[Ontbirds]Ottawa - dark morph Gyrfalcon

[Christina Lewis]

Hello Ontbirds people,

A dark morph Gyrfalcon was reported today (March 1st) at 3:00 pm along the Rideau canal at Queen Elizabeth Driveway and 1st Avenue.  It was seen perched in a tree opposite #300 The Driveway and then flew east. This is very likely the same bird that was 1st discovered last Monday (Feb. 25th) on the Ottawa River. It might have been heading for a duck dinner on the Rideau River due east of the canal, where several Am. Black Ducks and Mallards are commonly fed in winter.

Thanks to Nicole Rainer for calling the OFNC Bird Status Line with this sighting!

DIRECTIONS:

>From downtown Ottawa (actually, this report was IN downtown Ottawa), take exit #119B and go south on O'Connor St. to 1st Avenue, then left onto 1st Ave. to where it ends at the canal.  However, your best bets might be to try the Rideau River around the Rideau Tennis Club or Strathcona Park (the duck feeding spots)....or... the R.H. Coats building at Tunney's Pasture at Holland Ave. and Scott St. (where both Peregrine Falcons and Gyrfalcons have tended to roost when they're in Ottawa) - this building is nearly mid-way between the Ottawa & Rideau Rivers and would provide a great vantage point for a Gyr to view its next potential meal.

Good Birding,
Chris Lewis
Ottawa, ON
hagenius at primus.ca