Spring Birding Mania!

Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia

Jack Pine Trail

Tuesday 3rd May –
Jack Pine Trail never fails to entertain.

It was a great morning with several highlights. Including Virginia Rail, Ovenbird and a very accommodating Swamp Sparrow.

Day list:

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Robin
4. American Tree Sparrow
5. Bank Swallow (Sand Martin)
6. Barn Swallow
7. Belted Kingfisher
8. Black & White Warbler
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Blue Jay
11. Blue-headed Vireo
12. Brown-headed Cowbird
13. Bufflehead
14. Canada Goose        
15. Chipping Sparrow
16. Cliff Swallow
17. Common Grackle
18. Common Merganser
19. Common Raven
20. Dark-eyed Junco
21. Downy Woodpecker
22. Dunlin
23. European Starling
24. Evening Grosbeak
25. Field Sparrow
26. Great-crested Flycatcher
27. Greater Yellowlegs
28. Hairy Woodpecker
29. House Sparrow
30. Lesser Scaup
31. Lesser Yellowlegs
32. Mallard
33. Mourning Dove
34. Northern Cardinal
35. Northern Flicker
36. Osprey
37. Ovenbird
38. Pine Warbler
39. Purple Finch
40. Purple Martin
41. Red-breasted Nuthatch
42. Red-tailed Hawk
43. Red-winged Blackbird
44. Ring-billed Gull
45. Ring-necked Duck
46. Rock Pigeon
47. Rough-winged Swallow
48. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
49. Ruddy Duck
50. Rusty Blackbird
51. Savanna Sparrow
52. Song Sparrow
53. Sora Rail
54. Swamp Sparrow
55. Tree Swallow
56. Virginia Rail
57. Warbling Vireo
58. White-breasted Nuthatch
59. White-throated Sparrow
60. White-winged Scoter
61. Wood Duck
62. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
63. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Virginia Rail - Rallus limicola

Swamp Sparrow - Melospiza georgiana, Photo courtesy Helena G.

Female Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus

Thursday 5th May –
Spring-like weather returns with warm sunshine. Yet only a few migrants made appearances today.

Among them included Yellow-rumped and Yellow Warblers.

The highlight of the day, was a long photo session with a very cooperative Eastern Towhee.

Day list:

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Robin
4. American Kestrel
5. Belted Kingfisher
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Blue Jay
8. Blue-winged teal
9. Broad-winged Hawk
10. Brown Thrasher
11. Brown-headed Cowbird
12. Canada Goose        
13. Chipping Sparrow
14. Common Grackle
15. Common Raven
16. Dark-eyed Junco
17. Downy Woodpecker
18. Eastern Bluebird
19. Eastern Meadowlark
20. Eastern Phoebe
21. Eastern Towhee
22. European Starling
23. Field Sparrow
24. Gadwall
25. Great Blue Heron
26. Greater Scaup
27. Grey Catbird
28. Herring Gull
29. Hooded Merganser
30. House Sparrow
31. Killdeer
32. Lesser Scaup
33. Mallard
34. Mourning Dove
35. Northern Cardinal
36. Northern Flicker
37. Northern Harrier
38. Northern Showler
39. Osprey
40. Ovenbird
41. Palm Warbler
42. Peregrine Falcon
43. Purple Martin
44. Red-tailed Hawk
45. Red-winged Blackbird
46. Ring-billed Gull
47. Ring-necked Duck
48. Rock Pigeon
49. Rough-winged Swallow
50. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
51. Ruffed Grouse
52. Rusty Blackbird
53. Savanna Sparrow
54. Sharp-shinned Hawk
55. Song Sparrow
56. Spotted Sandpiper
57. Swamp Sparrow
58. Tree Swallow
59. Turkey Vulture
60. Virginia Rail
61. White-breasted Nuthatch
62. White-throated Sparrow
63. Wild Turkey
64. Wood Duck
65. Yellow Warbler
66. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
67. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Female Yellow-rumped Warbler - Dendroica coronata - Myrtle

Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus

American Bittern - Botaurus lentiginosus, Photo courtesy Bill Bowman

Saturday 7^th May –
What an awesome day! Birds were everywhere.  And, they just seemed to keep on coming.

The morning at Petrie Island was a warbler paradise including a spectacular male Blackburnian Warbler - A real crowd-pleaser.

Day list:

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. Bald Eagle
6. Baltimore Oriole
7. Bank Swallow (Sand Martin)
8. Barn Swallow
9. Belted Kingfisher
10. Black & White Warbler
11. Blackburnian Warbler
12. Black-capped Chickadee
13. Black-throated Green Warbler
14. Blue Jay
15. Bobolink
16. Brant
17. Broad-winged Hawk
18. Brown Creeper
19. Brown Thrasher
20. Brown-headed Cowbird
21. Bufflehead
22. Canada Goose        
23. Chipping Sparrow
24. Common Grackle
25. Common Raven
26. Double-crested Cormorant
27. Downy Woodpecker
28. Eastern Kingbird
29. Eastern Meadowlark
30. Eastern Phoebe
31. European Starling
32. Great Blue Heron
33. Great-crested Flycatcher
34. Green-winged Teal
35. Grey Catbird
36. Hairy Woodpecker
37. House Sparrow
38. House Wren
39. Killdeer
40. Least Flycatcher
41. Mallard
42. Mourning Dove
43. Northern Flicker
44. Northern Parula
45. Osprey
46. Palm Warbler
47. Pied-billed Grebe
48. Purple Finch
49. Red-tailed Hawk
50. Red-winged Blackbird
51. Ring-billed Gull
52. Rock Pigeon
53. Rough-winged Swallow
54. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
55. Rusty Blackbird
56. Savanna Sparrow
57. Sharp-shinned Hawk
58. Snow Goose
59. Song Sparrow
60. Spotted Sandpiper
61. Swamp Sparrow
62. Tennessee Warbler
63. Tree Swallow
64. Turkey Vulture
65. Warbling Vireo
66. White-breasted Nuthatch
67. White-crowned Sparrow
68. White-throated Sparrow
69. Wilson's Snipe
70. Wood Duck
71. Yellow Warbler
72. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
73. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus

Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis

Sunday May 8^th – 

Happy Mother’s Day!

17 participants gathered at Andrew Haydon Park, to enjoy the wonders of spring on this special day. A lone Brant joined the Canada Geese, on one of the small ponds.

We later went for a relaxing hike around Mud Lake, Britannia.

Some of the highlights included Black-crowned Night Herons, Green Heron, White-crowned Sparrow and Rusty Blackbirds.

Day list:

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. Baltimore Oriole
6. Barn Swallow
7. Blackburnian Warbler
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. Black-crowned Night Heron
10. Black-throated Green Warbler
11. Blue Jay
12. Brant
13. Brown-headed Cowbird
14. Canada Goose 
15. Chipping Sparrow
16. Common Grackle
17. Common Raven
18. Common Tern
19. Dark-eyed Junco
20. Double-crested Cormorant
21. Downy Woodpecker
22. European Starling
23. Great Black-backed Gull
24. Great Blue Heron
25. Green Heron
26. Grey Catbird
27. Hairy Woodpecker
28. Herring Gull
29. House Finch
30. House Sparrow
31. Killdeer
32. Mallard
33. Mourning Dove
34. Northern Cardinal
35. Northern Flicker
36. Northern Mockingbird
37. Palm Warbler
38. Pine Warbler
39. Red-winged Blackbird
40. Ring-billed Gull
41. Rock Pigeon
42. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
43. Rusty Blackbird
44. Song Sparrow
45. Spotted Sandpiper
46. Tree Swallow
47. Warbling Vireo
48. White-breasted Nuthatch
49. White-crowned Sparrow
50. White-throated Sparrow
51. Wood Duck
52. Yellow Warbler
53. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Brant - Branta bernicla

Rusty Blackbird - Euphagus carolinus, Photo courtesy Heather Pickard 

Red Trillium - Trillium erectum

Monday 9^th May –
What a fantastic spring day!

Warm temperatures, bright sunshine, and no wind – ideal conditions for comfortable birdwatching.

The Brant was still at Andrew Haydon Park, along with a small family of Canada Geese with 4 tiny Goslings.

At Grand View Trail, Field Sparrows and Brown Thrashers were playing hide and seek.

Day list

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Redstart
4. American Robin
5. Baltimore Oriole
6. Barn Swallow
7. Black & White Warbler
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. Black-throated Blue Warbler
10. Blue Jay
11. Brant
12. Brown Thrasher
13. Brown-headed Cowbird
14. Bufflehead
15. Canada Goose 
16. Chipping Sparrow
17. Common Goldeneye
18. Common Grackle
19. Common Loon
20. Common Redpoll
21. Coopers Hawk
22. Double-crested Cormorant
23. Downy Woodpecker
24. Eastern Kingbird
25. European Starling
26. Field Sparrow
27. Great Blue Heron
28. Greater Scaup
29. Grey Catbird
30. Hairy Woodpecker
31. House Sparrow
32. House Wren
33. Killdeer
34. Lesser Scaup
35. Mallard
36. Merlin
37. Mourning Dove
38. Nashville Warbler
39. Northern Cardinal
40. Northern Flicker
41. Northern Mockingbird
42. Osprey
43. Pileated Woodpecker
44. Purple Finch
45. Purple Martin
46. Red-breasted Merganser
47. Red-necked Grebe
48. Red-winged Blackbird
49. Ring-billed Gull
50. Ring-necked Duck
51. Rock Pigeon
52. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
53. Rusty Blackbird
54. Song Sparrow
55. Spotted Sandpiper
56. Tree Swallow
57. Turkey Vulture
58. Warbling Vireo
59. White-breasted Nuthatch
60. White-crowned Sparrow
61. White-throated Sparrow
62. Wood Duck
63. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Gosling - Canada Goose

Brown Thrasher - Toxostoma rufum

Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus

All excursions organized by Tony Beck - Always an Adventure

Weekend Birding 30th April - 1st May 2011

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

Saturday 30^th April – this last April morning was most beautiful with green buds sprouting on the trees and bushes with the sun shining in glorious blue skies.

After being under the weather for about a week, it was most rejuvenating to be outside under such perfect conditions.

12 enthusiastic birders and photographers started the morning excursion at Petrie Island.  Not too many warblers yet. But, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers were abundant.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) - Myrtle

The highlight of the day was a self-spotted lifer, a Northern Water Thrush.

At the end of the excursion we had the total of 62 species.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. American Wigeon
6. American Kestrel
7. Baltimore Oriole
8. Barn Swallow
9. Belted Kingfisher
10. Black-capped Chickadee
11. Blue Jay
12. Brown Creeper
13. Brown Thrasher
14. Brown-headed Cowbird
15. Bufflehead
16. Canada Goose        
17. Chipping Sparrow
18. Common Grackle
19. Common Merganser
20. Common Raven
21. Double-crested Cormorant
22. Downy Woodpecker
23. Eastern Meadowlark
24. European Starling
25. Gadwall
26. Great Blue Heron
27. Green-winged Teal
28. Grey Catbird
29. Hairy Woodpecker
30. Hermit Thrush
31. House Finch
32. House Sparrow
33. Killdeer
34. Mallard
35. Mourning Dove
36. Northern Cardinal
37. Northern Flicker
38. Northern Harrier
39. Northern Pintail
40. Northern Waterthrush
41. Osprey
42. Palm Warbler
43. Pied-billed Grebe
44. Pileated Woodpecker
45. Red-tailed Hawk
46. Red-winged Blackbird
47. Ring-billed Gull
48. Ring-necked Duck
49. Rock Pigeon
50. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
51. Rusty Blackbird
52. Snow Goose
53. Song Sparrow
54. Spotted Sandpiper
55. Swamp Sparrow
56. Tree Swallow
57. Turkey Vulture
58. White-breasted Nuthatch
59. Wilson's Snipe
60. Wood Duck
61. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
62. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Sunday the 1^st May – Spring has definitely arrived with the great weather continuing from yesterday.  

12 energized birders and photographers started the morning excursion at Andrew Haydon Park.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Later in the morning we moved over to Shirley’s Bay where we had a flock of Canada Geese flying overhead that included a Cackling Goose and a Greater Snow Goose.

3 Canada Geese, a Cackling Goose, a Greater Snow Goose, 3 Canada Geese

Other interesting new birds for the season were Horned Grebe, Purple Martin and Chimney Swift.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) Photo courtesy of Helena G.

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) Photo courtesy of Helena G.

We ended up with a day list of 56 species:

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Robin
4. American Tree Sparrow
5. American Wigeon
6. Barrow's Goldeneye
7. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Blue Jay
9. Brown Creeper
10. Brown Thrasher
11. Brown-headed Cowbird
12. Bufflehead
13. Cackling Goose
14. Canada Goose        
15. Chimney Swift
16. Chipping Sparrow
17. Common Goldeneye
18. Common Grackle
19. Common Merganser
20. Common Raven
21. Dark-eyed Junco
22. Double-crested Cormorant
23. Downy Woodpecker
24. European Starling
25. Great Blue Heron
26. Hairy Woodpecker
27. Herring Gull
28. Horned Grebe
29. House Sparrow
30. House Wren
31. Killdeer
32. Lesser Scaup
33. Mallard
34. Mourning Dove
35. Northern Cardinal
36. Northern Flicker
37. Northern Waterthrush
38. Osprey
39. Pileated Woodpecker
40. Purple Martin
41. Red-winged Blackbird
42. Ring-billed Gull
43. Ring-necked Duck
44. Rock Pigeon
45. Rough-winged Swallow
46. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
47. Rusty Blackbird
48. Snow Goose
49. Song Sparrow
50. Spotted Sandpiper
51. Tree Swallow
52. White-breasted Nuthatch
53. White-throated Sparrow
54. Wood Duck
55. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
56. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

Excursion organized by Tony Beck - Always An Adventure

Spring Birding 11-17 April 2011

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx Serripennis

Tuesday 12th April :

The first day of the spring program started at Petrie Island.

It was cool and fresh but that didn’t scare the birds away. The activity was high, and it seemed like most of the action was happening overhead.

16 Wood  Duck drakes chasing a single female, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 13 Sandhill Cranes, and the day’s highlight the fantastic Northern Goshawk .

Day list: 

1. Mallard
2. Canada Goose
3. Red-Tailed Hawk
4. Ring-billed Gull
5. Rock Pigeon
6. American Crow
7. Common Raven
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. American Robin
10. European Starling
11. American Tree Sparrow
12. Song Sparrow
13. Red-winged Blackbird
14. Common Grackle
15. American Goldfinch
16. House Sparrow
17. Turkey Vulture
18. Hairy Woodpecker
19. Downy Woodpecker
20. Common Goldeneye
21. White-breasted Nuthatch
22. Mourning Dove
23. Killdeer
24. Herring Gull
25. Common Merganser
26. American Black Duck
27. Coopers Hawk
28. Hooded Merganser
29. Ring-necked Duck
30. Tree Swallow
31. Wood Duck
32. Sandhill Crane
33. Northern Harrier
34. Great Blue Heron
35. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
36. Eastern Phoebe
37. Northern Pintail
38. American Kestrel
39. Barn Swallow
40. Bufflehead
41. Brown-headed Cowbird
42. Pileated Woodpecker
43. Common Loon
44. Northern Flicker
45. Sharp-shinned Hawk
46. Evening Grosbeak
47. Horned Lark
48. Northern Goshawk

Beaver

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus varius

Thursday 14^th April – Photo day

New to the spring program this year are “Wildlife Photography Days”, which started at Britannia Conservation Area.  We were thrown into action almost from the beginning, experiencing a Coopers Hawk catching his meal, a European Starling.

The class occupied with the Coopers Hawk

Later in the morning we moved over to Shirley’s Bay and the Hilda Road feeders, where we had a beautiful White-throated Sparrow singing his heart out. We also had the pleasure of watching a porcupine slowly eating fresh leaf buds.   

Day list:

1. Canada Goose
2. Mallard
3. Ring-billed Gull
4. Rock Pigeon
5. Blue Jay
6. American Crow
7. Common Raven
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. American Robin
10. European Starling
11. American Tree Sparrow
12. Song Sparrow
13. Northern Cardinal
14. Red-winged Blackbird
15. Common Grackle
16. American Goldfinch
17. House Sparrow
18. Turkey Vulture
19. Hairy Woodpecker
20. Common Goldeneye
21. White-breasted Nuthatch
22. Mourning Dove
23. Killdeer
24. Herring Gull
25. Common Merganser
26. American Black Duck
27. Coopers Hawk
28. Hooded Merganser
29. Tree Swallow
30. Black-crowned Night Heron
31. White-throated Sparrow
32. America Wigeon
33. Wood Duck
34. House Finch
35. Dark-eyed Junco
36. Great Blue Heron
37. Barn Swallow
38. Osprey
39. Brown-headed Cowbird
40. Pied-billed grebe
41. Great Black-backed Gull
42. Merlin
43. Northern Flicker
44. Northern Rough-winged Swallow 

Porcupine 

Saturday 16^th April :

The morning started with a magnificent Great Egret flying overhead at Mud Lake. Strong winds gave promises of interesting birds, and we had 4 different kinds of Swallows in addition to another welcomed spring migrant, the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle). A Belted Kingfisher and several Fox Sparrows were  other highlights of the day.

Day list:

1. Canada Goose
2. Mallard
3. Red-Tailed Hawk
4. Ring-billed Gull
5. Rock Pigeon
6. Blue Jay
7. American Crow
8. Common Raven
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. American Robin
11. European Starling
12. American Tree Sparrow
13. Song Sparrow
14. Northern Cardinal
15. Red-winged Blackbird
16. Common Grackle
17. House Sparrow
18. Bohemian Waxwing
19. Turkey Vulture
20. Hairy Woodpecker
21. Downy Woodpecker
22. Common Goldeneye
23. Brown Creeper
24. White-breasted Nuthatch
25. Mourning Dove
26. Killdeer
27. Herring Gull
28. Common Merganser
29. American Black Duck
30. Hooded Merganser
31. Ring-necked Duck
32. Lesser Scaup
33. Tree Swallow
34. Black-crowned Night Heron
35. White-throated Sparrow
36. Wood Duck
37. Wild Turkey
38. Dark-eyed Junco
39. Northern Harrier
40. Great Blue Heron
41. Barn Swallow
42. Bufflehead
43. Ruddy Duck
44. Osprey
45. Brown-headed Cowbird
46. Pied-billed Grebe
47. Common Loon
48. Northern Flicker
49. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
50. Cliff Swallow
51. Golden-crowned Kinglet
52. Yellow-rumped Warbler
53. Northern Flicker
54. Fox Sparrow
55. Great Egret
56. Belted Kingfisher

Ruffed Grouse - Bonasa umbellus 

Sunday 17^th April :

We witnessed a most fantastic event this morning at the Dewberry trail. For the first time in my life I observed the full display of an adult male Ruffed Grouse. Clearly something that will never be forgotten.

We also had big numbers of Dark-eyed Juncos, and again we spotted the Sandhill Cranes, flying majestically on the strong winds.

Day list:

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. American Wigeon
6. Belted Kingfisher
7. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Broad-winged Hawk
9. Brown Creeper
10. Brown-headed Cowbird
11. Bufflehead
12. Cackling Goose
13. Canada Goose        
14. Common Grackle
15. Common Merganser
16. Common Raven
17. Dark-eyed Junco
18. Downy Woodpecker
19. European Starling
20. Fox Sparrow
21. Gadvall
22. Golden-crowned Kinglet
23. Great Blue Heron
24. Green-winged Teal
25. Killdeer
26. Mallard
27. Mourning Dove
28. Northern Flicker
29. Northern Harrier
30. Northern Pintail
31. Osprey
32. Pileated Woodpecker
33. Red-tailed Hawk
34. Red-winged Blackbird
35. Ring-billed Gull
36. Rock Pigeon
37. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
38. Ruffed Grouse
39. Sandhill Crane
40. Song Sparrow
41. Tree Swallow
42. White-breasted Nuthatch
43. Wild Turkey
44. Wood Duck
45. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura

The first week of the spring program is over, and O’boy, did we ever have a lot of new birds!

Keep them coming... !! ;o)

Excursions organized by Tony Beck - Always An Adventure

Weekend Excursions April 9th and 10th – 2011

Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia

It was the last days of the winter birding program, and what a Grand Finale we had!!

Saturday morning, we started at the Dewbarry Trail achieving a list of 30 species before 8am.

From there we went to the Mer Bleue boardwalk, a conservation area in Ottawa with almost 5000 acres of peat bog. Not as productive as the morning it was still a most relaxing and refreshing walk.

Saturday's enthusiastic crowd

Mer Bleue Boardwalk

Highlights amongst the 61 species were Eastern Bluebird, Barn and Tree Swallows, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Heron, Eastern Phoebe and Osprey.

Day list:

1.       Canada Goose

2.       Mallard

3.       Red-tailed Hawk

4.       Ring-billed Gull

5.       Rock Pigeon

6.       Blue Jay

7.       American Crow

8.       Common Raven

9.       Black-capped Chickadee

10.   American Robin

11.   European Starling

12.   American Tree Sparrow

13.   Northern Cardinal

14.   Red-winged Blackbird

15.   Common Grackle

16.   American Goldfinch

17.   House Sparrow

18.   Bohemian Waxwing

19.   Turkey Vulture

20.   Downy Woodpecker

21.   Common Goldeneye

22.   White-breasted Nuthatch

23.   Mourning Dove

24.   Killdeer

25.   Herring Gull

26.   Common Merganser

27.   American Black Duck

28.   Coopers Hawk

29.   Hooded Merganser

30.   Ring-necked Duck

31.   Lesser Scaup

32.   Tree Swallow

33.   Black-crowned Night Heron

34.   White-throated Sparrow

35.   American Wigeon

36.   Wood Duck

37.   House Finch

38.   Double-crested Cormorant

39.   Red-necked Grebe

40.   Wild Turkey

41.   Dark-eyed Junco

42.   Common Redpoll

43.   Purple Finch

44.   Sandhill Crane

45.   Cackling Goose

46.   Northern Harrier

47.   Great Blue Heron

48.   Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

49.   Eastern Phoebe

50.   Northern Pintail

51.   American Kestrel

52.   Eastern Bluebird

53.   Barn Swallow

54.   Bufflehead

55.   Ruddy Duck

56.   Snow Goose

57.   Green-winged Teal

58.   Osprey

59.   Wilson's Snipe

60.   Brown-headed Cowbird

61.   Pied-billed Grebe

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus

Sunday, the last day of Tony's Winter program, started with approximately 5000 Bohemian Waxwings! We barely had time to leave our cars before the most impressive flock came flying over head at the corner of Blvd Gamelin and Promenade du Portage in Gatineau.

Bohemian Waxwing - Bombycilla garrulus - Photo courtesy of Heather Pickard 

We were mesmerized and spent quite some time photographing and admiring the birds, whereof we also had the pleasure of viewing a Leucistic Bohemian Waxwing in addition to a single Cedar Waxwing.

Bohemian Waxwing - Bombycilla garrulus - Photo courtesy of Tony Beck

After indulging with the flock, we drove east to the Plaisance Wildlife Reserve.

Before the end of the excursion we had again 61 species on our day list, with highlights like Barrow’s Goldneye, Common Loon, Bufflehead, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk.

Day list:

1. Canada Goose
2. Mallard
3. Red-Tailed Hawk
4. Ring-billed Gull
5. Rock Pigeon
6. Blue Jay
7. American Crow
8. Common Raven
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. American Robin
11. European Starling
12. American Tree Sparrow
13. Song Sparrow
14. Northern Cardinal
15. Common Gracle
16. American Goldfinch
17. House Sparrow
18. Bohemian Waxwing
19. Turkey Vulture
20. Downy Woodpecker
21. Common Goldeneye
22. White-breasted Nuthatch
23. Mourning Dove
24. Killdeer
25. Herring Gull
26. Common Merganser
27. American Black Duck
28. Hooded Merganser
29. Ring-necked Duck
30. Ring-necked Duck
31. Lesser Scaup
32. Tree Swallow
33. Black-crowned Night Heron
34. White-throated Sparrow
35. American Wigeon
36. Wood Duck
37. House Finch
38. Red-necked Grebe
39. Wild Turkey
40. Dark-eyed Junco
41. Common Redpoll
42. Cackling Goose
43. Northern Harrier
44. Great Blue Heron
45. Eastern Phoebe
46. American Kestrel
47. Bufflehead
48. Green-winged Teal
49. Osprey
50. Brown-headed Cowbird
51. Pied-billed Grebe
52. Great Black-backed Gull
53. Merlin
54. Cedar Waxwing
55. Hermit Thrush
56. Pileated Woodpecker
57. Common Loon
58. Peregrine Falcon
59. Barrow's Goldeneye
60. Bald Eagle
61. Red-shouldered Hawk

~ Always An Adventure ~

American Robin - Turdus migratorius

Pussy Willow

Tapping for Maple Syrup

Now, we are ready for the next wave of SPRING Migration!!

Bring it on!