on the chase (#249-250)

Seems I'm going to alternate Kauai posts with local posts. Geez, I'm getting so behind. I'm going to try and stay on top of this in the near future. But still haven't filed my taxes...

So, there have been some interesting reports in Ottawa lately, and we've decided to chase just a few of them. Of course, anytime something is reported, do you think we can find it?

The first one was a violet-green swallow at the Britannia Filtration plant (did I not just talk about not relying on range maps?). This bird was way out of range. We showed up after work and there were several other birders present. The swallows were flying pretty high up and definitely not landing or sitting still anywhere for you to get a good look. We decided to give up on that and head home. On the road out though, we noticed some people watching the dogs and geese, an area that we don't look to closely at. We noticed one goose that was remarkably different.

I had heard of this particular goose before and it is apparently a hybrid Canada/domestic goose. Notice the orange bill and orange feet. The other geese didn't seem to mind and it fit in well (unlike the black-bellied whistling duck among the mallards).

This weekend on the way back from Chelsea we decided to stop at Bates Island to see the kayakers/surfers/SUPers in the rapids.

Then I remembered the swallow colony under the bridge. We may not have spotted the violet-green, but there is still a reliable swallow in Ottawa we have left to count--the cliff swallow. They are so fast and hard to shoot but we spent a good 30-45 minutes on the bridge trying to get a shot.

Matt managed to bang a few off that at least let me positively ID them (white spot, square tail) even though it's established that it's a cliff swallow colony. The white spots on their foreheads were easy to see when you watched them.

#249: Cliff swallow; Island Park Bridge, Ottawa, May 5, 2013

On the way home we decided we'd stop and check a few other things out. 

Matt pulled off this amazing shot!

We stopped to see the owls which have had owlets since the last time we saw them, and they are getting pretty big. They are unbelievable cute! The nest is right in the sun and it was incredibly hot. Mom was panting the whole time.

little one getting courageous, hanging its head out the side!

Nearby we heard a loud squawking and Matt and I looked at each other in question. It was a Cooper's hawk! So many great birds in one spot! Turns out I never counted a cooper's...I think I've seen them but I really have a hard time differentiating them from sharp-shinned. This one I am confident about.

#250: Cooper's Hawk, Ottawa, Ontario, May 5, 2013

The frogs in mid-afternoon sounded like they were screaming! We found this one nice and close and he kindly posed!

Today we went after a blue-winged warbler...no luck. That's ok, lots of birds are on the way!

Stay tuned for Kauai Part 3!

take 'em when you can get 'em

TGITD (Thank goodness it's teleworking day). I'm sitting in my living room and this little finch flies right up the window in front of me and perches there. Guess he just wanted to say hello? I don't even have the feeder out there..I've been so bad about filling it (ran out of seed)...

what are you doing there?

Unfortunately this post is going to be consistent with my last few posts in making excuses for not birding. Basically I'm a huge keener and get involved in a ton of stuff. I have been insanely busy...so I pretty much have to catch the birds whenever I can. Luckily my schedule is going to open up and I'm going to have lots of spare time as of tomorrow. 

This girl was enjoying the weather and hanging out with the geese on the river. The goslings are now at the terribly cute teenager stage, taking on the shape of adult geese, but still fluffy like babies :)

This is what was keeping me busy this weekend: Ottawa Dragonboat Festival. Here I am racing with the women's team "Something's on Fire." I'm first paddler on the right!

I will leave this on a positive note...I should have some time to get back in the saddle soon! (and finally fill my feeders!)

IDs 14-19

This weekend I tried out a new place to go birdwatching: Mud Lake in Ottawa. I have no idea how I have lived in Ottawa for 6 years and not known about this place. It is a small conservation area right in the city.


I was lucky enough to spot a hawk of some kind, but I wasn't able to figure out what it was. I am guessing either a Cooper's Hawk or a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. If anyone reading this knows hawks, have a look here and let me know if you can help me out.


Sometimes it's really hard to identify a bird, even when you have a decently clear picture and the bird doesn't fly off so you can have a good luck at it. I had to call my dad to confirm this one, even though I was almost certain what it was (hey...gotta be sure, right?) However, it is a little frustrating when a bird is totally new to you, and you think you have found some rarity, and the OFNC website tells you that it's "Common to Abundant."
ID#14: American Black Duck (male:right, female:left); March 19, 2010; Mud Lake, Ottawa

If you are new to birding like me, you would probably also be surprised to realize that there are actually many different kinds of seagulls. This one is pretty much the most common here, and the only one I've spotted so far.
ID#15: Ring-billed Gulls; March 20, 2010; Andrew Hayden Park, Ottawa

While walking around Mud Lake, we spotted a Red-winged blackbird and frantically started taking pictures (they just showed up this week). He finally flew off, but then we realized we were completely surrounded by them!
ID#16: Red-Winged blackbird; March 19, 2010; Mud Lake, Ottawa

It wasn't too hard to get a shot of one these....
ID#17: Rock Pigeon; March 20, 2010; Ottawa River Parkway

How can I not include my unofficial national bird? The Canada Goose is making its way back home, ready to spread its little treats all over our lawns.

ID#18: Canada Goose; March 20, 2010; Mud Lake, Ottawa

You know it's spring for sure when the robins show up. I've been seeing them around for a few days now, but finally got close enough for a decent picture today (actually Matt took this one!). Next time I'll try to get a shot of him with a nice juicy worm!

ID#19: American Robin; March 20, 2010; Kanata

That's it for now. Let's hope for another productive week of birding!