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

While driving to the meet up place, I received a call from Ken saying there had been an accident on the Queensway and he would be a bit late but to go ahead, he would catch up to us.  We picked Eleanor up at the Eagleson Park & Ride and off we went to Carleton Place.  We hadn't been on the road for more than 5 minutes when Ken phoned, saying traffic was fine after he passed the accident.  We told him where we were headed and he said he would meet us at the arena.

Bill got off highway 417 and drove to Cavanaugh Rd.  Not far down the road we saw a hawk or was it an owl on the hydro line.  The road is such that we had to drive quite a bit to be able to turn around.  Luckily for us when we returned the bird was still there --- Barred Owl.  I was the only one who could take photos.  We pulled up closer for Bill to take photos the bird flew.  Never have I ever seen a Barred Owl on a hydro line.

We  got to the arena and Ken was waiting for us.  He had seen the owl but he kept driving.  We wanted to check the water because some birds had been reported.  We had to walk gingerly down a small hill to get to the path.  We walked and we walked and asked walkers if the water was open up ahead.  Yes.  So we walked some more.  The first birds we saw were two Common Mergansers, up ahead maybe 15 Mallards, in further up a Trumpeter Swan, but it swam around the island, we could not see it.  We walked back and we got to see three Trumpeter Swans - 2 adults and a cygnet.  

My, it was cold  -14 and a bit of a breeze - my toes were saying I need to warm up.  My face was very cold.  I headed for the car to wait for the others.  Thank goodness the arena was open, we  used the facilities and warmed up a bit. Once semi-warmed up, we were back in the car.  I think it was at Clayton we saw lots of Blue Jays.  And a flock of Rock Pigeons huddled together on a roof.

We drove some roads and saw absolutely nothing except pretty countryside.  Ken pulled up beside Bill and suggested we try a small road he thought looked good,  At a feeder we saw some Black-capped Chickadees and one White-breasted Nuthatch.  Eleanor says to us I am seeing what I think are Grosbeaks - sure enough 8 Evening Grosbeaks.  Thank you Eleanor.  Thank you Ken for suggesting the road.

Drove some more roads and what we saw were Common Raven generally in pairs.  We must have seen 12 or 14 of them during the course of the day.

Bill it's time for lunch - I only ask one thing: find us a place that is birding.  Tall order.  Bill said I know a place - a place near White Lake.  Frankly I have no idea how Bill knows these places, I guess it's  his many years of paddling every lake and river in Ontario (that might be a slight exaggeration).   No birds though.

After lunch we headed to Panmure, but before we went there, a very important stop - Antrim Truck stop for goodies.  Of course it did not disappoint, each one of us bought some type of scone.

Luck was with us in seeing the Western Meadowlark.  No waiting, it was chowing down when we got there. Once out of the vehicle, we frightened some Wild Turkeys who were also chowing down the seeds that had been left for the Meadowlark,  They flew off and perched on some far off trees.

We were checking out the area, when Bill says it is there, near the straw bales.  All it did while we were there was eat,  It needs a lot of fuel to keep warm with the temperatures we are experiencing,  But many people have left seeds.  While we were waiting this big truck hauling something behind us went flying by and came close to us, spraying us all with wet snow.  He was the only person who was inconsiderate, others drove on the other side of the road and had slowed down.  Some people are well you know...   One guy stopped and said I have driven by here and I see people here all the time, what is that you are looking for - we told him, he was interested and then drove away.   After a few minutes an American Tree Sparrow and two Dark-eyed Juncos came in, so the Meadowlark has some friends -- if birds have friends.

Back at the park & ride by 3ish.  We all thought we had a great day even with the cold.  But you have heard me say every day one goes birding is a great day.

Bird Sightings

1. White-breasted Nuthatch
2. Barred Owl
3. Common Merganser
4. Mallard
5. Trumpeter Swan
6. American Crow
7. Blue Jay
8. Rock Pigeon
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Evening Grosbeak
11. Common Raven
12. Red-tailed Hawk
13. European Starling
14. Wild Turkey
15.  Western Meadowlark
16. Dark-eyed Junco
17. American Tree Sparrow

Bohemian Waxwings at Richard & Pat's

 January 25, 2026

Richard altered us to a flock of Bohemians in his backyard and on the adjacent street.  In spite of the cold temperature and poor photography conditions, we decided to go because the prospects for improvements in the near term were not good.  The flock had grown to over 100 attracted to a neighbour's large juniper tree laden with berries.  We managed a few shots, wishing for better lighting.

As I said, it was cold and Richard kindly invited us in for tea and goodies.  We enjoyed swapping stories with him and Pat.

Montreal European Robin with JC Birding

 January 23, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Bill, Barbara and I met Guy at 7:15 at Carlingwood Shopping Centre.  He did not know how long it would take for him to get there via taxi, he waited for us in the cold for 45 minutes, needless to say he was very cold when we picked him up.  Traffic wasn't too bad all the way to Montreal, there we encountered traffic.  On the way to Montreal we saw a lone Wild Turkey and saw 3 Bald Eagles,

We were on Ave Rougemont around 9:45.  There were people photographing, oh maybe that was the Robin, nope Northern Mockingbird.  It flew and the people moved to the corner, where the cedar trees were.  We walked over and there was a guy who said the European  Robin had been there but had flown over the wall.  All I could see was House Sparrow Bill suddenly saying there it is, I saw it briefly.  Then another man said it's near the suet, where is that? near the ground, I saw it but very briefly.

Another guy was on the right of us, up the street a bit.  We all joined him.  My goodness the bird just sat there for all to see and posed for us for at least 10 minutes.  We all took lots of photos.  Everyone had smiles on their faces.  We started to walk away, Barbara said I should take a photo, I suggested we go back closer to the bird to include it in our photo.  My hands had warmed up a bit so I took more photos of the bird.  Then it flew up and I thought away, no Bill said, it flew under the vehicle.  When we left we were all so happy seeing the bird so easily and really on a cold day we did not freeze our rears.  Of course if we had gone done today (saturday) we really would have frozen our rears.  I wonder how long the bird will survive in this very cold snap we are encountering.

Some history of this little Robin - first time it has been seen in Canada, it appeared January 7.  It is thought to have come over from Europe on a transatlantic ship or blown off course by strong winds.  Experts suggest it may have hitched a ride on a freighter to the port of Montreal during fall migration.  I guess the little Robin is the only one who knows how it got here.  It is hanging around a flock of House Sparrows.  European Robins are normally found throughout Europe, western Asia, North Africa and Atlantic islands like the Azores.  They prefer dense cover, hedgerows, parks and gardens.  Guess that it is why it has been seen in the cedars at the end of Rougemont.   Bill, Barbara and I have seen it before but it was a lifer for Guy. 

We went to Tim Hortons to celebrate with a warm drink and some food.  Wow we really celebrate high on the hog!!

It was still early so what should we do, well why not bird Casselman area.  Off we went. 

Bill sighted Snow Buntings very quickly after turning off the 417.  We saw several flocks of them while we birded the area.  We hoped to see Snowy Owls, we were slowly driving down a road when I spotted something white.  Stop and back up, yes on the intersected road I saw a Snowy Owl flying,  We went after it, but unfortunately for us, we did not see it again.  We drove several roads, not even a Rough-legged or Northern Harrier.  Time for lunch, we went off to the lagoon not far from St Isidore.  We stopped to see the open water. A farmer has a mechanism that blows air into the water and it bubbles up, keeping a small area open, there we saw maybe 5 Canada Geese resting on the ice.   Bill drove up closer to the gate and parked, where we started our lunch.  Barbara said there is something moving over there near the fence.  Wow, she spotted 3 River Otters, can they move fast on the snow, I think they were headed to the open water.  Bill took some photos while Guy jumped out of the car.  All of a sudden the otters stopped and moved to where they came from, then abruptly changed course away from us.  What a good find.  Thank you Barbara.

Bill thought we should start looking for Short-eared Owls, but unfortunately we did not see any.  On the way to the 417, I spotted a big bird - I followed one while Bill was photographing another, I did not realize there were two. The one Bill was following gave us such great views of it as it flew over the vehicle.  Too bad it was so close to the car, no photos, but amazing eye views.

Maybe 5 minutes after we got on the 417, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree.  Last bird of the day.  Bill very kindly drove Guy home and then me.  Thank you for doing all the driving, it is appreciated by all.

Not all that many species were seen, but such a great day, we all were happy to see the European Robin and the Northern Mockingbird.

Critters Noted

1. River Otter

Species Noted

1. Wild Turkey
2. Bald Eagle
3. House Sparrow
4. Northern Mockingbird
5. European Robin
6. European Starling
7. Rock Pigeon
8. American Goldfinch
9. Hairy Woodpecker
10. Black-capped Chickadee
11. Dark-eyed Junco
12. Snow Buntings
13. Common Raven
14. American Crow
15. Snowy Owl
16. Canada Goose
17. Red-tailed Hawk
18. Mourning Dove

Amherst Island with JC Birding

 January 13, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Ian, Richard, Barb C. Bill, Barbara and I left Nepean at 7:00 a.m. we wanted to get the 9:30 ferry.  On the way we saw Wild Turkey, American Crow, European Starling, Canada, Geese, Red-tailed Hawk and Pileated Woodpecker.

We got to the Millhaven Ferry Dock around 9:10, we then checked out what was on the water - Common Goldeneye, Mallard and Red-breasted Merganser and flybys of Canada Geese.  We got back in our vehicles and drove onto the ferry. Once the ferry was underway, we were out of the vehicles to check out what was on the water -- Long-tail Duck shouted Bill -- 5 or 6 of them flew by.  Closer to the Amherst Island Ferry dock - we saw Trumpeter Swan, Mallard and Canada Geese and oh my gosh, 2 Long-tail Duck up close and personal.  They were not bothered at all by the ferry coming in.

Once off the ferry we drove to Front Street and made a left and started our great day on Amherst.  We stopped at most of the bird feeders.  The first feeder had a good number of healthy looking House Sparrows.  On the water we saw a small flock of Common Goldeneye along with some Common Mergansers and Swans.  A couple of us decided to get out and walk a bit, Barbara and I were talking and she said you often see more if you walk -- look -- a Red Fox ran across the field to the road, stopped and then ran across the road to another field and disappeared. Back in the vehicles and a bit further down the road, we saw at least 15 Mourning Doves sunning themselves.

We saw our first Red-tailed Hawk on the island, then Rough-legged Hawk and finally a Northern Harrier.  We saw several of each species while on the island,  We kept our eyes out looking for that lone Snowy Owl that was seen on the CBC but unfortunately did not see it. Turning onto South Shore Road we saw a Herring Gull and several small flocks of Common Goldeneye.  Further on we saw Bufflehead.  We continued on South Shore Road to the very end, seeing more House Sparrows and a single American Goldfinch.  

Back to Stella 40 ft and turning on to Concession 3, a Hairy Woodpecker and an American Tree Sparrow was seen.  And somewhere in our travels, Bill photographed a Savannah Sparrow, an excellent sighting for mid January.  We decided we would have lunch in the Beach Road parking lot.   Richard remarked that there was really nothing to see in the way of birds, yes we had water views but that is all.   Just as lunch was winding down,  he said "walking on the stony beach there are two Ring-necked Pheasant".  I put up my bins ever so fast, yes I saw them.  Ian was not so lucky and the others had left to continue birding on the road.  Ian and Richard got out with their cameras to see if they could get a photo, nope, the birds had walked off the beach and into the wooded area.    No doubt the pheasant were put on the island for hunting purposes.

 

I texted Barb to find out where they were, we caught up to them after seeing a large flock of turkeys (50+).  Ian and Richard were not interested in taking any photos of them.  We finally caught up with Bill, Barb and Barbara and off we went again.  On our travels a Cooper's Hawk flew over the vehicles. and I think we saw the Northern Shrike on Front Street.  Off we went to see if we would be lucky to find the Short-eared Owls.  The time was about 3:30, nope, no luck there, but it was a bit early, but the sun was going down.

We caught the ferry back at 4:00.

Good birding 36 species is always excellent in mid January. I think everyone will agree we always enjoy  time on Amherst Island.

Species Noted

1. American Crow
2. Common Goldeneye
3. Mallard
4. Wild Turkey
5. Pileated Woodpecker
6. Red-tailed Hawk
7. Rock Pigeon
8. European Starling
9. Canada Goose
10. Ring-billed Gull
11. Red-breasted Merganser
12. Redhead
13. Long-tail Duck
14. Trumpeter Swan
15. Bald Eagle
16. House Sparrow
17. Downy Woodpecker
18. Black-capped Chickadee
19. Mourning Dove
20. Mute Swan
21. Herring Gull
22. Common Raven
23. Rough-legged Hawk
24. Northern Harrier
25. Bufflehead
26. Hooded Merganser
27. American Goldfinch
28. Tundra Swan
29. Hairy Woodpecker
30. American Tree Sparrow
31. White-breasted Nuthatch
32. Savannah Sparrow (Bill reported it on ebird)
33. Ring-necked Pheasant
34. Cooper's Hawk
35. Northern Shrike
36. Hooded Merganser

Critters Noted

1. Red Fox
2. White-tail Deer