February 20, 2026
Thanks to Carol for letting us know about this one.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S302034761
We went to Greely and found the nest easily. The owl was hunkered down with only it's tail showing out the back of the nest. We stayed for quite a while and got occasional glimpses of an ear tuft. But the owl did not sit up or turn around while we were there.
February 19, 2026
Following up on tips from a trusted source, we met today at Hastings Street in Nepean; Alan & Carol, Eleanor, Barbc and Bill. We had already heard that a Boreal Owl was no longer being seen, but we decided to have a quick check anyway. So, we moved to the hockey rink park and hiked back along the tail paralleling Grandview.
We hiked back to the junction of Trail 10 without seeing much. Then, sharp-eyed Eleanor spotted three Pine Grosbeaks buried in the shrubs. They were feeding on buckthorn berries.
Our next birding location was Davidson’s Side Road to look for a reported Great Gray Owl. But we were too late; our source emailed that it had not been seen this morning! We drove very slowly all the way to Beetbox Farm to turn around, mindful of the children that were arriving for their home-schooling camp. Bill spotted 3 Wild Turkeys at the farm.
Next, we checked Rifle Road, Lois, Shirley and Riverdown. There was no sign of the owl, but lots of common species. Barbc said that we had not seen a Ruffed Grouse for a long time -then, amazingly, one was spotted almost immediately in the open in a tree. Bill had gone ahead and driven right past it. Eleanor called and he turned around and came back just as it flew off. Darn, no photo. Rick and Richard also arrived, and we had a good chat until we had to move along for a vehicle.
We all wanted a Black-backed Woodpecker, so we went from there to P11 on Hunt Club Road where 3 had been reported the previous day, and Eleanor had seen one on Tuesday. But not today. We hiked both arms of the tails without a sighting, except for a skulking quiet Pileated Woodpecker.
We checked our phones and saw that a Black-backed Woodpecker had been reported a few minutes ago at Old Quarry Trail. So, off we went. We had our lunch in the parking lot before heading out. Then we saw Janet and Margaret coming off the trail with bad news – they did not see it. We gave it a good try anyway, but also missed it. But Janet told us of her great trip with McNamarra FN to Barron Canyon, and this gave us an idea for our next outing.
The group dispersed at this point, but Bill headed out to Akins to see the Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspur, but dipped on the Snowy Owl.
It was a lovely mild day to be out birding with friends.
Bird List
1. Mallard
2. Wild Turkey
3. Ruffed Grouse
4. Rock Pigeon
5. Mourning Dove
6. Pileated Woodpecker
7. Blue Jay
8. American Crow
9. Common Raven
10. Black-capped Chickadee
11. White-breasted Nuthatch
12. Red-breasted Nuthatch
13. Pine Grosbeak
14. Snow Bunting
15. Lapland Longspur
16. Dark-eyed Junco
17. Northern Cardinal
February 12, 2026
Eleanor, Ian, Barbara & Bill met at Mud Lake at 8 am. Ken joined us shortly afterwards, delayed by accidents on the Queensway ramps. It was a sunny day, and much milder that it had been, although cold by the water.
We hiked slowly up Cassels Road hoping to see a Hermit Thrush that had been reported, but no luck. We turned down the main trail on the west side of Mud Lake.
Eleanor had brought sunflower seeds, and the chickadees were appreciative. Then a pair of Downy Woodpeckers showed up and also fed from her hand.
Bill caught up to Ian and Barbara and was just telling them that a Northern Flicker had been seen, when Eleanor spotted it. It gave us spectacular views and photo ops.
Rather than continue around Mud Lake, we thought we should go back to Cassels to look for the thrush. Ken agreed saying that other birders were on it. We hurried back and saw it well skulking in the dense shrubs beside the lake.
On the north side of the road, the Cedar Waxwings were much more cooperative. There were many American Robins, too, which we speculated had over wintered.
We returned to our vehicles, then hiked down to the river. We met Colin and Martha who reported 36 Mallards on the water and ice. We saw a Common Goldeneye fly in and land on the river. Ken crept closer for a photo, only to have his foot plunge through the thin ice at the edge of the shallow water and give him a soaker. He was not worried and simply carried on birding.
We slowly hiked down to Britannia Point where we saw another goldeneye and a Hairy Woodpecker. Eleanor spotted the flicker again in a distant tree. Back to our cars to warm up a bit and have a snack.
Bill wanted to try for the Fox Sparrow at the south-west corner of Mud Lake. (Martha had shown him the exact location). So, we drove around and parked on Howe St and hiked a short way down the path. White-breasted Nuthatches were common, but the Fox Sparrow did not show.
Both Ian and Ken had to go. Ian had some preparations to do for his upcoming trip to New Zealand. We wished him bon voyage. Eleanor, Barbara & Bill moved on to Elmhurst/Frank Ryan Parks.
It was a challenge to get over the snowbank onto the trail; we helped each other over that obstacle. The Carolina Wren did not show up for us, but we were rewarded with a Barred Owl perched on top of a snag at the edge of Frank Ryan. We wisely returned to our cars by the sidewalk to avoid the snowbank obstacle. Bill had promised a short day, so we decided to call it at this point. It had been a very successful morning of birding.
Sightings (List by Eleanor)
1.
1. American Crow
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Downy Woodpecker
4. Northern Flicker
5. Hermit Thrush
6. Cedar Waxwing
7. American Robin
8. European Starling
9. Hairy Woodpecker
10. Mallard
11. Common Goldeneye
12. Common Merganser
13. White-breasted Nuthatch
14. Barred Owl
15. American Goldfinch
16. Northern Cardinal
February 5, 2026
We went to Manotick to look for a reported Ring-necked Duck. We found it under the bridge but photos were tough because of all the branches.
We went home via Brophy and decided to check out Third Line for Redpolls. They were back - about 20 of them. But they were not in a mood to sit still for any length of time.
February 3, 2026
