Crystal Beach to Richmond to North Gower

 February 3, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

We changed our route a little bit, we headed for the Crystal Bay Greenspace, a Saw whet Owl had been reported.  We saw Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, American Tree Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker and heard a White-breasted Nuthatch.  We were not prepared to walk in the snow and chance ending up waist deep to get to the evergreen trees, so no Saw Whet Owl.  We headed to Fallowfield Village to check out the feeders, not so many feeders as there used to be, no new species.  On the way there just before Bells Corners, we saw our first huge flock of American Crows.

On Atkins we saw more American Crows, a car came along and frightened them off the road.  Good thing because a small flock of Snow Buntings flew to where the Crows had been eating.  We drove slowly up Atkins and in the far distance we saw a Snowy Owl.  Nothing on Rushmore.  We headed to the dump, took Cambrian and we saw more Crows.  Then we took Trail Road and Bill said is that a Coopers' Hawk?  We took many photos, it just stayed and watched us, we did not get too close, because it obviously wanted to conserve its energy.  It turned out not to be a Coopers' Hawk but a Merlin.  Still very good.

Richland has been good sometimes, so why not try our luck, two American Goldfinch.  We wondered if Eleanor and Ian lost us, no they did not, Ian was photographing the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings.  The flock was quite large - 200+.  Gee I had not seen any Waxwings all seasons, we were all happy to get the Bohemian Waxwings.

We heard about Goodstown Road many years ago at a Christmas Bird Count, and the fella that has such a good feeding station is happy to 'share his birds'.  It was pretty busy bird wise - lots of American Tree, House Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos.  A good number of Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays.  About 5 or 6 Evening Grosbeaks (we all had smiles on our faces to see them) and a single Hairy Woodpecker.  We decided to have our lunch in front of the feeding station, the Grosbeaks that were there, did not show up while we were having our lunch.  As we drove off a Pileated Woodpecker was seen on a hydro post. I called Eleanor to let her know.  The bird flew off, but Barbara relocated it and I got out of the vehicle and pointed to where it was.  Eleanor and Ian got to see it as well.

On Lockhead, there were about 15 or 20 Horned Larks and of course huge flocks of Crows.  Some European Starlings and Rock Pigeons were seen on the many silos.  No Lapland Longspurs.

Eleanor had told us when we started out that Redpolls had been seen on Third and Brophy, we drove almost the length of Third and guess where the Redpolls were, at the corner of Third and Brophy.  We had a fleeting glance.  We saw them and I think Bill and I took a photo each.  Bill moved up a bit and off them went, never to be seen by us again.  

Time to go home.  We drove down Moody Drive and saw two small flocks of Wild Turkeys.  But to end our day we saw a Barred owl on a hydro line on Fallowfield Road not more than a mile away from my place.  What a great way to end our day.

Such a good day.  My, my a Snowy Owl, Barred Owl, Evening Grosbeaks, Redpolls, Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings and throw in a Pileated Woodpecker and a Merlin.  All so very good to make an extremely productive day.

I said to Bill while we were on Lockhead, you know I am so calm and right with the world, I love that birding does that.  He agreed.

Species Noted

1. American Crow (must have been at least 5000+ we saw-huge flocks everywhere)
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Dark-eyed Junco
4. Blue Jay
5. Northern Cardinal
6. American Tree Sparrow
7. White-breasted Nuthatch
8. Downy Woodpecker
9. Snow Bunting
10. Snowy Owl
11. Mourning dove
12. Common Raven
13. Merlin
14. American Goldfinch
15. Cedar Waxwing
16. Bohemian Waxwing. 200+
17. Hairy Woodpecker
18. Evening Grosbeak. 5 or 6
19. House Sparrow
20. Pileated Woodpecker
21. Rock Pigeon
22. Horned Larks. 15 or so
23. European Starling
24. Common Redpoll. 50+
25. Wild Turkey
26. Barred Owl

Northern Hawk Owl, YES; Great Gray, NO

 February 1, 2026

Jane & I went to Brewer Park to try to photograph the temporary resident Northern Hawk Owl on a day with a beautiful blue sky.  We were in luck.  Right after arriving, I spotted a couple of photographers with cameras up. We quickly joined them and got our shots.

With that success under our belts, we headed for Parc des Portageurs in Hull for a possible Great Gray Owl.  We knew it was a long shot, and indeed there was no sign of it.  But we did have an interesting hike that has lots of potential for spring.

Carleton Place to Calabogie with JC Birding

 January 27, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

While driving to the meet up place, I received a call from Ken saying there had been an accident on the Queensway and he would be a bit late but to go ahead, he would catch up to us.  We picked Eleanor up at the Eagleson Park & Ride and off we went to Carleton Place.  We hadn't been on the road for more than 5 minutes when Ken phoned, saying traffic was fine after he passed the accident.  We told him where we were headed and he said he would meet us at the arena.

Bill got off highway 417 and drove to Cavanaugh Rd.  Not far down the road we saw a hawk or was it an owl on the hydro line.  The road is such that we had to drive quite a bit to be able to turn around.  Luckily for us when we returned the bird was still there --- Barred Owl.  I was the only one who could take photos.  We pulled up closer for Bill to take photos the bird flew.  Never have I ever seen a Barred Owl on a hydro line.

We  got to the arena and Ken was waiting for us.  He had seen the owl but he kept driving.  We wanted to check the water because some birds had been reported.  We had to walk gingerly down a small hill to get to the path.  We walked and we walked and asked walkers if the water was open up ahead.  Yes.  So we walked some more.  The first birds we saw were two Common Mergansers, up ahead maybe 15 Mallards, in further up a Trumpeter Swan, but it swam around the island, we could not see it.  We walked back and we got to see three Trumpeter Swans - 2 adults and a cygnet.  

My, it was cold  -14 and a bit of a breeze - my toes were saying I need to warm up.  My face was very cold.  I headed for the car to wait for the others.  Thank goodness the arena was open, we  used the facilities and warmed up a bit. Once semi-warmed up, we were back in the car.  I think it was at Clayton we saw lots of Blue Jays.  And a flock of Rock Pigeons huddled together on a roof.

We drove some roads and saw absolutely nothing except pretty countryside.  Ken pulled up beside Bill and suggested we try a small road he thought looked good,  At a feeder we saw some Black-capped Chickadees and one White-breasted Nuthatch.  Eleanor says to us I am seeing what I think are Grosbeaks - sure enough 8 Evening Grosbeaks.  Thank you Eleanor.  Thank you Ken for suggesting the road.

Drove some more roads and what we saw were Common Raven generally in pairs.  We must have seen 12 or 14 of them during the course of the day.

Bill it's time for lunch - I only ask one thing: find us a place that is birding.  Tall order.  Bill said I know a place - a place near White Lake.  Frankly I have no idea how Bill knows these places, I guess it's  his many years of paddling every lake and river in Ontario (that might be a slight exaggeration).   No birds though.

After lunch we headed to Panmure, but before we went there, a very important stop - Antrim Truck stop for goodies.  Of course it did not disappoint, each one of us bought some type of scone.

Luck was with us in seeing the Western Meadowlark.  No waiting, it was chowing down when we got there. Once out of the vehicle, we frightened some Wild Turkeys who were also chowing down the seeds that had been left for the Meadowlark,  They flew off and perched on some far off trees.

We were checking out the area, when Bill says it is there, near the straw bales.  All it did while we were there was eat,  It needs a lot of fuel to keep warm with the temperatures we are experiencing,  But many people have left seeds.  While we were waiting this big truck hauling something behind us went flying by and came close to us, spraying us all with wet snow.  He was the only person who was inconsiderate, others drove on the other side of the road and had slowed down.  Some people are well you know...   One guy stopped and said I have driven by here and I see people here all the time, what is that you are looking for - we told him, he was interested and then drove away.   After a few minutes an American Tree Sparrow and two Dark-eyed Juncos came in, so the Meadowlark has some friends -- if birds have friends.

Back at the park & ride by 3ish.  We all thought we had a great day even with the cold.  But you have heard me say every day one goes birding is a great day.

Bird Sightings

1. White-breasted Nuthatch
2. Barred Owl
3. Common Merganser
4. Mallard
5. Trumpeter Swan
6. American Crow
7. Blue Jay
8. Rock Pigeon
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Evening Grosbeak
11. Common Raven
12. Red-tailed Hawk
13. European Starling
14. Wild Turkey
15.  Western Meadowlark
16. Dark-eyed Junco
17. American Tree Sparrow

Bohemian Waxwings at Richard & Pat's

 January 25, 2026

Richard altered us to a flock of Bohemians in his backyard and on the adjacent street.  In spite of the cold temperature and poor photography conditions, we decided to go because the prospects for improvements in the near term were not good.  The flock had grown to over 100 attracted to a neighbour's large juniper tree laden with berries.  We managed a few shots, wishing for better lighting.

As I said, it was cold and Richard kindly invited us in for tea and goodies.  We enjoyed swapping stories with him and Pat.

Montreal European Robin with JC Birding

 January 23, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Bill, Barbara and I met Guy at 7:15 at Carlingwood Shopping Centre.  He did not know how long it would take for him to get there via taxi, he waited for us in the cold for 45 minutes, needless to say he was very cold when we picked him up.  Traffic wasn't too bad all the way to Montreal, there we encountered traffic.  On the way to Montreal we saw a lone Wild Turkey and saw 3 Bald Eagles,

We were on Ave Rougemont around 9:45.  There were people photographing, oh maybe that was the Robin, nope Northern Mockingbird.  It flew and the people moved to the corner, where the cedar trees were.  We walked over and there was a guy who said the European  Robin had been there but had flown over the wall.  All I could see was House Sparrow Bill suddenly saying there it is, I saw it briefly.  Then another man said it's near the suet, where is that? near the ground, I saw it but very briefly.

Another guy was on the right of us, up the street a bit.  We all joined him.  My goodness the bird just sat there for all to see and posed for us for at least 10 minutes.  We all took lots of photos.  Everyone had smiles on their faces.  We started to walk away, Barbara said I should take a photo, I suggested we go back closer to the bird to include it in our photo.  My hands had warmed up a bit so I took more photos of the bird.  Then it flew up and I thought away, no Bill said, it flew under the vehicle.  When we left we were all so happy seeing the bird so easily and really on a cold day we did not freeze our rears.  Of course if we had gone done today (saturday) we really would have frozen our rears.  I wonder how long the bird will survive in this very cold snap we are encountering.

Some history of this little Robin - first time it has been seen in Canada, it appeared January 7.  It is thought to have come over from Europe on a transatlantic ship or blown off course by strong winds.  Experts suggest it may have hitched a ride on a freighter to the port of Montreal during fall migration.  I guess the little Robin is the only one who knows how it got here.  It is hanging around a flock of House Sparrows.  European Robins are normally found throughout Europe, western Asia, North Africa and Atlantic islands like the Azores.  They prefer dense cover, hedgerows, parks and gardens.  Guess that it is why it has been seen in the cedars at the end of Rougemont.   Bill, Barbara and I have seen it before but it was a lifer for Guy. 

We went to Tim Hortons to celebrate with a warm drink and some food.  Wow we really celebrate high on the hog!!

It was still early so what should we do, well why not bird Casselman area.  Off we went. 

Bill sighted Snow Buntings very quickly after turning off the 417.  We saw several flocks of them while we birded the area.  We hoped to see Snowy Owls, we were slowly driving down a road when I spotted something white.  Stop and back up, yes on the intersected road I saw a Snowy Owl flying,  We went after it, but unfortunately for us, we did not see it again.  We drove several roads, not even a Rough-legged or Northern Harrier.  Time for lunch, we went off to the lagoon not far from St Isidore.  We stopped to see the open water. A farmer has a mechanism that blows air into the water and it bubbles up, keeping a small area open, there we saw maybe 5 Canada Geese resting on the ice.   Bill drove up closer to the gate and parked, where we started our lunch.  Barbara said there is something moving over there near the fence.  Wow, she spotted 3 River Otters, can they move fast on the snow, I think they were headed to the open water.  Bill took some photos while Guy jumped out of the car.  All of a sudden the otters stopped and moved to where they came from, then abruptly changed course away from us.  What a good find.  Thank you Barbara.

Bill thought we should start looking for Short-eared Owls, but unfortunately we did not see any.  On the way to the 417, I spotted a big bird - I followed one while Bill was photographing another, I did not realize there were two. The one Bill was following gave us such great views of it as it flew over the vehicle.  Too bad it was so close to the car, no photos, but amazing eye views.

Maybe 5 minutes after we got on the 417, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree.  Last bird of the day.  Bill very kindly drove Guy home and then me.  Thank you for doing all the driving, it is appreciated by all.

Not all that many species were seen, but such a great day, we all were happy to see the European Robin and the Northern Mockingbird.

Critters Noted

1. River Otter

Species Noted

1. Wild Turkey
2. Bald Eagle
3. House Sparrow
4. Northern Mockingbird
5. European Robin
6. European Starling
7. Rock Pigeon
8. American Goldfinch
9. Hairy Woodpecker
10. Black-capped Chickadee
11. Dark-eyed Junco
12. Snow Buntings
13. Common Raven
14. American Crow
15. Snowy Owl
16. Canada Goose
17. Red-tailed Hawk
18. Mourning Dove