[Ontbirds]Ottawa - Snowy Owls and other birds (slight correction)

[Ott User]

Oops.  The cooperative Snow Buntings were seen between Concession 20 and 21 
(not 19...a typo) along Ste-Rose street.  With the rain and milder weather 
this could be the last week to see the Snowy Owls east of Casselman.  As 
Jacque Bouvier's earlier email stated, the Snowy Owls are not hard to find 
as you can see a number of cars parked along the road (see Ottawa directions 
below) on most nice days during the week in the very late afternoon (4 - 5 
pm).   Since this could be the last chance to see the owls, thought I'd 
share.  Thanks.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ott User" <willott123 at sympatico.ca>
To: <ontbirds at hwcn.org>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 10:49 AM
Subject: [Ontbirds]Ottawa - Snowy Owls and other birds


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.

>From Ottawa.  Take Hwy 417 and head east past the Casselman exit (66).  Get 
off the next exit which is 58.  Turn left onto Cty Rd 8 and continue until 
Concession 20.  Two of the Snowy Owls can be found along Concession 20 all 
the way up to Ste-Rose street.  The third can be found along Concession 19 
just past the barn after you turn left from Ste-Rose road.  May heve to look 
into the field as it often perches on the ground.






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