Snowy Close to Home

March 20, 2014

We were relaxing at home when Dave called to say that he had just driven past a Snowy Owl on Hunt Club, just west of Greenbank.  We got our cameras and bins and were there within 10 minutes.   We parked on Siskin and hiked along the shoulder of Hunt Club after spotting it on a lamp standard.  It was late afternoon, but Barbara still got a good photo.

Search for Trumpeter Swans

March 16, 2014

Both us had been laid low with colds, so weren't getting out much.  A Sunday drive in the country on a sunny but cool day was just what the doctor ordered.

We tried for swans, visiting the headwaters of the Jock (frozen solid), and the open water of the Mississippi around Carleton Place.  Seeing none, we headed downstream on the Mississippi checking out Appleton, Almonte, Blakeney and Packenham.  At the last spot, we saw a few Common Goldeneyes below the falls, and a flock of Wild Turkeys along the road just before.  We never did see any swans, although they were reported on Ontbirds in Carleton Place soon after.

West End Birding with Always an Adventure

March 4, 2014

A new birder came out today, Lilyann, who had grown up in Argentina.  There was also a couple, Wayne & Dina who were originally from Ottawa, spend their winters in Arizona, and their summers at Groundhog Lake, west of Timmins.  They were back in Ottawa to visit a relative, and found they had some time for birding.  Other than that, it was me Tony & Nina.

We were hard pressed to get numbers of species today, but got an incredible 9 Snowy Owls and at least 5 Red-tailed Hawks.  We also saw a small flock of Horned Larks with two Lapland Longspurs among them.

Bird List

1. Rock Pigeon
2. American Crow
3. Snowy Owl
4. Horned Lark
5. Lapland Longspur
6. Red-tailed Hawk
7. European Starling
8. House Sparrow
9. Mourning Dove
10. Black-capped Chickadee
11. American Tree Sparrow
12. White-breasted Nuthatch
13. Downy Woodpecker
14. Hairy Woodpecker
15. Blue Jay

West End Snowy Owls with Always and Adventure

Feb 25, 2014

Today there were Rick, Josh, me, Tony and Nina.

We began at the Sarsaparilla Trail where we only saw a few common species.  So we soon headed out towards Richmond to look for Snowy Owls.

We were not disappointed!  The first one was low in a tree close to the road.  Another was on a utility pole and a third was on a distant fence post.

We carried on to Munster Side Road, then returned via Trail Road Dump.  Finally we went to Hilda, where there were an incredible 4 Snowshoe Hares.

Bird List

1. Mourning Dove
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Red-breasted Nuthatch
4. Northern Shrike
5. Snow Bunting
6. Wild Turkey
7. Horned Lark
8. Blue Jay
9. Common Raven
10. Red-tailed Hawk
11. European Starling
12. American Crow
13. Hairy Woodpecker
14. Downy Woodpecker
15. Dark-eyed Junco
16. White-breasted Nuthatch

East End Snowy Owls Take 2

Feb 23, 2014

The Venturers were in the Adirondacks, and we were returning by Cornwall - a perfect opportunity to check out the Snowy Owls.

We found one right away on a utility pole, but it took off before everyone got a good look.

Then Austin noticed several cars on a side road which could only mean one thing - another Snowy.  We drove down and were disappointed to see several photographers out in the field close to the owl in a low bush.  After a few minutes, the owl flew down to the ground a short distance away.  One of the photographers started to head back to the car, and the owl flew right up behind him looking for a handout.

We had seen enough, and it was time to go home anyway.

East End Snowy Owls

Feb 17, 2014

Even with hundreds in the Ottawa area, I had not seen many.  So I decided my best bet was the usual location in the east end near Casselman.

I saw a distant one in a field on the ground.  Then a second one on a snow bank.  Finally a third one on a utility pole.  Success!

The Gatineau Escarpment & The Steel Line with Always an Adventure

Thursday Feb 6

Just Josh and I braved the cold to ride with Tony & Nina today.  The number of birds seen was low, but 3 Golden Eagles and 2 Bald Eagles made for a great day in the field.  We also had a few Red-tailed Hawks and single Rough-legged Hawk and Northern Shrike.

Bird List

1. Wild Turkey
2. Red-tailed Hawk
3. House Sparrow
4. American Crow
5. Blue Jay
6. European Starling
7. Rock Pigeon
8. Snow Bunting
9. Golden Eagle
10. Common Raven
11. Bald Eagle
12. Purple Finch
13. American Goldfinch
14. Rough-legged Hawk
15. Northern Shrike
16. Bufflehead
17. Common Goldeneye
18. Common Merganser