July 15, 2025
Birding Report by Jane Burgess
We headed to Bill Mason Outdoor
Centre to be greeted with a couple of Barn Swallows and a Chipping
Sparrow. When we arrived we noticed a car down at the centre, it moved
toward us, but not on the road, it drove on the sports track and then
off to West Carleton High School. I asked Bill, are we going to do
that, No was his response. We walked to the boardwalk, only to be
disappointed, the boardwalk was closed. Darn. Bill suggested we check
out the west side and it was open. But the east side has historically
been so good, having both Virginia Rail and Sora. The west side was
open, so we took it. The first bird we saw was a Marsh Wren, it flitted
back and forth from one side of the boardwalk to the other, Such a
cute little guy. He would perch on the railing for a second then take
off, you had to be quick at capturing his image -- Bill was, I was not.
We must have stayed 15 or 20 minutes. Onwards we saw Swamp Sparrow,
Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and further down the boardwalk was
an Alder Flycatcher singing. We got to the woods, which trail do we
take? We opted for the longer one. Once in the woods we heard an
Ovenbird with its booming voice singing 'Teacher, Teacher'.
We
continued to the 'outdoor classroom', but first we checked the east
boardwalk, yeah it was barricaded to prevent anyone from taking it. We
sat for a while in the classroom and off we went back again. Barb C.
always calls for the Northern Waterthrush, she did a couple of times and
a very far away Waterthrush answered just the once. Both Barb and I
heard it, but Eleanor nor Bill did not. But Bill had gone ahead of
us. The Alder Flycatcher was in exactly the same spot as where we had
seen it previously. Barb called the rail, but no response.
All
in all we heard or saw 30 species of birds. The bugs were not too bad
either. While we were in the forest Barb C pointed out a red 'flower'
which turned out to be a Waxcap, a type of fungi. Many waxcap species
are considered rare or threatened primarily due to habitat loss and
changes in land management practices such as tree planting and intensive
agriculture, We only saw the one.
Where to
next. The plan was to go to Torbolton Ridge Road. Eleanor asked about
Red-headed Woodpeckers? She needed both for this year's list. We
headed to Torbolton Ridge Road. We each played the song many times as
we walked the road. It was very hot walking. Barb C was the only one
to see the little guy. Another Darn!!!
Where
should we lunch, somewhere shady Barb C suggested. Bill found a place
with enough shade for both vehicles. Bill and I were eating our lunch
when Barb suggested it was okay to sit outside, no thanks we are staying
in the air conditioned vehicle. We headed to Constance Bay, with a
first stop to see if we could find an Eastern Meadowlark and a
Bobolink. When we stopped I could hear a Meadowlark singing. I got out
of the car and Barb was already out and she said there was one on the
post. I banged on Bill's vehicle to tell him about the bird. He took
the photos and then went looking for the Red-headed Woodpecker.
We
did several roads in Constance Bay then Bill & I decided, no luck,
we will leave. I received a text from Eleanor saying she and Barb were
going to check out the trail beside the car. Bill said okay and off
they went --Bill, Barb and Eleanor. I stayed in the car, my leg was
bothering me, I had very little sleep the night before and therefore
tired. I needed to rest a bit. Bill came back with a smile on his
face, not only did they get the Red-headed Woodpeckers, but
Yellowbellied Sapsucker and Hairy Woodpecker. He told me they saw the
Red-headed Woodpeckers right away but they flew off, Eleanor stayed
where they were originally seen and Bill went searching. Eleanor was
rewarded.
We decided it was time to head home,
via Vances Side Road, we stopped at the bridge and saw a Great Blue
Heron fly off. Turned down Greenland then turned onto Thomas A Dolan
Pky. We saw waterfowl for the first time -- Mallard, Wood Duck and
Common Gallinule with babies. The Osprey nest was occupied by two
juveniles and we saw a parent fly in with a fish in its talons. It
dropped the fish into the nest and somehow a bit later it fell out of
the nest. The parent did not try to retrieve it.
Next
we went down Berry Sideroad in hopes we would see Green Heron. Only
new bird added here was a Great Egret. The Osprey nest was occupied.
We passed two more occupied Osprey nests on our way home. Bill remarked
how the Osprey have done well in the past years.
Sometime
in our travels Bill told me that they were going to remove the railroad
bridge on Carling Ave between Rifle Road and Burke Road. I have always
been uncomfortable with on coming travel going under the railroad
bridge. We drove down Carling Ave and he said it will probably be the
last time we will go under this bridge. Demolition is to start July 18
and as we neared the bridge, we saw that work had already started.
Meanwhile
back at the Bowman's. Jane's car was the main attraction for the 2
hour show. Workers were running a cable across the Bowmans' front yard,
under the driveway and under Jane's car. Jane's car was the
main attraction for the 2 hour show. As seen from the photos they
covered up the front of the car and worked under it. When I got back to
the car, no dust, just looked like nothing had happened. I was very
glad Barbara had decided to stay at home and she made sure nothing
negative happened to the car. Thank you Barbara for the story and the
photosl.
Species Noted
- Northern House Wren
- Wild Turkey
- Carolina Wren
- American goldfinch
- Song Sparrow
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Cedar Waxwing
- European Starling
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Blue Jay
- Common Grackle
- Chipping sparrow
- Barn Swallow
- Swamp Sparrow
- Yellow Warbler
- Marsh Wren
- Common Yellowthroat
- Great-crested Flycatcher
- Alder Flycatcher
- Eastern WoodPewee
- Gray Catbird
- Northern Waterthrush
- Ovenbird
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Ring-billed Gull
- Common Raven
- Great-blue Heron
- Turkey vulture
- American Robin
- Black & White Warbler
- Northern Flicker
- Mourning Dove
- Downy Woodpecker
- American Crow
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Veery
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- Sedge Wren
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Red-headed Woodpecker
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Common Gallinule
- Mallard
- Wood Duck
- Osprey
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great Egret
Critters Noted
- Snowshoe Hare
- Green Frog
- White-tailed Deer
- Painted Turtle