Ottawa Area Birding: 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.