Mud Lake and Frank Ryan with JC Birding

 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

Manotick and Third Line

 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.

Crystal Beach to Richmond to North Gower with JC Birding

 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.