[Ontbirds]Ottawa: Harlequin Duck and Barrow's Goldeneye

[Bruce Di Labio]

Hi Everyone
    Spent a few hours this morning birding the open water along the Ottawa 
River at Deschenes Rapids and Remic Rapids. The female Harlequin Duck was 
still present between Bate Island and the north end of Champlain Bridge. 
There was also a male hybrid Barrow's x Common Goldeneye feeding  in the 
same area.. This individual observed Dec. 15th, is likely the same one I 
observed back on November 17th, off Remic Rapids and possibly the same male 
that has over wintered the past 3 years.
    A male Barrow's Goldeneye was observed at Remic Rapids off the Ottawa 
Rivier Parkway. There was also a small number of Bohemain Waxwings in the 
area.
                                                            good birding
                                                        Bruce

Directions: (Courtesy Paul Matthews)

Harlequin Duck: Champlain Bridge is the north "extension" of Island Park 
Drive, which can be accessed from the 417 coming from the east (downtown); 
from the west, exit at Carling, then turn north (left) on Merivale and north 
again (left) on Island Park. At the north (Quebec) end of the Champlain 
Bridge, turn right on Lucerne and park about 100 metres down (there's space 
at the side of the road to do so). Take the well-trodden (at least before 
today's snow!) path south to the edge of the river, exiting left from the 
main path (a bike path in summer) in order to take a secondary path  near a 
small  gray house-like structure.
     Directions: Barrow's Goldeneye: The Champlain Bridge parking lot can be
reached by taking Parkdale Ave. north from Hwy. 417 in Ottawa to the Ottawa 
River
Parkway. Follow parkway west passed Remic Rapids Lookout (closed during 
winter) and continue west towards Island Park Drive. Just before the lights 
at Island Park Drive there is a parking area on your right. Park and walk 
east to Remic Rapids.

Bruce Di Labio
400 Donald B. Munro Drive
P.O.Box 538
Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0
(613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell

Di Labio Birding Website
Courses and Field Trips
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/