Ottawa Area Birding: Mud Lake to Shirley's Bay with JC Birding

April 21, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Driving down Greenbank Road to meet Bill, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk perched on a light standard. I have noticed it probably everytime I go down the road. I guess it is good hunting for him.

Eleanor, Kan, Bill and I met at Mud Lake at 7:30. The first bird we heard singing was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, we walked into the wooded area beside the lake, but could not find it. When we walked out onto the lawn area, it was flitting around like Kinglets do. While walking over to the evergreens we noticed a Canada Goose with a strange looking neck. We had several theories, I looked it up - it is likely a Wry Neck, a neurological condition characterized by a severe twist in the neck. It is commonly caused by Vitamin E deficiencies, trauma or congenital issues. Affected birds may struggle with movement and feeding but can survive if they can eat. This bird appeared to have no issues with eating. Generally it is not considered a direct inherited genetic disease.

We walked over to the tall evergreens where we heard Pine Warblers, and decided it was in the tree closest to the water. Eleanor spotted it, but none of us could see it. With persistence everyone had good views of it when it flew to a small evergreen. By that time I went wandering and found nothing. While we were doing that, an emergency vehicle with its lights one and pulling a rescue boat came screaming down the road. Mmm hope that is a drill, but then why are the lights on. A bit later another one appeared. When I went back to the group the Pine Warbler was very considerate and let the photographers take photos of it.

We saw a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers and many Dark-eyed Juncos were flying around. We eventually found our way to the ridge, where we found many, many Red-winged Blackbirds, mainly males. Of course the ubiquitous Black-capped Chickadees were around hoping for a handout. We had several flyovers of Waxwing -- we had a discussion of what the large flock was called. We came up with various names, but none were correct one -- an ear-full or a museum of waxwings. Their constant high-pitched trills (hence ear-full) and their refined, artistic appearance (museum). But we did not hear the high-pitch. Later we saw a tree with maybe 15 Bohemian Waxwings eating fruits. Still much later we did see Cedar Waxwings perched on trees. At this point Richard joined us.

We went to the end of the ridge and to find out the 'puddle of water' at the gate was too deep for most of us, so we turned around. No new birds. We walked to the trail, finally we saw Wood Ducks - 2 males and 1 female. One male definitely thought she was his. We watched a bit of a scuffle between the two males and of course she paid no attention. Walking a bit further we found there was water on the trail, so we took the west trail. There were lots of Siberian Squills flowering, while it is invasive, they are still quite pretty and a sure sign of spring. We saw American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, and more Waxwings. Richard pointed out a single Waxwing and he kept saying look for the broken branch, yes I could not see it and then when I did, felt a bit embarrassed because it was so obvious. Some Wild Turkeys came along. While Eleanor and I were chatting, she noticed a bird -- Hermit Thrush -- good one Eleanor, We looked up almost to the top of the tree where we saw 2 Purple Finches, beautiful birds. We saw both White-breasted and Red breasted Nuthatches (1). At this point the guys walked ahead of Eleanor and me. Eleanor was focused on seeing a Rusty Blackbird. We heard it or was it them? We walked toward the sound which was close to the viewing platform. We got glimpses of the Rusty Blackbirds, then better views. They were skulking around in the bushes. Eleanor heard a Fox Sparrow, but we were not successful at finding it. We heard Pine Warblers high in the evergreens, but since we saw Pine Warblers really well, no effort was spent looking for these.

We decided we should try and catch up to the men. They reported seeing Rusty Blackbirds, many Downy Woodpeckers and White-crowned Sparrows. We were asked, did you see the Turkey Vulture, Eleanor and I were focused on ground level, so no we did not see the TV, but we saw some later in the day. Bill saw a beaver and we all saw Midland Painted Turtles, sunning themselves. In my opinion it was not sunny at all and those turtles were wishful thinking. Walking back, we noticed a lot more Yellow-rumped Warblers, we thought the Yellow-rumps were arriving as we were leaving. Yay. We also got more glimpses of the Hermit Thrush.

Back at the cars, we saw many Tree Swallows hawking insects over the lake. The time was around noon, so we decided we would take out lunch at Andrew Haydon Park. Eleanor, Bill and Richard ate outside, hardy souls, Ian and I decided the car was just fine for us.

The only bird on the water was a Double-crested Cormorant, showing his double crest, which they show exclusively during breeding seasons. We walked over to the Yacht Club with the hopes of seeing the Snowy Owl that was there yesterday. Nope. No Purple Martins. Leaving Andrew Hayden, Richard and Ian and then the rest of us walked to the pond -- Ring-necked Duck and Bufflehead. Near the pond there were 2 Groundhogs munching away on the grass. They must know something, normally they emerge when there are consistently warm temperatures. Well I can't say we have had consistently warm temperatures. Maybe Groundhogs are optimists!!!

We then went to P2 to look for a Brown Thrasher. Walking about 1/2 K we played the song, no response, we walked a bit further and played it again, yes we got a response. Unfortunately it was in the bushes, yes we saw it, but I am unsure if any one got a photo. The Chorus Frogs and Wood Frogs were singing for all to hear.

Next was Shirley's Bay - Wow we got a single Blue Jay going down Rifle Road. No Wrens and no Meadowlarks. The Osprey is back on the nest at the Rifle range inside DND property. We checked out the water at Shirley's Bay, nothing new. We tried for Wren, but no response.

Time to go home. We saw two white-tailed deer on the way home. Eleanor reported she and Richard saw a Northern Harrier as she left Rifle Road -- lucky them.

I was home about 4:30.