Bluebird Search

March 19, 2017

We went to Maxwell Bridge Road in Kanata to look for a reported Eastern Bluebird.  No luck!  But we got a nice view of some Cedar Waxwings and later a Red-tailed Hawk.

Britannia Ridge

March 17, 2017

The ice is starting to let go, and the American Black Ducks are taking full advantage.

More Snowys

February 28, 2017

Lucky Jane got a Gyrfalcon on Rushmore Road on the 27th.  So after finishing our shopping at Costco, we drove over for a look.  Not surprisingly, several others were on the lookout too.  But we were all disappointed.  We had to make do with four Snowy Owls, one on Rushmore, one on Fallowfield, and two flying across Eagleson.

An Early Kingfisher

February 26, 2017

We went chasing a report of Greater White-fronted Geese on Eagleson near Hope Side Road in the storm water ponds.  Alas, we were not the only ones to be disappointed.  But a belted Kingfisher put on a good show for us.  In the back of the ponds, there was a small group of Hooded Mergansers.

More Owls

February 19, 2017

A Great Gray was reported several times on March Valley Road.  An earlier try was unsuccessful, but this time, a few cars were parked on the side of the road and birders were in the adjacent field.  We joined them and looked where the were pointing their cameras, but saw nothing.  It was well camouflaged perched in plain sight.  Soon we saw it - what a beauty.  There was no baiting or disrespectful behaviour, thank goodness.

We decided to head for the far east end to look for Snowy Owls.  We patrolled all the back roads without success, although we did see many Horned Larks and Snow Buntings.  We also spotted a couple of Rough-legged Hawks and a Common Raven with a dead bird it had either captured or scavenged.

February 20, 2017

A fresh report of a Snowy Owl in the west end sent us out again.  We tried Roger Stevens Drive and Moodie Drive without success.  Finally we spotted one on Barnsdale Rd.  We cruised the back roads and had good views of more Horned Larks and Snow Buntings, as well as a surprising number of American Robins.

February 22, 2017

We decided to try for the Eastern Bluebird reported on Malakoff Rd, but had no luck.  Taking back roads home, we again passed Barnsdale Rd, and our Snowy Owl was closer this time on a significant hump.  A pickup truck with three young locals stopped and were thrilled to see the owl through our binoculars.

Barred Owl in Orleans

Feb 12, 2017

Al Z emailed to say that a large owl was roosting in a tree at his son-in-law's house.  In spite of the snowy weather, we braved the storm and got the owl.

Golden Eagle

February 1, 2017

We were driving south on Hwy 148 in the Pontiac, when we both saw a raptor perched by the Ottawa River opposite Calumet Island.  We pulled over for a look and quickly saw that it was an eagle.  A little more study and we knew we had a Golden Eagle.  A special sighting!