Sunday Sep 30: Shorebirds & Wetlands – Ottawa West
Time: 7:30am – Meet at: Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.
Although migrating shorebirds have been scarce this season, there are some consistent shorebird spots outside the city. Carp, Richmond, or Almonte have had their fair share of rare birds over the years. We’ll visit some of these, based on which ones are accessible, and which ones have good bird activity. We’ll also check parts of the Ottawa River if good birds are being reported from there. No doubt, we’ll find lots of great birds like herons, egrets, bitterns, rails, waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. The beginning of October is fairly consistent for migration, and it’s an exciting time to be searching for birds in Ottawa’s West end.
Thursday Oct 11: Wetlands & Open Country – Ottawa East
Time: 7:30am – Meet at: Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection at Highway 17 and Trim Road (Orleans) – $40.00 per pers.
As fall progresses, so does the parade of migratory birds. In early October, many geese, ducks, raptors and songbirds arrive in Eastern Ontario’s open fields. The local wetlands also provide suitable habitat for a variety of waterbirds. There’s always a chance for good shorebirds, grebes, gulls and various waterfowl. Since this is a dynamic time, bird numbers can easily change overnight. Some migrants may have left while others arrive. Unusual birds that might be in our area during this time include Ross’s Goose, Lapland Longspur or Long-billed Dowitcher. Absolutely anything is possible in October.
Tuesday Oct 16: Migration Along The Ottawa River – Ottawa West
Time: 7:30am – Meet at: Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.
The Ottawa River continues with a flurry of bird activity. Bird numbers typically fluctuate as the day progresses. Like bobbing corks, small rafts of scaup, scoter and goldeneye rest on the river. In the vegetation lining the shores, migratory songbirds tease us with their skulking behaviour. Along sandy beaches and rocky shorelines, unusual shorebirds like Red Phalarope blend into the background with their cryptic plumage. Many high arctic birds, including uncommon species like Red-throated Loon and Brant, begin to arrive from the breeding grounds up in the high Arctic. Overhead, on the water, or resting on shore, evidence of migration will surround us. Our strategy is to position ourselves at key locations to maximize our ability to thoroughly observe the river.
Tuesday Oct 23: Shorebirds & Waterfowl – The Eastern Wetlands
Time: 7:30am – Meet at: Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection at Highway 17 and Trim Road (Orleans) – $40.00 per pers.
Anticipating rare shorebirds wandering from afar, we visit various wetlands and mudflats east of Ottawa. If conditions are good, hundreds of migrating shorebirds will land here to feed as they continue their journey toward habitats south of the equator. Joined with them on these food-rich waters are a good numbers of ducks, including many drakes in their fresh breeding colours. Also present are migrant songbirds, and maybe even a rare gull or grebe. At this time of year, anything is possible in the wetlands of Eastern Ontario.
Saturday Oct 27: Woodland Trails & Open Fields – Ottawa West
Time: 7:30am – Meet at: Jack Pine Trail Parking Lot off Moodie Drive, south of Hunt Club Road – Parking Lot P9 – $40.00 per pers.
We’ll start the morning by exploring one of the local trails along Moodie Drive. Although we meet at Jack Pine Trail, if we hear of good birds elsewhere in Ottawa’s Greenbelt, we may venture there. If time permits, we’ll visit the Beaver Trail or Lime Kiln Trail, all near our meeting spot, and part of the Stony Swamp Trail Network. Many woodland birds should be active, like woodpeckers, migrating sparrows and possibly one or two lingering warblers. After our hikes, we’ll check local farm fields for migrating waterfowl and raptors. There could be Lapland Longspurs and American Pipits feeding in the grains and corn stubble. We’ll search through the abundant Canada Geese for rare waterfowl like Greater White-fronted Goose. This is an excellent time to view a good variety of wildlife.
Tuesday Oct 30: Grandview Trails, Shirley’s Bay & the Ottawa River – Ottawa West
Time: 7:30am – Meet at: Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.
The Ottawa River shoreline connected to Ottawa’s Greenbelt can be very productive, especially during end October. We’ll start at Andrew Haydon Park checking the river as well as its riparian vegetation. On the water, we hope to see numbers of grebes, scoters, loons and other water birds. We’ll continue toward Shirley’s Bay making several short hikes along the way, including the excellent Grandview Drive trail network. This scrubby area can hide secretive migratory songbirds as well as the first of the over-wintering finches. There should also be a variety of sparrows passing through like Fox or White-crowned. We might see raptors migrating overhead, like Sharp-shinned or Red-shouldered Hawk. If we’re really lucky, we might find a number of angry chickadees and kinglets mobbing a roosting Saw-whet Owl.
Tuesday Nov 6: Eagles & Finches – Gatineau/Eardley Escarpment (NOTE: start at 8am!)
Time: 8:00am – Meet at: NCC Parking Gatineau Park P3, The Information Kiosk, corner of Rue Gamelin and Promenade de la Gatineau – $40.00 per pers.
The rugged beauty of the Gatineau Escarpment provides us with opportunity to see many interesting birds. At the edge of the Canadian Shield, northern finches, woodpeckers and raptors recognize habitats similar to their northern breeding grounds. Typically, they’re found here more easily than in Ottawa’s lowlands. We’ll look for raptors using the updrafts created by the escarpment. Throughout fall and winter Bald Eagles are found regularly, while Golden Eagles require a bit of persistence. To maximize our chances of finding our target species, we’ll spend the morning exploring the many backroads networked through the hills and lowlands.
Saturday Nov 10: Late Fall Migration – Ottawa East
Time: 8:00am – Meet at: Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection at Highway 17 and Trim Road (Orleans) – $40.00 per pers.
With winter just around the corner, this could be one of our last opportunities to view migrants passing through areas east of Ottawa. A few birds might linger around Petrie Island. Sometimes early Snow Buntings, northern gulls or hardy waterfowl might feed on the sandy shoreline and open wetlands. There will be thousands of ducks and geese feeding in the flat, open farm fields. Rough-legged Hawks and other raptors will be hunting over these same areas. Sandhill Cranes might still be lingering in the fields around Navan. If conditions are good, we might encounter Ross’s Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Golden Eagle, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Northern Shrike or Lapland Longspur.
Field Trip Guidelines & Useful Info:
- Poor weather conditions often produce the most interesting birds & wildlife. Therefore, trips will proceed rain or shine. Listen to weather forecasts and dress accordingly. Only the most severe weather conditions will postpone trips.
- Note that customers of Always an Adventure Inc. are responsible for making their own arrangements for accommodation, transportation and payments for such arrangements is at their own expense.
- Transportation will be by personal vehicle and car pool. Passengers are encouraged to contribute to fuel costs. Please let us know if you need transportation.
- Some hiking should be expected in areas with active trail networks. Comfortable footwear is recommended.
- Participants should bring their own binoculars and refreshments. Please let us know if you need binoculars. High-quality NIKON optics can be loaned.
- All transportation cost, ferry cost, park fees, food, accommodation and refreshments are not included in the price.
- During times of hot weather, insect repellent comes in handy.
- The trip itinerary is subject to change depending on weather patterns, current local bird activity, scouting results or any unforeseen factors.
- Please register by email (go to “About us” and then “Contact us”), or through our Facebook Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/AAAIncClub/)
- Payment is by cheque, PayPal or e-Transfer. Make cheque payable to “Always An Adventure Inc” and contact us for payment by PayPal and e-Transfer.
- Morning birding excursions normally last for 5.5-6+ hours. Full day birding excursions normally last for 12 hours.
- Always An Adventure Inc. is not to be held liable for any unforeseen circumstances that might arise during outings.
- Always An Adventure Inc. might ask participants to sign a waiver depending on the day’s activities and sightings
- Always An Adventure Inc. is using eBird and participants will receive the day-list per e:mail at the end of the excursion.
