Lush Green Spring!

Cerulean Warbler

Grassy fields in search of Sparrows

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Mer Bleue Bard Walk

Mer Bleue Bard Walk

Thursday May 24:

It was a fantastic morning with blue skies and bright sunshine.

We went to the grassy fields south of Ottawa to explore the open habitats around Ottawa International Airport.

Not surprisingly, we had all our target sparrows such as Grasshopper, Field, Clay-coloured and Vesper Sparrow. We also had Eastern Bluebird, Bobolink, Indigo Bunting and Brown Thrasher.

After the fields we ventured out to Mer Bleue for even more targets such as Yellow Palm Warbler, Lincoln and Swamp Sparrow. While observing a Swamp Sparrow, we enjoyed a Sandhill Crane and three  Broad-winged Hawks fly over.

1. Alder Flycatcher
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. Baltimore Oriole
6. Barn Swallow
7. Black & White Warbler
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. Blue Jay
10. Bobolink
11. Broad-winged Hawk
12. Brown Thrasher
13. Brown-headed Cowbird
14. Canada Goose        
15. Chestnut-sided Warbler
16. Chipping Sparrow
17. Clay-colored Sparrow
18. Common Grackle
19. Common Yellowthroat
20. Eastern Bluebird
21. Eastern Kingbird
22. European Starling
23. Grasshopper Sparrow
24. Gray Catbird
25. Great Blue Heron
26. Great-crested Flycatcher
27. Indigo Bunting
28. Lincoln's Sparrow
29. Mallard
30. Mourning Dove
31. Northern Flicker
32. Northern Waterthrush
33. Ovenbird
34. Palm Warbler
35. Purple Finch
36. Red-tailed Hawk
37. Red-winged Blackbird
38. Ring-billed Gull
39. Rock Pigeon
40. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
41. Sandhill Crane
42. Savannah Sparrow
43. Scarlet Tanager
44. Song Sparrow
45. Swamp Sparrow
46. Tree Swallow
47. Turkey Vulture
48. Vesper Sparrow
49. White-throated Sparrow
50. Wild Turkey
51. Wood Thrush
52. Yellow Warbler

Scenery at Chaffey's Locks

Golden-winged Warbler

Yellow-throated Vireo

Lush green forest at Chaffey's Locks

Tony trying to squeak in Barred Owls...

And guess what; there they were! Barred Owl

Saturday May 26:

We started bright and early for our carolinian adventure to Chaffey's Locks.

We had a hot and wonderful day exploring the area, where some of our best songbirds were Yellow-throated Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Black-billed Cuckoo, Cerulean & Golden Winged Warbler. On the raptor side we had several Red-shouldered Hawks, a few Broad-winged Hawks and Coopers Hawk.

But, the highlight of the day was seeing a Brewster's Warbler and on our last trail, we encountered 3 Barred Owls! It was an amazing site and a big surprise!

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Redstart
4. American Robin
5. American Kestrel
6. Baltimore Oriole
7. Bank Swallow (Sand Martin)
8. Barn Swallow
9. Barred Owl
10. Black & White Warbler
11. Black-billed Cuckoo
12. Blackburnian Warbler
13. Black-capped Chickadee
14. Black-throated Green Warbler
15. Bobolink
16. Brewster's Warbler
17. Broad-winged Hawk
18. Canada Goose        
19. Cedar Waxwing
20. Cerulean Warbler
21. Chimney Swift
22. Chipping Sparrow
23. Common Grackle
24. Common Raven
25. Common Yellowthroat
26. Coopers Hawk
27. Double-crested Cormorant
28. Downy Woodpecker
29. Eastern Bluebird
30. Eastern Kingbird
31. Eastern Meadowlark
32. European Starling
33. Gadwall
34. Golden-winged Warbler
35. Great Blue Heron
36. Great-crested Flycatcher
37. Green Heron
38. Hairy Woodpecker
39. House Finch
40. Indigo Bunting
41. Mallard
42. Mourning Dove
43. Nashville Warbler
44. Northern Cardinal
45. Northern Flicker
46. Northern Waterthrush
47. Osprey
48. Ovenbird
49. Pine Warbler
50. Purple Finch
51. Red-eyed Vireo
52. Red-shouldered Hawk
53. Red-winged Blackbird
54. Ring-billed Gull
55. Rock Pigeon
56. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
57. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
58. Ruffed Grouse
59. Savannah Sparrow
60. Scarlet Tanager
61. Song Sparrow
62. Spotted Sandpiper
63. Tree Swallow
64. Turkey Vulture
65. Warbling Vireo
66. White-breasted Nuthatch
67. White-throated Sparrow
68. Wild Turkey
69. Wilson's Snipe
70. Yellow Warbler
71. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
72. Yellow-throated Vireo

Giant Swallowtail

Hunting Lincoln's Sparrow at Mer Bleue

Home sweet Home

Sunday May 27:

Another Sparrow day in the lush green area around Ottawa International Airport.

The weather was cooler this morning and the birds not so active. But we had great views of Field, Grasshopper, Clay-colored and Vesper Sparrow. In addition we had Brown Thrasher, Chestnut-sided Warbler,  Palm Warbler, Lincoln Sparrow, and just as we were leaving the parking lot at Mer Bleue, we had a Sandhill Crane fly over.

1. Alder Flycatcher
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. Baltimore Oriole
6. Black & White Warbler
7. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Blue Jay
9. Bobolink
10. Brown Thrasher
11. Brown-headed Cowbird
12. Canada Goose        
13. Chestnut-sided Warbler
14. Chipping Sparrow
15. Clay-colored Sparrow
16. Common Raven
17. Common Yellowthroat
18. Double-crested Cormorant
19. Eastern Kingbird
20. European Starling
21. Field Sparrow
22. Grasshopper Sparrow
23. Gray Catbird
24. Great-crested Flycatcher
25. House Wren
26. Indigo Bunting
27. Killdeer
28. Lincoln's Sparrow
29. Mallard
30. Mourning Dove
31. Nashville Warbler
32. Northern Flicker
33. Ovenbird
34. Palm Warbler
35. Pileated Woodpecker
36. Purple Martin
37. Red-eyed Vireo
38. Red-tailed Hawk
39. Red-winged Blackbird
40. Ring-billed Gull
41. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
42. Sandhill Crane
43. Song Sparrow
44. Swamp Sparrow
45. Tree Swallow
46. Turkey Vulture
47. Veery
48. Vesper Sparrow
49. Warbling Vireo
50. White-throated Sparrow
51. Wild Turkey
52. Yellow Warbler
53. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Great-crested Flycatcher

Britannia Point, scouting Bonaparte Gulls

Tuesday May 29:

We had a good day today at Britannia and Mud Lake. The promised rain kept away all morning, and we had clear skies, although a bit humid.

We had several warblers, such as Magnolia, Nashville, Black & White, Black-throated Green, Yellow and Blackpoll Warbler.

There were Black-crowned Night Herons everywhere, and we also saw a couple of Great Egrets.

The cutest sight was when a female Hooded Merganser with her many chicks swam by a female Wood Duck, also with her chicks.

1. Alder Flycatcher
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Redstart
5. American Robin
6. Baltimore Oriole
7. Belted Kingfisher
8. Black & White Warbler
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Black-crowned Night Heron
11. Blackpoll Warbler
12. Black-throated Green Warbler
13. Bonaparte's Gull
14. Canada Goose        
15. Cedar Waxwing
16. Common Grackle
17. Common Merganser
18. Common Raven
19. Common Tern
20. Common Yellowthroat
21. Double-crested Cormorant
22. Downy Woodpecker
23. Eastern Kingbird
24. Eastern Wood-Pewee
25. European Starling
26. Gray Catbird
27. Great Blue Heron
28. Great Egret
29. Great-crested Flycatcher
30. Green Heron
31. Hairy Woodpecker
32. Herring Gull
33. Hooded Merganser
34. House Finch
35. Least Flycatcher
36. Magnolia Warbler
37. Mallard
38. Mourning Dove
39. Nashville Warbler
40. Northern Cardinal
41. Pied-billed Grebe
42. Pine Warbler
43. Red-breasted Nuthatch
44. Red-eyed Vireo
45. Red-winged Blackbird
46. Ring-billed Gull
47. Song Sparrow
48. Spotted Sandpiper
49. Tree Swallow
50. Warbling Vireo
51. Wood Duck
52. Yellow Warbler 

Let the Sunshine in!

All excursions organized by Always An Adventure

Next weekend we're off to Algonquin Park

Stay tuned & enjoy the warming season!

Spring is Finally Here!

Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Saturday 28 April:

We started the morning at Petrie Island.

It was beautiful sunshine with a crisp spring wind coming from north-west.

Song Sparrows were singing everywhere and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were drumming from several places.

The short trail around the island revealed Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Winter Wren.

After our obligatory stop at Timmy's we went driving around, and on our journey we saw Greater Yellowlegs, Sandhill Crane, Bald Eagle, Barn & Tree Swallow, several sparrows and other songbirds.

All in all we ended up with 52 species on this glorious day.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Robin
4. American Tree Sparrow
5. Bald Eagle
6. Barn Swallow
7. Belted Kingfisher
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. Blue Jay
10. Brown Creeper
11. Brown-headed Cowbird
12. Bufflehead
13. Canada Goose        
14. Chipping Sparrow
15. Common Grackle
16. Common Merganser
17. Common Moorhen
18. Common Raven
19. Double-crested Cormorant
20. Downy Woodpecker
21. European Starling
22. Great Blue Heron
23. Greater Yellowlegs
24. Green-winged Teal
25. Hairy Woodpecker
26. House Finch
27. House Sparrow
28. Killdeer
29. Mallard
30. Mourning Dove
31. Northern Flicker
32. Northern Harrier
33. Osprey
34. Red-tailed Hawk
35. Red-winged Blackbird
36. Ring-billed Gull
37. Ring-necked Duck
38. Rock Pigeon
39. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
40. Sandhill Crane
41. Savannah Sparrow
42. Song Sparrow
43. Tree Swallow
44. Turkey Vulture
45. White-breasted Nuthatch
46. White-throated Sparrow
47. Wild Turkey
48. Wilson's Snipe
49. Winter Wren
50. Wood Duck
51. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
52. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Female Yellow-rumped Warbler

Male Wood Duck, Photo Courtesy Roger Cobbledick

Sunday 29 April:

The weather was very much the same as on Saturday, although a little bit milder in the morning.

We met at Andrew Haydon Park and did a small stroll around the park including the beach.

We then went to the Grandview Trail where we had Eastern Towhee, Brown Trasher and a beautiful singing male White-throated Sparrow.

After a short hike, we went driving around the near by area and encountered several Red-tailed Hawks, 4 Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Eastern Bluebird and White-winged Scoter, to mention a few.

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Robin
4. American Kestrel
5. Barn Swallow
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Broad-winged Hawk
8. Brown Creeper
9. Brown-headed Cowbird
10. Bufflehead
11. Canada Goose        
12. Cedar Waxwing
13. Common Grackle
14. Common Raven
15. Dark-eyed Junco
16. Double-crested Cormorant
17. Downy Woodpecker
18. Eastern Bluebird
19. Eastern Meadowlark
20. Eastern Phoebe
21. Eastern Towhee
22. European Starling
23. Great Blue Heron
24. Hooded Merganser
25. House Sparrow
26. Lesser Scaup
27. Mallard
28. Mourning Dove
29. Northern Cardinal
30. Northern Flicker
31. Northern Harrier
32. Pied-billed Grebe
33. Red-tailed Hawk
34. Red-winged Blackbird
35. Ring-billed Gull
36. Rock Pigeon
37. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
38. Sharp-shinned Hawk
39. Song Sparrow
40. Swamp Sparrow
41. Tree Swallow
42. Turkey Vulture
43. Virginia Rail
44. White-breasted Nuthatch
45. White-throated Sparrow
46. White-winged Scoter
47. Wild Turkey
48. Wood Duck
49. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Grandview Trail - Ottawa

Male White-throated Sparrow

Male Eastern Towhee

Brown Thrasher

Tuesday 1st May:

We started the month with a spectacular day of birding. 

We had light drizzle, mild temperature and no wind.

Again, we started the morning hiking around Andrew Haydon Park.

It was a beautiful sight to see a bonded pair of Canada Geese with their 4 goslings hiding under the secure wing of one of their parents.

We then went to Shirley's Bay and took a little walk there before we hit the road.

We had a total of 66 species today, including American Bittern, Black & White Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Common Moorhen, Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Horned Grebe and Ruffed Grouse.

1. American Bittern
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. American Tree Sparrow
6. Barn Swallow
7. Belted Kingfisher
8. Black & White Warbler
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Blue Jay
11. Brown Creeper
12. Brown Thrasher
13. Bufflehead
14. Canada Goose        
15. Cedar Waxwing
16. Common Goldeneye
17. Common Grackle
18. Common Merganser
19. Common Moorhen
20. Common Raven
21. Double-crested Cormorant
22. Downy Woodpecker
23. Eastern Bluebird
24. Eastern Meadowlark
25. European Starling
26. Field Sparrow
27. Gadwall
28. Great Blue Heron
29. Greater Scaup
30. Hairy Woodpecker
31. Hermit Thrush
32. Herring Gull
33. Hooded Merganser
34. Horned Grebe
35. Killdeer
36. Lesser Scaup
37. Mallard
38. Mourning Dove
39. Northern Cardinal
40. Northern Flicker
41. Northern Harrier
42. Osprey
43. Pileated Woodpecker
44. Purple Finch
45. Red-breasted Merganser
46. Red-breasted Nuthatch
47. Red-necked Grebe
48. Red-winged Blackbird
49. Ring-billed Gull
50. Ring-necked Duck
51. Rock Pigeon
52. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
53. Ruffed Grouse
54. Savannah Sparrow
55. Song Sparrow
56. Swamp Sparrow
57. Tree Swallow
58. Turkey Vulture
59. Virginia Rail
60. White-breasted Nuthatch
61. White-throated Sparrow
62. Wild Turkey
63. Wilson's Snipe
64. Wood Duck
65. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
66. Yellow-rumped Warbler

American Bittern

Virginia Rail, Photo Courtesy Bill Bowman

Virginia Rail Habitat

Thursday 3rd May:

With a hint of drizzle and no wind, it started out to be a very promising day at Petree Island.

Birds were actively singing all over the place, and we were awarded with 7 different species of warblers.

These were Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated green, Blackburnian, Magnolia, Nashville and Nothern Waterthrush.

Other gems today were Rough-winged Swallow, Green Heron, Blue-winged Teal and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. Bald Eagle
6. Barn Swallow
7. Belted Kingfisher
8. Blackburnian Warbler
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Black-throated Green Warbler
11. Blue-winged teal
12. Brown Creeper
13. Brown Thrasher
14. Brown-headed Cowbird
15. Bufflehead
16. Canada Goose        
17. Chipping Sparrow
18. Common Grackle
19. Common Loon
20. Common Merganser
21. Double-crested Cormorant
22. Downy Woodpecker
23. Eastern Bluebird
24. Eastern Meadowlark
25. Eastern Phoebe
26. European Starling
27. Great Blue Heron
28. Green Heron
29. Green-winged Teal
30. Hermit Thrush
31. Hooded Merganser
32. House Sparrow
33. Killdeer
34. Magnolia Warbler
35. Mallard
36. Merlin
37. Mourning Dove
38. Nashville Warbler
39. Northern Flicker
40. Northern Waterthrush
41. Osprey
42. Pileated Woodpecker
43. Purple Finch
44. Red-winged Blackbird
45. Ring-billed Gull
46. Rock Pigeon
47. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
48. Rough-winged Swallow
49. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
50. Rusty Blackbird
51. Savannah Sparrow
52. Song Sparrow
53. Spotted Sandpiper
54. Tree Swallow
55. Turkey Vulture
56. Virginia Rail
57. Warbling Vireo
58. White-breasted Nuthatch
59. White-throated Sparrow
60. Wilson's Snipe
61. Winter Wren
62. Wood Duck
63. Yellow Warbler
64. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
65. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Rough-winged Swallow

Petrie Island

Red-tailed Hawk (see under how it was captured), Photo Courtesy Tony Beck

Capturing and viewing Red-tailed Hawk

All excursions organized by:

Always An Adventure

We are now taking a 14 days break in our local program, to go to Point Pelee with Road Scholar.
See you at the end of May ~

Happy Spring Birding!