[Ontbirds]Hermit Thrush - Ottawa

[gillian_m at sympatico.ca]

Hello fellow Ontbirders,

After a morning of birding along the Ottawa River today I decided to stop by 
the Mud Lake/Britannia Conservation Area on my way home around 11:30. I was 
glad I did, for I found a hermit thrush with a flock of about 12-15 robins 
hanging out near the six spruce trees at the east end of the ridge. The 
robins and the hermit thrush were gleaning food from the bark at the base of 
the spruce trees, although the hermit thrush flew to the top of the fence 
when I approached. It was a little skittish, but after waiting patiently for 
a few minutes it flew back down into the snow and started walking around the 
base of one of the spruce trees again.

Here are two photos:

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=116850&d=1197224862

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=116851&d=1197224869

Directions, courtesy Neilyworld:

>From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 129 (Greenbank & Pinecrest 
Roads). If travelling west, the 0.3 km offramp dumps you right or north onto 
Pinecrest Road. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings you to 
Pinecrest/Greenbank Road, where you will turn left or north onto Pinecrest
Road and in 0.4 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now 
follow Pinecrest Road north 0.8 km from here to Richmond Road. Turn right or 
northeast onto Richmond and go 0.5 km, crossing Carling Avenue, to Poulin 
Avenue. Turn left or north onto Poulin and go 0.6 km to where a right only 
turn puts you on Howe Street. Follow Howe west 0.2 km to Britannia Road. 
Turn right or north onto Britannia Road and proceed 0.8 km to Cassels 
Street. Turn right or east onto Cassels and go 0.4 km to a small parking 
area on the left at the Britannia Conservation Area.

Note: Britannia Road was closed today due to the construction, so follow the 
detour signs and take Bradford up to Cassels Street instead (Bradford is 
parallel to Britannia).

Regards,

Gillian Mastromatteo
Ottawa, ON
http://gillianm.livejournal.com/