NeilyWorld      Birding Ottawa - Winter Birding

King Eider          Very rarely seen in the Ottawa area itself, the King Eider is seen with some regularity in late fall and early winter off Owen Point in Presqu'ile Provincial Park. A scattering of records over the years, the most current being a female seen on November 2, 2004. Link to Where and When to See Guide's King Eider entry.      Return to Main Menu

Harlequin Duck          None report so far this winter. 2003-04: A female Harlequin Duck was again seen in the Rideau River from Riverain Park, directly across from Strathcona Park on November 15, 2003 to at least November 27. Look through the flock of Mallard, Black Duck and Common Goldeneye and along the shoreline. This is almost certainly the same bird beginning its fifth winter in this spot. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Harlequin Duck entry.      Return to Main Menu

Barrow's Goldeneye          Two male Barrow's Goldeneyes have been seen all winter at Remic Rapids, one of their usual haunts. A Barrow's X Common Goldeneye hybrid is being seen from Strathcona Park, directly across from Riverain Park on a regular basis. Photo of this bird on Feb. 23, 2005 courtesy Tony Beck. On the Dec. 3, 2004, a male Barrow's was seen from the railway bridge on the east side of Lemieux Island. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Barrow's Goldeneye entry.      Return to Main Menu

Bald Eagle          On Dec. 5, 2004, an adult Bald Eagle was seen flying west over Fallowfield Road. Four at Contance Bay on Dec. 8, 2004 and one Dec. 12. Another was at Petrie Island on Dec. 12, 2004. One was at the Deschenes Rapids on Jan. 3, 2005. Two seen in the Lac de Loup and Lac La Peche area north of Quyon, QC on Jan. 16, 2005. Jan. 21, 2005 - 4 were seen along the Eardley Escarpment, west of Eardley, QC. Jan. 23, 2005 - a single Bald Eagle was reported from the Lac Lablanche area north of Mayo, QC. Jan. 29, 2005 - 4 were seen along the Eardley Escarpment (Eardley and Steele Line Roads). Jan. 30, 2005 - 3 were seen in the Lac Lablanche area north of Mayo, QC. Feb. 4, 2005 - one at Huron Lookout area. Feb. 6, 2005 - 5 were seen near the park entrance on the Eardley-Masham (Ramsey Lake) Road, an adult was seen at Lac Blind in Gatineau Park off the Eardley-Masham (Ramsey Lake) Road, and an immature flew over the Paugan dam in Low. Feb. 19, 2005 - 1 seen in the Presqu'iˆle Provincial Park, QC. Feb. 27, 2005 - 9 (4 adult and 5 immature) Bald Eagles were seen along the Eardley-Masham (Ramsey Lake) Road. On Mar. 19, 2005 there were 4 Bald Eagles along the Eardley-Masham (Ramsey Lake) Road in Gatineau Park, QC. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Bald Eagle entry.      Return to Main Menu

Northern Goshawk          One is being seen periodically at the Duck Club feeder on March Valley Road. Photo of this bird chasing a Mourning Dove on Jan. 31, 2005 courtesy Robert Alford. And one was seen on the newly fledged Larose Forest - Casselman Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 4, 2005. One at Fitzroy Provincial Park on Jan. 9, 2005. One seen on Jan. 16, 2005 in the Lac de Loup and Lac La Peche area north of Quyon, QC. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Northern Goshawk entry.      Return to Main Menu

Rough-legged Hawk          Present in our area in smaller than usual numbers so far this winter. Two seen near the Gatineau Airport on Jan. 8, 2005. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Rough-legged Hawk entry.      Return to Main Menu

Golden Eagle          A Golden Eagle made its way across the Adolphus Reach, Prince Edward County, ON on Dec. 26, 2004. On Jan. 15, 2005, one was seen on the Quebec side in the area of Steel Line and Eardley-Masham Roads. On Mar. 19 one was seen from Chemin Chégheur along the Eardley Escarpment, QC. On Mar. 19 - 20, 2005 there was one at Lac Pierre à Chute St-Philippe, QC. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Golden Eagle entry.      Return to Main Menu

Peregrine Falcon          Our local pair is seen infrequently, especially at their favourite haunts: on the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Ottawa and the Coats Building, Tunney's Pasture and along the Ottawa River. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Peregrine Falcon entry.      Return to Main Menu

Gyrfalcon          The first Gyrfalcon of the season bypassed Ottawa to visit Presqu'ile Provincial Park. A dark-phase Gyrfalcon was seen sitting on Beach # 3 on Nov. 3, 2004. As did the second, seen at the Dupont Plant at 255 Front Street in Kingston, ON on Dec. 5, 2004. There were no more sightings until Mar. 1, 2005 at Cornwall, ON.; Mar. 16, 2005 - one at Wolfe Island, ON and a possible north of Richmond, ON; and Mar. 19, 2005 - one at Amherst Island, ON. The latter three birds were all white phase. These March birds are all likely spring migrants. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Gyrfalcon entry.      Return to Main Menu

Gray Partridge          Seven birds were seen on the Kinburn Side Road, between Highway 417 and Donald B. Munro on Dec. 11 or 12, 2004. Three were found on Jan. 16, 2005 near 3670 Woodkilton Road, east of Kinburn Side Road, where the railway crosses the road. A small group of Gray Partridge were seen near the corner of Terry Fox Drive and Maple Grove Road in Kanata, ON on Jan. 23, 2005 and at least one on Jan. 29, 2005. From Jan. 30 to Mar. 6, 2005 - 12 have been seen repeatedly on a small knoll near the derelict windmill near the corner of Moodie Drive and Brophy Drive/Bankfield Road. In Quebec, 7 were seen on Feb. 20, 2005 in the eastern section of Presqu'île Provincial Park and 13 were seen on Feb. 23, 2005 at 535 Boulevard de la Gappe in Gatineau. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Gray Partridge entry.      Return to Main Menu

Thayer's Gull          None reported during the winter. An advanced 1st winter Thayer's Gull appeared on Mar. 27, 2005 on the ice above Remic Rapids with a mixed gull flock. Not present the next day. 2003-04: One first winter Thayer's Gull was at the Deschenes Rapids on Dec. 31. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Thayer's Gull entry.      Return to Main Menu

Iceland Gull          Three Iceland Gulls along with approximately 50 Glaucous Gulls were noted at the Ottawa River on Jan. 3, 2005. Most of these birds were coming in to roost with a large number of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls, on the ice above the Deschenes Rapids. Four birds were with the gull flock at the Nepean Dump on Jan. 12, 2005, some still present Jan. 24, 2005. On Mar. 19, 2005 there was one there. On Mar. 20, 2005 at the Deschenes Rapids there was one 1st winter and one adult Iceland Gull, and at Remic Rapids there was one 1st winter bird. Mar. 27, 2005 - still present at Remic Rapids.Link to Where and When to See Guide's Iceland Gull entry.      Return to Main Menu

Lesser Black-backed Gull          At least one of these birds were with the gull flock at the Nepean Dump on Jan. 24, 2005. On April 8, 2004, there was one off Britannia Pier and seven birds were in the general area of the Nepean Dump, including the farm fields off Barnsdale Road and Moodie Drive. On April 16, 2005 there were 6 on the remaining ice-edge at Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa ON. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Lesser Black-backed Gull entry.      Return to Main Menu

Glaucous Gull          Approximately 50 Glaucous Gulls along with 3 Iceland Gulls were noted at the Ottawa River on Jan. 3, 2005. Most of these birds were coming in to roost with a large number of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls, on the ice above the Deschenes Rapids. At least ten birds were with the gull flock at the Nepean Dump on Jan. 12, 2005, some still present Jan. 24, 2005. On Mar. 19, 2005 there was one there. On Mar. 20, 2005 at the Deschenes Rapids there were 4 Glaucous Gulls of various ages. Mar. 27, 2005 - several (various ages) present at Remic Rapids.Link to Where and When to See Guide's Glaucous Gull entry.      Return to Main Menu

Eastern Screech-Owl          On Feb. 11, 2005 there was one Eastern Screech-Owl found on Petrie Islands, near Orleans, ON. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Eastern Screech-Owl entry.      Return to Main Menu

Snowy Owl          Locally, one was seen perched on a distant floating platform across from Aylmer, QC early in the season. The best views were from the breakwater of Dick Bell Park. One to two birds have been seen along Earl Armstrong Road, south of the airport, near Bowesville Road, from Dec. 5 to at least Dec. 28, 2004. One was seen along Wall Road, between Frank Kenny and Trim Roads on Dec. 15, 2004. Another or the same bird was at nearby Frank Kenny and French Hill Roads on Dec. 27. One to five Snowy Owls have been found in the area north of Richmond (Shea & Akins Roads, Rushmore Road, and Eagleson / Fallowfield Roads area) from Jan. 2, 2005 to at least Mar. 19, 2005. A Snowy Owl has been regularly hunting the fields on the northeast corner of the Woodroffe Avenue / Fallowfield Road intersection for a week leading up to Mar. 2, 2005. On Apr. 4, 2005 one was seen along Rues des Ormes in Hull, QC. Just outside the Ottawa checklist circle, on Dec. 9, 2004, 2 dark birds were seen east of Casselman. Both owls were observed on top of telephone poles on Concession Road 20 near its intersection with Ste-Rose Road. Five were seen there on Dec. 25. Some still present Mar. 26. One was also seen at the Kingston Field-Naturalists property on Amherst Island on Nov. 13, 2004; two bird continue on the island to at least Feb. 26, 2005. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Snowy Owl entry.      Return to Main Menu

Northern Hawk-Owl          One has been seen from Nov. 30, 2004 to at least Mar. 20, 2005, along trail 5 and trail 29, accessed from the new Gatineau Park entrance/parking area off Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes, a kilometre or so northwest of Boulevard du Mont-Bleu. Take the bike path west of the parking area to trail 5 (about a 10 to 12 minute walk), then north on trail 5, three minutes to trail 29. Another was discovered in the Mer Bleue area on Dec. 19, 2004. No details. Another was seen briefly on Feb. 12, 2005 at 9:00 AM along 6th Line Road near Riverfront Park. It flew east and was not relocated. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Northern Hawk-Owl entry.      Return to Main Menu

Great Gray Owl          A MAJOR INVASION YEAR!! Over 110 birds found in the area! Bruce Di Labio found an incredible 46 in one day (Jan. 9, 2005) in a portion of the southwestern sector of the Ottawa Checklist Circle. One to three Great Gray Owls have been seen from Nov. 20 to at least Mar. 20, 2005 at Hull, QC. The sightings have been along trail 29 near the junction with trail 5, accessed from the new Gatineau Park entrance/parking area off Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes, a kilometre or so northwest of Boulevard du Mont-Bleu. Take the bike path west of the parking area to trail 5 (about a 10 to 12 minute walk), then north on trail 5, three minutes to trail 29. Beginning with the sighting of two birds in the area of March Valley Road (Fourth Line) and Riddell Road on Dec. 18, 2004, there have been regular reports, especially from March Valley (Fourth Line) of up to 13 birds. Best times to check are near dawn and dusk, but even in midday (especially cloudy ones) there is often one or more birds visible. Thirteen present Jan. 23, 2005. At least eight still present Mar. 28, 2005. One still present Mar. 31, 2005. The sightings in the Kinburn, ON area began with a single bird on Dec. 12, 2004 at John Shaw Road about half way between Kinburn Side Road and Galetta Side Road. This was followed by two owls on Dec. 24, 2004, near Torbolton Ridge and Kilmaurs Roads. By Dec. 25, 2004, the two owls in this area had grown to seven along Torbolton Ridge Road. Since then, many sightings have taken place along the sideroads in this general area. Best times are at dusk and dawn and on cloudy days. On Jan. 8, 2005 a total of 14 owls were seen in the area around the intersection of Dunrobin and Kilmaurs Side Roads. At least seven still present Mar. 23, 2005. Two still present on Apr. 8, 2005. This general location can reached by exiting Highway 417 onto Kinburn Side Road and going east. The areas north of both Gatineau and Aylmer in Quebec each have several birds, as do the marshlands along the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, east of Gatineau. Check for details and other sightings on the Birding Ottawa  2004 RBA and 2005 RBA. The first "nearby" reports came in from Algonquin Provincial Park, where several were seen moving through in November. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Great Gray Owl entry.      Return to Main Menu

Long-eared Owl          Ten Long-eareds were seen in the "Owl Woods" on Amherst Island on Dec. 4, 2004. In the winter of 2003-04: A Long-eared Owl was in the Mer Bleue area on Dec. 14, 2003 and one was found in Clyde Woods on Dec. 21, 2003. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Long-eared Owl entry.      Return to Main Menu

Short-eared Owl          Again in the 2004-05 winter period these birds are being seen along Earl Armstrong Road, near the bend. At least two birds seen from Nov. 21, 2004 to at least Dec. 19, 2004. Best spot is near the sharp bend, best time is dusk. A single bird was seen Dec. 12, 2004 on Brophy / Bankfield Road, between Twin Elm and 3rd Line Roads. On Jan. 7, 2005 two were seen flying at dusk in fields west of the town of Greely, ON. For information on the Wintering Short-eared Owl Survey in Ontario, see the note on our Eco-News Page. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Short-eared Owl entry.      Return to Main Menu

Boreal Owl          One was found on Nov. 22, 2004 in the Owl Woods on Amherst Island. It was found in the clump of white cedars on the north side of the path, east of the bird feeders. One also seen there Dec. 20, 2004 in a small white spruce on the east end of the Jack Pine Plantation. And again on Dec. 26 and 27, 2004, just off to the east of the main path through the Cedar Woods, beyond the bird feeders and just before you get to the large clumps of white cedars on the left. Two Boreal Owls were seen on Jan. 1, 2005. One or two, sometimes three, birds were being seen regularly to at least Apr. 5, 2005. Locally, one was seen at the extreme south of Lac des Fées, Hull, QC on Dec. 5, 2004; and one was seen at Contance Bay, ON on Dec. 12, 2004. It was found being mobbed by Blue Jays at 146 Monty Drive. Drive 1.3 km from the Dunriobin Road on Constance Bay Road to Monty Drive (on the right or southeast, 0.2 km short of Allbirch Road. Another was found Dec. 26, 2004 at 4383 Ivy Acres Road, north of Pakenham, but has not been reported since. Another spent the day at 40 Sioux Crescent, Nepean on Jan. 15, 2005. One was seen on Mar. 13, 2005 along the Jinkinson Road Trailway (abandoned rail line) that runs between Dwyer Hill Road and Stittsville, ON. The owl was c. 1 km west along the trail from Jinkinson Road, on the north side sitting in a tree, quite visible from the trail. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Boreal Owl entry.      Return to Main Menu

Northern Saw-whet Owl          Seen with some regularity in the "Owl Woods" on Amherst Island. In the winter of 2003-04: A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found in the Clyde Avenue Woods on Dec. 14, 2003 and again on Dec. 21, 2003. Careful observation and patient searching through the cedars are sometimes rewarded. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Northern Saw-whet Owl entry.      Return to Main Menu

Red-headed Woodpecker          Usually migrants, two adult Red-headed Woodpeckers spent the winter hanging around their breeding site in Constance Bay. They can sometimes be seen at the suet feeder at 114 Goodin Street. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Red-headed Woodpecker entry.      Return to Main Menu

Red-bellied Woodpecker          A female Red-bellied Woodpecker has been coming to a feeder at 6158 Rideau Valley Drive, south of Manotick, ON from c. Dec. 1, 2004 to at least Mar. 13, 2005. The feeder is in the front of the farm house but it is not easily viewable from the road. The bird has usually been seen at the feeder between 1:00 and 2:30 PM but also spends a lot of time in the trees at the side of the house. Please request permission from the residents to enter the laneway to view the feeder. A pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers has been coming to a feeder on Boulevard Wilfred Lavigne, Aylmer, QC from Nov. 10, 2004 to at least Jan. 3, 2005. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Red-bellied Woodpecker entry.      Return to Main Menu

Three-toed Woodpecker         A female Three-toed Woodpecker were seen on the trail opposite 881 Kerwin (River) Road on Nov. 12, 2004. In the winter of 2003-04: A male was seen on Dec. 7 and 8, 2003 on the trail off Kerwin (River) Road. More specifically, on the fallen tree past the leftward bend in the public trail off Kerwin Road. The trail entrance is immediately opposite 881 Kerwin. Also seen was a female of the same species on Dec. 8, 2003, much closer to the road, perhaps 50 metres up the trail from the aforementioned entrance. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Three-toed Woodpecker entry.      Return to Main Menu

Black-backed Woodpecker          Both a male and female Black-backed Woodpecker were seen on the trail opposite 881 Kerwin (River) Road on the morning of Nov. 7, 2004. On Dec. 12, 2004, a female was seen near the 90 degree bend in the trail. On Feb. 16, 2005, there was a male along the same trail. On Dec. 27 and 29, 2004, a male of this species was found along the main road through the Larose Forest, near the snowmobile crossing and the St. Denis Army Surplus sign. On Nov. 21, 2004 a female was seen on a larch (tamarack) plantation on County Road 8 east Casselman and the Ottawa checklist circle. (Take Highway 417 exit 58 and follow County Road 8 north until you see a larch (tamarack) stand on your right. The larch plantation is a few kilometres before the turn off onto the Clarence-Cambridge Road at the long curve. You can park on a dirt road that borders the larch stand. The woodpecker was observed 25 metres up the dirt road. A male Black-backed was discovered Jan. 16, 2005 along the Eardley-Masham Road, approximately 1 km into Gatineau Park in a large stand of young pine and spruce at the crest of the hill. A female was seen here on Jan. 29, 2005. On Jan. 30, 2005, one was seen on Inlet Road, in the Lac Lablanche area north of Mayo, QC. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Black-backed Woodpecker entry.      Return to Main Menu

Gray Jay          Algonquin Provincial Park continues to be THE spot to see these birds. Try the Spruce Bog Trail and Opeongo Road. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Gray Jay entry.      Return to Main Menu

Boreal Chickadee          None report so far this winter locally. Can be found in Algonquin Provincial Park. In 2003-04: One of these birds was seen on Jan. 4, 2004 on the trail between Kerwin (River) Road and Riddell Road. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Boreal Chickadee entry.      Return to Main Menu

Tufted Titmouse          A Tufted Titmouse has been coming sporadically to the feeders at 191 and 186 Bayshore Road and in the bushes around the nearby lighthouse, Presqu'ile Provincial Park, ON, from Oct. 9, 2004 to at least Mar. 29, 2005. One also seen Apr. 11-12, 2005. One first reported on Oct. 28, 2004 at 14 Point Road, on Cartwright Point, east of Kingston, ON, was seen until Nov. 14, then seen again on Jan. 15, 2005. One has been coming to a property east of Almonte, ON from sometime in December 2004 to at least Mar. 1, 2005. No details, you must call the homeowner, Rob Goodwin at 256-0551 to arrange a visit for viewing the bird. One was reported from a private feeder in Papineauville, QC on Jan. 25, 2005. And one seen last fall in Hallville, ON is apparently still around. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Tufted Titmouse entry.      Return to Main Menu

Carolina Wren          One of these birds was seen at feeders on Summit Avenue in Alta Vista from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4, 2004. Another Carolina Wren has been coming to a feeder in Chelsea, QC at 40 Mill Road off Highway 105, from October to at least Dec. 19. The homeowner welcomes birders onto the property. One was heard singing near the corner of Rothwell and Naskapi Drives in Rothwell Heights in the east end of Ottawa, ON on Jan. 13, 2005 and has been seen repeatedly to at least Mar. 17, 2005 between 62 and 112 Rothwell. On Mar. 18, 2005 2 Carolina Wrens visited a Summit Avenue feeder in Alta Vista, Ottawa, ON. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Carolina Wren entry.      Return to Main Menu

Townsend's Solitaire          On the afternoon of Feb. 2, 2005, a Townsend's Solitaire was found in the Rothwell Heights area of Beacon Hill North, Ottawa, ON. It was still present Apr. 5, 2005. It was seen singing and feeding in a Common Buckthorn bush at 38 Rothwell Drive, between Wick Crescent and Delong Drive. Also seen on Coxford Street. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Townsend's Solitaire entry.      Return to Main Menu

Varied Thrush          The body of a Varied Thrush was found, the result of a window strike, at 25 Parker Ave, Nepean, ON on Dec. 21, 2004. An adult male Varied Thrush was seen at 22 Rue St-Malo, Champlain Park, Aylmer, QC on Apr. 2, 2005.Link to Where and When to See Guide's Varied Thrush entry.      Return to Main Menu

Northern Mockingbird          One seen on the Ottawa CBC on Dec. 18, 2004. No details. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Northern Mockingbird entry.      Return to Main Menu

Brown Thrasher          One seen on Chemin Vignault in Cantley, QC on Jan. 5, 2005. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Northern Mockingbird entry.      Return to Main Menu

Bohemian Waxwing          On Mar. 25, 2005 a flock of 150, with 50 Cedar Waxwings, was seen at Lac Beauchamp. On Mar. 20, 2005 a flock of 200 was seen at Britannia, ON. On Mar. 8, 2005 a flock of 140+ Bohemian Waxwings was at the end of Grandview Road, off Carling Avenue, just west of Moodie Drive. On Feb. 27, 2005 a flock of a dozen birds was along the banks of the Indian River at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area. Along Rifle Road there was a large flock of 450+ Bohemian Waxwing on Feb. 15, 2005, feeding on Buckthorn berries. Another flock was seen Feb. 12, 2005 along 6th Line Road near Riverfront Park. Feb. 5, 2005 - 80+ on Rifle Road, Kanata, ON and a small flock at Pinhey Point, ON. Jan. 29, 2005 - 20 along the Marathon Trail, Kanata, ON. On Jan. 28 -29, 2005, a flock of c. 40 has been seen in Carp, ON at various berry/crab apple trees in the village. Jan. 28, 2005 - 128 along trail 5 and trail 29, accessed from the new Gatineau Park entrance/parking area off Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes, a kilometre or so northwest of Boulevard du Mont-Bleu, Hull, QC. On Jan. 16, 2005, a flock was seen along Chemin Dufresne, Gatineau, QC. A fock of 50+ was seen at Plateau de la Capitale, Hull, QC on Jan. 9, 2005. A flock of 20+ Bohemian Waxwing together with 2 Cedar Waxwings was seen Jan. 5, 2005 feeding around 3827 Diamondview Road (north off Kinburn Side Road). A flock of 50 was seen Jan. 3, 2005 at Kinburn Side Road and Torbolton Side Road. A flock of 30 was seen Jan. 1, 2005 at Kinburn Side Road and Carp Road. A small flock of these birds was feeding on crab apples on Woodkilton (2nd Line) Road, about 200 meters southeast of Kinburn Road on Dec. 29, 2004. Four were seen in Gatineau Park off Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes on Dec. 1, 2004. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Bohemian Waxwing entry.      Return to Main Menu

Northern Shrike          One was seen in Gatineau Park off Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes on Dec. 2, 2004. One was at Dick Bell Park on Dec. 5, 2004. In late December, birds have been noted from several places, including the Jack Pine Trail feeder, Earl Armstrong Road and the Dunrobin area. One was at the Gatineau Airport, along Chemin Indistriel, on Jan. 3, 2005; another on Jan. 8, 2005 at Chemins Léo Leblanc and Mineault. On the newly fledged Larose Forest - Casselman Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 4, 2005 there were 6. Jan. 4, 2005 - one at Chemin Dufresne and Montée Dalton in Gatineau. Jan. 8, 2005 - 2 on Montée St. Amour in Gatineau, one each on March Valley (Fourth Line), Huntmar Road, Kinburn Side Road, and at Carling Avenue and Rifle Road. Jan. 14, 2005 - one at Museum Feeders on Pink Road, Aylmer, QC. Jan. 16, 2005 - one along Avenue Gatineau and one on Chemin St-Thomas, Gatineau, QC. Jan. 21, 2005 - one on Chemin Dalton, Gatineau, QC. Feb. 19, 2005 - 1 near Carling Avenue and Moodie Drive, 1 along March Valley Road and 1 along Woodroffe Avenue near Meadowlands Drive. Feb. 25 - 1 near the intersection of Carling Avenue and Herzberg Road. On Mar. 18 two were seen along Chemin Chégheur along the Eardley Escarpment, QC. Mar. 26, 2005 - one on Rue Baillie, near Highway 148. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Northern Shrike entry.       Return to Main Menu

Eastern Towhee          Rare in winter, a female of this species has been coming to a feeder in Carleton Place from around Dec. 12 to at least Dec. 17, 2004. It has usually been seen before 9:00 AM and after 4:00 PM, but was also seen on Dec. 15 around noon. It is at the home of Richard Boughner and the feeder is in the back yard, not visible from the road. Richard wants anyone who wants to see the bird to knock at the front door and he will let them get to the back yard through the garage. Directions: From Ottawa take Highway 7 west to Carleton Place, turn right at the traffic light by Canadian Tire onto McNeely Avenue and continue on McNeely until you cross the Mississippi River and reach the T-junction at County Road 29. Turn left onto County Road 29 (Town Line East) and then turn left just before the railroad track onto William Street. Turn left off William Street just before the railroad track onto Gemill which becomes Rosamond Street when it bears right. The feeder is at 169 Rosamond Street, on the right. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Eastern Towhee entry.      Return to Main Menu

Harris' Sparrow          So far this winter, no local reports. However, there is one wintering to the northeast at Pointe-du-Lac, QC at 230 Rue Dubois (Trois-Rivières); another to the southwest at Kellogg Road, 8 km northwest of Port Hope, ON; and another at 4393 Fairgrounds Road, just west of Orillia and north off of Highway 12. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Harris' Sparrow entry.      Return to Main Menu

Lapland Longspur          The first report of the 2004-05 winter period is of 2 from Smith Road near Milton Road on Oct. 28. Three Lapland Longspurs were among a flock of 160 Snow Buntings at a manure spread on Old Coach Road on Dec. 11 or 12, 2004. 6 Lapland Longspurs were seen in 3 locations in the vicinity of Concessions 20 and 21 near Ste-Rose Street, Casselman, ON on Feb. 18, 2005. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Lapland Longspur entry.      Return to Main Menu

Pine Grosbeak          Six Pine Grosbeaks were on O'Hara Crescent off Kerwin (River) Road on Mar. 12, 2005. A small flock of Pine Grosbeaks was seen along Donald B. Munro Drive in Carp on Mar. 9, 2005. A flock of 15 in the village of Carp on Feb. 20 - 21, 2005, feeding on berry trees along Robert Lee and Donald B. Munro Drives. Six near Shirleys Bay on Feb. 12, 2005. One at a feeder near Pakenham on Feb. 1, 2005. One seen at Contance Bay on Nov. 1, 2004. Two on Chemin Dufrense in Gatineau on Jan. 9, 2005. Some in the Steel Line, Lac de Loup, Lac La Peche and Eardley-Masham area of Quebec on Jan. 16, 2005. Jan. 29, 2005 - 8 were seen at the house with the large crabapple tree along the Eardley-Masham Road. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Pine Grosbeak entry.      Return to Main Menu

Red Crossbill          One seen off Whistler Road in Contance Bay on Nov. 16, 2004. A pair of this species were seen along Hydro Dam Road in the Calabogie Peaks area in Ontario on Jan. 15, 2005. In the winter of 2003-04: Red Crossbills, in flocks of 5 to 10 birds, were seen in the Larose Forest, on several occasions. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Red Crossbill entry.      Return to Main Menu

White-winged Crossbill          Ten seen at Contance Bay on Nov. 1, 2004. Some in the Steel Line, Lac de Loup, Lac La Peche and Eardley-Masham area of Quebec on Jan. 16, 2005. In the winter of 2003-04: Flocks of up to 50 were seen in the Larose Forest on Jan. 18 and 20, 2004. A dozen or more were seen at the Jack Pine Trail on Jan. 10, 2004. Jan. 30, 2005 - good numbers were seen in the Lac Lablanche area north of Mayo, QC. Link to Where and When to See Guide's White-winged Crossbill entry.      Return to Main Menu

Common Redpoll          Several reports from various areas so far this year, but numbers are lower than usual. But the newly fledged Larose Forest - Casselman Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 4, 2005 has 158. A flock of 30+ was seen at Plateau de la Capitale, Hull, QC on Jan. 9, 2005. In the winter of 2003-04: This was a good year for Redpolls. At the Hilda Road feeders at the Shirleys Bay Cottage Area on Dec. 31, 2003 there were about 22 and 30 on Jan. 17, 2004. The Dunrobin-Breckinridge CBC had over 1500 on Jan. 3, 2004. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Common Redpoll entry.      Return to Main Menu

Hoary Redpoll          On Mar. 13, 2005 one finally showed up at the Hilda Road feeders at the Shirleys Bay Cottage Area with 2 Common Redpolls. One was found on the Dunrobin-Breckenridge CBC on Dec. 19, 2004. Another seen Jan. 12 or 13, 2005 in the same general area. No further details. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Hoary Redpoll entry.      Return to Main Menu

Evening Grosbeak          Present in small numbers in the Larose Forest area. Link to Where and When to See Guide's Common Redpoll entry.      Return to Main Menu