BIRDQUEST2004

The Mountain Bluebird was re-found about 5 miles from where she was first found near the Ottawa Dump.  I wish the weather had been better, but some day’s you have to take what you get.  The Bluebird was a long way off but I did manage a few decent photos.

Ottawa Bird #252

A few days later Rick Collins and I went to the Shirley’s Bay dike in search of a reported male Canvasback and were lucky enough to find a female Long-tailed Duck.  Two birds I had never seen in Ottawa.  We had excellent scope views but getting photos was impossible.

Below are photos from my files.

Ottawa Bird #253

Female Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck

Ottawa Bird #254 – Canvasback

The birds just kept coming, just this week there was a Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose and Common Merganser in the small ponds at Andrew Haydon.

Greater White-fronted Goose

Snow Goose

Common Merganser

Best of all I am still able to Golf at the Canadian….

When I was finished my round and walking to the car a flock of Bohemian Waxwings were feeding on berries in the trees behind us.

Tonight checking the Ontbird reports I see that the Smew was relocated….away I go tomorrow, wish me luck.Ciao for now

DNA Testing proves this bird not a Bullocks Oriole

Last Sunday November 30th, I was sitting at work and the Internet was abuzz with bird reports.  A Mountain Bluebird near the Trail Road dump and a Bullocks Oriole in Pakenham.

I still had many hours to work and there was no way I could chase these birds, it would be dark by the time I finished.

Early Monday morning I went up to Pakenham, found the Oriole but spent the afternoon looking for the Mountain Bluebird, without luck.

I didn’t need photos of either of these birds….but would have loved to have them for my Ottawa list.

Ottawa Bird #251 – Bullocks Oriole

Here’s a photo of a Male Bullock’s Oriole from Texas

A few years ago I was in Bosque Del Apache, New Mexico and Mountain Bluebirds were everywhere.

Can’t wait to see what number 252 will be.

Ciao for now.