[Ontbirds]Snowy Owls - East of Ottawa

[Heather Pickard]

Tony Beck led a group of birders who braved the cold this morning around 
areas east of Ottawa.
Highlights included locating three Snowy Owls in the vicinity of St-Isidore 
and the village of St-Rose.
The first was a young bird born this year found perched in a tree north of 
Concession 19.  Traveling west on Concession 19 between St-Isidore Road and 
Desnoyer Road a second Snowy Owl was spotted also perched at the top of a 
tree. As we watched this second bird it appeared preoccupied and within a 
few minutes we could see why as we watched it take pursuit of a Gray 
Partridge that appeared injured. With wildlife drama unfolding before our 
eyes we witnessed the partridge avoid capture by burrowing into deep snow 
adjacent to a telephone pole. We left the area with the owl still nearby and 
the outcome for the partridge undetermined.  A third Snowy Owl was sighted 
as we departed the area heading for home.
Other sightings of note during the morning's travels  included a total of 
four Northern Shrike and five Rough-legged Hawks.

Directions:

>From Hwy 417 east past Casselman take exit 58. Turn left or  north on Cty Rd 
8 until you come to Concession 20.
Travel a loop searching for owls by following Concession 20 to St-Isidore 
Road (Or route 9) turn left to Concession 19.
Turn left (east) onto Concession 19 and take it as far as Desnoyer Road.

Good birding,
Heather Pickard