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.

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