[Ontbirds]Ottawa - Lapland Longspurs, Gray Partridge

[Christina Lewis]

Hello Ontbirds people,

Today (06 April) at ~ noon, Bob Bracken, Bob Cermak, Paul Mirsky and I (along with a couple of expatriate Canadian friends visiting from Mexico) enjoyed 3 LAPLAND LONGSPURS (1st local report of the year).  Two females and one male in nearly breeding plumage were in a field with some exposed plowed soil, along Rushmore Rd. east of Eagleson Rd. among a good-sized flock of Horned Larks and Snow Buntings.  Also, along Rushmore, at Eagleson itself, a pair of very wary & flighty GRAY PARTRIDGE flew over Eagleson (a busy road) twice.  Please drive with caution.

A "flood" of other expected sping migrants (e.g. Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Killdeer, American Woodcock, American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Song Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, etc. etc. etc.)  in various areas in & around Ottawa as well, despite the lack of flooding....yet. But could happen very soon, considering the forecast for double-digit temps in the next few days! 

Welcome spring, at last!
Chris Lewis
Ottawa, ON
hagenius at primus.ca

DIRECTIONS to Eagleson/Rushmore Rds:

>From downtown Ottawa, take Hwy 417 west to the Hwy 416 exit, go south on the 416 to exit #66 (Fallowfield Rd.) Right (west ) on Fallowfield to Eagleson Rd.  Left (south) on Eagleson and look for Rushmore Rd. on your left.