Ottawa Area Birding

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Mud Lake to Carleton Place with JC Birding

August 5, 2025

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Bill and I started birding at 7:00, we drove to Shirley's Bay. First we drove over to see if the Osprey nest was still occupied, it was not. Returning to Rifle Road we saw a Double-crested Cormorant fly over. Driving into the parking lot we saw a guy with white hair - Mark P and he told us lots of Ring-billed Gulls and a couple of Caspian Terns. We walked over to see the terns and to take a few photos. We remarked that Mark had just a pair of shorts on and a short sleeve shirt, it was quite cool, on our return he had put on a hoodie. Three Caspian Terns to start our day. Great.

When we were driving down Carling Ave toward the DND property, we saw this guy riding a bike with just a pair of shorts on and his arms behind his back, I guess he was enjoying the cool air!!!. Strange and just too cold for that. At the main DND pond there were just a couple of Mallards, on the east side of the building in the river side, we saw Killdeer and Bill saw a Green Heron. We checked to see if the Purple Martins were still hanging around, nope they were gone. Leaving the Nepean Sailing Club we saw a Great Egret standing in the water.

I had received a text from Guy saying he was at Mud Lake. We headed there. Guy, Eleanor and Ken had arrived. Ken was birding on the berm while Guy and Eleanor were catching up. When I got out of the vehicle I asked Bill who was making that sound? I don't know, but Merlin did -- Northern Flicker. I could not locate it in the big tree beside the path, that is because it was not there. It was in a dead tree on the other side of the road. Guy indicated he saw both Eastern Phoebe and Eastern Wood-pewee. There were Wild Turkeys just at the head of the path with a couple of good sized poults.

We started up the berm and once on the path we separated. Amongst the five of us we saw Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rump Warbler, American Redstart, Cedar Waxwing, House Finch and a Downy Woodpecker up close and personal. Eleanor pointed out a single Chimney Swift flying about in circles. Ian joined us around 8:30. He saw a family of House Finches. We wandered down to the water hoping to see some shorebirds, nope just Mallards and Canada Geese,

Guy and I walked over to the Filtration Plant gardens and beyond. On Mud Lake we saw many Wood Ducks and heard a Great Crested Flycatcher singing. The conversation was not about birds but perennial flowers I could plant in my front flower bed. Guy is our flower expert.

Walking back to the parking lot, we noticed that Sami, Lynne and Connie had arrived. When we almost got there a large bird flew over, I asked Bill Black-crowned Nightheron, he said yes. Then we saw a Great Blue Heron not too far away in Mud Lake. I asked Connie are you up to walking the path? just a bit she said. Okay that is what we will do.

We stopped to watch the Wood Ducks and the Mallards, those male Wood Ducks aren't as gorgeous as in peak breeding season, but still are quite special. A bit further down the trail we all stopped to watch two American Goldfinch gather silk from the spent Thistle flowers. They use this to line their nest, making their nest especially soft for their little ones. I did notice that the female Goldfinch was gathering much more silk than he was, Ian said the male's job was to supervise, mmmmm, no comment.

Guy and Lynne saw a White Tail Deer chase one of the Wild Turkeys, guess the Wild Turkey was annoying it somehow. We thought initially there was only one turkey but several adults came out of the woods. Walking onwards we saw some American Redstarts. I decided to turn around at this time. But Bill, Guy and Ian kept going, unfortunately for Bill he turned around before the other two were rewarded by seeing a very cooperative juvenile Cooper's Hawk and a Green Heron. On the way back Sami photographed a Chestnut-sided Warbler and Connie captured a Baltimore Oriole. I was walking with Lynne when she pointed out this tiny little moth/butterfly on the ground. I took a photo and I blew it up and so the photo is not that sharp, but it gives you a good visual. The moth is a Chestnut-marked Pondweed Moth -- the wingspan is 20 mm or .787 inch, so tiny. Lynne is an excellent spotter,she lifted it off the path so it would not get stepped on. I heard a Carolina Wren singing but not its usual song.

We finally all got together at the trailhead and discussed where to go next. Sami, Connie and Lynne left us at this point. It was good to see them. Eleanor thought it would be good to go to Richmond Lagoons, but we decided upon Carleton Place Storm Pond because the recent reports listed the shorebirds we all wanted to see. Bill gave them directions for the back way to get to the Storm Pond. Guy opted to leave his bike locked up at Mud Lake and carpool with Ian. Eleanor and Ken carpool. When we got there Colin G. told us what was at the pond, he was so helpful. Great the Stilt and Baird's Sandpipers were still there, all the other birds were a bonus.

Out came the scopes, I decided I would bring mine today because we would be looking at shorebirds and if not through a scope then its quite difficult to see differences in the shorebirds.. Who am I trying to kid it's difficult even when looking through a scope. Bill stopped not far from where we entered, he had a Semipalmated and a Spotted Sandpiper. It took me a while with my bins to find them. I went back up the trail to retrieve my scope and looked at them through it. Still difficult. Eleanor and Ken arrived to join the conversation. Ian and Guy had gone down the trail, Guy had a good view of a Garter Snake.

I walked over to where the Stilt Sandpipers had been seen. I found what I thought were two Yellowlegs, with dirty legs. Yeah shorebird challenged me, those were the Stilt Sandpipers. Once I saw the photos on the computer screen, the difference was obvious. Eleanor and Ian walked a good distance about 2/3 around the pond and got decent views of all the birds on the pond. as well. Bill and I were not up to walking that far, we looked like the walking wounded.

All in all I believe we saw Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Baird Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe, Green Heron, Blue-wing Teal, Green-wing Teal, Trumpeter Swan, Great Egret and a Common Raven.

Time to have lunch, Colin and Matthew M. were still talking and were happy to hear we saw all the birds he told us about. Bill and I went off to a picnic area and I let the others know where we were. By this time my leg was bothering me big time. Guy and Ian scarfed down their lunch and left, Guy wanted to be back at Mud Lake for 2:00. Ian and Eleanor joined us and we had a good conversation. At the end of the conversation we decided it was time to go home.

Another good day of birding. And Guy got two likers today - Stilt and Baird's Sandpiper. His list is growing, that is if he keeps a list.

Species Noted

Wild Turkey
European Starling
American Crow
Ring-billed Gull
Black-capped Chickadee
Northern Cardinal
Song Sparrow
Caspian Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Common Raven
Blue Jay
Canada Goose
Mallard
Green Heron
Killdeer
American Goldfinch
American Robin
Great Egret
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Redstart
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Cedar Waxwing
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-crested Flycatcher
Cooper's Hawk
Osprey
Baltimore Oriole
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Wood-pewee
Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Nightheron
Chimney Swift
Tree Swallow
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
House Finch
Common Grackle
Carolina Wren
House Sparrow
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Wilson's Snipe
Rock Pigeon
Blue-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal
Greater Yellowlegs
Trumpeter Swan
Eastern Kingbird
Canada Goose
Turkey Vulture

Critter Noted

Leopard Frog
Garter Snake
White-tail Deer
Muskrat

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Panmure to McDonald's Corners with JC Birding

July 29, 2025

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Ian, Barbara, Bill and Jane carpooled. While driving down the 417, Bill asked me if I had any planned route, Nope was my response, but Panmure Road sounds like a good starting point. Sounds good, says Bill. First birds we saw on Panmure were Wild Turkey far off in the field, We slowed down a bit when we passed the place where the Mountain Bluebird hung out for a couple of days. We stopped at Dwyer Hill by Road and on the road was a Killdeer, it seemed fascinated by the yellow paint on the road. We then saw Eastern Meadowlark, on the grass near the dirt road. We drove closer, it flew, darn. Back on Panmure, the Killdeer was still there with three young ones. Overhead we saw a few Barn Swallows.

We slowed down to look at a bird on the wire, I set my bins on birds on the hydro line on Rock Coady Terrance. I looked and looked, trying to figure out what they were, then one of the birds turned and the sun was perfect. Bluebirds, bluebirds, I get so excited sometimes. We drove slowly on the road, hoping the birds would not fly, sometimes they flew other times they would sit still. I am sure Barbara and Bill got some great photos. I did not because I was on the wrong side, I did get a chance on the way back, but my photos were too dark and the birds were just too far away. But we saw at least four of them.

We drove on and had stopped because a bird flew over the road, with the flight pattern it was obviously a woodpecker. I located it for a split second then it flew. Ian then located it, but again off it went. I located it for a few seconds and I said Black-backed Woodpecker. Bill responded by saying that it is awfully rare.. I checked my Sibley's app and said no, not a Black-backed Woodpecker but an American Three-toed Woodpecker. I saw the black wings and the black and white back. But because of Bill's reluctance at the sighting ( I respect his birding knowledge), the bird is not counted on the Species noted, but just written afterwards.

At another stop we watch an Eastern Bluebird being chased by an Eastern Kingbird. It must have been protecting its nesting sites. Kingbirds are known for their aggressive behaviour toward other birds protecting their space and resources, And they look like such calm,pretty birds.

We drove down Concession 12 road. This road has fond memories for us, we saw a pair of Sandhill Cranes there a couple of years ago. When we turned, there was a Brown Thrasher on the road, we stopped and were about to get out and the bird disappeared into the long grass. There were lots of American Crows, and we discussed a murder of crows or in this case would it be a massacre of crows. At the end of the road, we all got out and decided to walk further down the road. Barbara and I were the slow ones and I decided not to go that way, the road turned into a rough path for me and I did not want to re- injury my knee. So I went off in the other direction, once back at the vehicle I saw a very co-operative young Eastern Phoebe. I did not see many birds, a Turkey Vulture, a Song Sparrow and that was about it. Of course I saw insects and photographed some of them. Hearing the vehicle approaching, I wondered what they saw. Yeah an Indigo Bunting, good bird, I love hearing and seeing them.

We headed to Pakenham to check out the 5 arch bridge, On the water was an interesting sight, a whole lot of Common Grackles drinking water. We stopped at the feed company and there we saw American Goldfinch feasting up small sunflowers. At the river we saw resting Mallards.

Ian asked if we could go to High Lonesome, Bill checked it out and said it is only 10 minutes away, sure we can go, but there is walking. We arrived and walked to the building and there high in a big dead tree were three birds, mmmmm what are they, They were not singing, and we decided they were finches. Bill took some photos and then said Purple finch, we thought they were all females, but after looking at my photos, I think they were all juveniles. One of my photos definitely shows a reddish colouring developing. We decided against doing the trails, because the paths were so overgrown and we were not interested in the slightest in getting any ticks on us.

Back at the vehicle, we headed to the place I call 'where we see the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers'. Bill and I have birded long enough together that he knew exactly where I meant. While on Sugar Bush Road, we stopped to look at a bird on a hydro wire - Kestrel, then it flew. No photos but we were happy we saw it. While driving there we passed a bunch of bird boxes. I saw a bird go in one, Bill backed up and we were patient. We thought the bird boxes were or had been occupied by Tree Swallows. We waited and out came a Northern House Wren. Ian said I have seen them with their tails up, this one did not have its tail cocked. We drove on to our destination and parked. We decided it was time for lunch oh the time was about 11:20ish. We all had our breakfast around 6:00 and today we did not stop for a snack, so I am famished. Ian, Bill and Barbara set up their chairs and brought out their lunches. I opted to sit in the vehicle. While I ate I watched the area in front of me for birds. There was activity and at one point I did see a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The others had pointed their chairs facing the road, not the forest. We had a lively conversation during lunch.

Once lunch was over we walked the road, Ian heard a Wood Thrush. We saw water, so we played Northern Waterthrush, no response. We walked for a bit and Barbara said something about going uphill. We both decided we would turn around and Bill and Ian continued. They were so lucky -- Scarlet Tanagers male and female and a Pileated Woodpecker. While they were getting these birds, Barbara and I were just in front of the vehicle looking toward the forest. I was sitting on a fallen tree trunk listening and I had Merlin playing, I heard a Great Crested Flycatcher, Merlin did not. I played their song and the bird eventually came closer. Oh that nice bird flew from one tree to the next, we got to see for a millisecond and it disappeared and stopped singing. I heard a song, did not recognize it, but Merlin indicated Brown Creeper, I heard the song again and Merlin lit up Brown Creeper, the little bird was singing. I played the song but it did not come in again.

We headed to Wolf Grove Road with a brief stop at BarbC's cottage, then back on Road 12 through McDonald's Corners.

Our last stop was the Carleton Place stormwater pond. It did not disappoint -- Trumpeter Swan, Blue-wing Teal, Green-wing Teal, Greater and Less Yellowlegs and Canada Geese. While we were checking out the pond, a Green Heron flew over as well as a Great Blue Heron. In the distance perched on a tree was a Great Egret. All good. We did not stay too long as Ian's dog had to be let out of the house and really it was time to go.

Have a relaxing long weekend.