Terry Carise, Twin Elm, Richmond CA and Sarsaparilla Trail

 April 27, 2027

Lots of places and few birds today despite the beautiful weather. Saw several Barn Swallows at Twin Elm, but no photos.

Diamond Jubilee Park

 April 26, 2026

This was our first trip to this park in Findlay Creek, prompted by eBird posts by other birders.  It is in a very urban setting, but hosted many waterfowl: lots of Common Mergansers and Buffleheads, several Pied-billed Grebes which were singing, a duo of Spotted Sandpipers, and singles of Ruddy Duck and Gadwall.

Carleton Place Storm Pond and Conc 5A

 April 25, 2026

Our First Loggerhead Shrike Survey of 2026

 April 23, 2026

We volunteered with Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) to survey areas, that formerly had Loggerhead Shrikes, to see if the habitat and compatible species are present.  Every year, WPC releases captive-bred shrikes at Napanee and Carden which migrate to the southern US. When they return, the hope is that some may spread to the areas we are surveying.

This is our third year of surveying, which is done once each in April, May and June.  Our survey areas are shown in the map and are mostly along Panmure Road.  This year, Jane Burgess came with us to lend a hand with observing and recording.  Barbara takes photos and Bill looks after the logistics and the playback tape.

We saw/heard Eastern Meadowlarks at all 6 locations and Brown Thrashers at 4 of them. Bobolinks are not back yet.  We saw 3 American Kestrels and 2 or 3 Northern Harriers, which are potential predators of young shrikes.

Other incidental but interesting sightings were Trumpeter Swans, a single Sandhill Crane, many Field Sparrows, and several Northern Flickers.

We checked the intersection of Panmure and Dwyer Hill roads for Upland Sandpipers and with the help of a young birder managed to see 3 of them in our scopes. But they were too far for photos, and they vanished into, the long grass.

It was a successful first survey.  Two more to go!  Thank you, Jane, for your help.