Ottawa Area Birding: 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.