[Ontbirds]Ottawa - Snowy Owls and other birds

[Ott User]

Hi Ontbirders:
                      It was only fitting light snow was forecast early in the morning on this last day of March. It's changing to rain later in the morning.  4 Snowy Owls are still east of Casselman as of yesterday, March 30th.  Another person told me he has seen as many as 5 to 6 Snowy Owls at this location over the winter including 2 white males.  He showed me a photo of one of the white male Snowy Owls.  Also on Sunday, a flock of 150 to 200 Snow Buntings were seen in the fields and side of road on one of the concession roads bordering Ste-Rose.  Snow Buntings are notoriously skittish but I found 2 rather accomodating Snow Buntings perched on branches along Ste-Rose between Concession 20 and Concession 19.  It surprisingly allowed for a close approach.  
                      The most unusual sighting for me this weekend was a male Northern Harrier at the Hilda Road feeders.  It flew slowly from the left and circled behind trees near the feeders before flying right over me.  At first I thought it was a hawk as Coopers and Sharp-shinned have been known to frequent the feeders.  I waited to see if it would come back but didn't see it again.  Thanks.


One of the very approachable Snow Buntings.
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/94957378/original



W. H.  
www.pbase.com/golfpic.


Directions to Snowy Owls and Snow Buntings courtesy of Jacques Bouvier:
>From Hwy 417 east of Casselman take exit 58 and proceed north on Cty Rd 8 
for about 1 km until you come to Concession 20 Rd in the middle of the long 
curve. Turn right (east) on Concession 20 Rd. You will find Concession 19 Rd 
just north of 20.