Thursday, July 15, 2010

July 14, 2010 birding along the Ottawa River

With the continued low water levels along the Ottawa River, today, July 14th, Ben and I birded the river searching for shorebirds. The highest concentration, all adults in various stages of moult, was at Shirleys Bay with 68 Lesser Yellowlegs, 7 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 11 Least Sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4 Short-billed Dowitcher, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Sandpiper and 1 Killdeer. Also present were 3 Great Egret. We observed 1 adult Red-headed Woodpecker at the old burn site at Constance Bay.

Good Birding,
Bruce & Ben


Directions: Shirley's Bay: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to the Moodie Drive exit and turn north (right) on Moodie Drive and continue to Carling Ave. Turn left at Carling Ave. and follow Carling to Rifle Road. Turn right (north) on Rifle Rd. Park at the lot at the end (boat launch).
Walk back to the road, and continue through the gate on the Department of National Defense property. There is a trail on your right (clearly marked with vehicle "No Entry" signs) which heads into the woods, and, eventually to the dyke. There is lots of POISON IVY along the dyke. **** PLEASE NOTE**** YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE RANGE CONTROL OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING THE DYKE AREA-- Call (613) 991-5740 and request permission to visit the dyke area for birding.




Low water levels at Shirley's Bay attract southbound shorebirds and both herons and egrets.


Great Egret are becoming almost a regular site along the Ottawa River.


The extensive mudflats at Constance Bay can be very good for shorebird watching later in August.


The old burn site at Constance Bay is still the best location for the Red-headed Woodpecker in the Ottawa area.

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