[Ontbirds] Bohemian Waxwings, Snowy and Short-eared Owls - Wolfe Island to Merrickville

[Jeff Skevington]

Hello Ontbirders,

My Dad and I went to Wolfe Island yesterday to see the
raptors there. En route we saw a flock of over 1300
Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Cedar Waxwing, 67 American Robins
and 5 Brown-headed Cowbirds near Merrickville. On
Wolfe Island we saw 4 Snowy Owls, 3 Short-eared Owls,
5 Bald Eagles, 7 Northern Harriers and 41 Rough-legged
Hawks amongst others.

Most of the Wolfe Island birds were between 4th Line
and Hwy 95. The Short-eared Owl field is near the
corner of 95 and Reed's Bay Road. The Short-eared Owls
started to appear at about 5 pm (Snowy activity picked
up after 4 pm). If you want to catch the 5:30 ferry
that doesn't leave long to enjoy them. There are
likely more than we saw since we left to catch the
ferry. It would have been worth waiting until the 6:30
ferry if we didn't have so far to drive.

The Merrickville location deserves some more
attention. With that many berries around there could
be some great birds there. Merrickville is just west
of Smith's Falls. From Merrickville, head north on Co.
Rd. 2 about 2 km. The waxwings, etc. were feeding on
the west side of the road. The area is posted no
trespassing so unless you can get permission you will
have to bird from the road.

Jeff


Jeff Skevington, Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
K.W. Neatby Building, C.E.F., 960 Carling Ave.
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6, Canada
Work Phone: 613-759-1647, FAX: 613-759-1927
Home Phone: 613-832-1970
e-mail: skevingtonj at agr.gc.ca
alternate e-mail: jeff_skevington at yahoo.ca


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