Ottawa Area Birding: Marais aux Grenouillettes etc with JC Birding

June 11, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

We picked up Guy shortly after 7 and proceeded to des Laiches E. As we were driving down to the marsh the fields on both sides of the road were alive with the sounds of Bobolink and we got to see some as well. About half way down there were 4 Turkey Vultures perched on an old fence. Tree Swallows were hawking for insects. We parked and the first thing in order was to put on our rubber boots, it was quite damp. The wet grass came up to my waist and yes our trousers got wet.

I think we saw 4 American Bitterns, at least that many Black-crowned Night-herons. In fact we had a very cooperative Night-heron perch on a dead tree while we all took its photograph. We heard Sandhill Cranes, I looked and looked through my scope, Bill looked and looked but we did not see them, But Bill and Barbara saw them fly by, Guy and I did not. We saw a Pied-billed Grebe far away, they were singing but deep in the reeds. We heard Common Gallinule as well, but I guess they were shy birds, they did not make an appearance. Guy and I walked quite a distance on the path, or what we will call a path. The 'path' is riddled with ruts and one had to watch where they walked and of course this interferes with birding. Looking down at your feet, never gets you birds. We heard a Belted Kingfisher and saw two Gray Catbirds. Of course there were many, many Song Sparrows. Of course I should not mention this, but it was Guy's turn to fall because of the ruts. Walking back to the vehicle, we had a flyby of a Great Egret and a Double-crested Cormorant.

We spent about an hour and half there. The weather wasn't too bad, overcast but not raining.

Next up was des Grenouilletres (I call it froggy marsh). Driving down the road to the marsh, there were no Bobolinks to be heard, not far from the first place, but the habitat was a bit different. Our rubber boots were definitely needed here. Bill went to check the river, nothing. Guy and I were a bit ahead and we saw a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. About half way the path turned muddy and lots of puddles, very slippery, but this time no one fell. Hand holding was necessary. Finally got to the viewing place, oh our big find a Mallard, but after some looking we found two Common Gallinules. We walked to the Ottawa River. Bill and Guy saw two Painted Turtles. What we all observed was the lack of frogs, yes we saw some Leopard Frogs, but when I first went there may be 15 or 20 years ago, there were so many frogs all over the place. I of course goggled it - the frog decline seen at this marsh is the same reason driving the global amphibian crisis, habitat destruction, agricultural pollution, climate change and infectious diseases. But pollution and pesticides could be a cause since amphibians have highly permeable skin, they readily absorb agricultural runoff, toxic chemicals, and industrial pollutants from the water. As well there is a deadly aquatic pathogen that is the primary driver of the mass frog extinctions worldwide. Enough said. So sad.

Coming back to the vehicle I think we were several inches tall, given all the mud and guck on our boots. We all took time to semi clean them off and we changed into our other shoes.

Next stop was the Water treatment plant at Masson. Wow has that area changed, so much industrialization, we drove up to the lagoons, absolutely no birds. The only thing there was a very pungent odour!!!!!

As we were turning onto the highway, a Pileated Woodpecker flew by.

Onto Parc Plaisance. Lunch was in order. It was getting very hot and muggy. The park office was closed so we all saved the $10.00 entrance fee. Trust me we gave at least $10.00 worth of sweat coming back. We walked the path, hearing warbling vireo and red eyed vireo. We did see a pair of White-breasted Nuthatches. We very clearly heard a Baltimore Oriole, but finding it was, well we never did find it. We walked to the viewstand, up we went, to find Canada Geese with teenage babies, a single Great Blue Heron, who was obviously very hot (it held its wings in a very odd way) and a single very far away Wood Duck.

Walking back, I think we all felt like we were melting, the steps came slowly, the heat was draining. We all heard an Alder Flycatcher - its song is free beer, I am sure some of us thought that a Free Beer was a good idea. I tried calling the Alder in, yes two small birds came in right away, but they picked a tree that we could hardly see the little birdies.

Back at the car, I asked about where Barbara was . She was off cleaning the mud off her shoes. I decided to go help, wow there was lots and lots of mud in the sink and on her shoes. We both worked at it and they were much cleaner (but not clean) when we stopped. The sink was cleaned (I learned in Girl Guides to leave the place the way we found it) and off we went home. No ice cream today.

It was pretty hot -- 31 degrees and I don't know what it was with the humidex. Birders are hardy souls, we had a wonderful day despite the heat.