Specialty Birding Trips
Throughout the year, I offer specialty birding trips. These trips are half-day (4 ½ hours) or full day (approximately 8 to 10 hours including travel time) and focus on birding targeted areas in Eastern Ontario. Details about the specialty birding trips being offered this winter can be found below. See the "General Information" section for more information about registration, payment and what to bring.Winter & Spring 2010
NEW! PRINTABLE SCHEDULE: 2010 Winter Specialty TripsFEBRUARY
Birding East of Ottawa
The focus of this field tirp will be on over-wintering land birds: hawks, Snowy Owl and Gray Partridge. Areas to be visited will include Mer Bleue and Larose Forest.| Date | Saturday, February 20 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 7:00 a.m. |
| Meeting Point | Tim Hortons, Lancaster Road and Walkley Road |
| Return Time | ~2:00 p.m. |
| What to Bring | Lunch, snacks and drinks. Remember to dress for the weather. |
| Cost | $45 |
Birding the Gatineau Escarpment: Steele Line & Poltimore-Low Road
This trip will concentrate on winter finches, hawks and eagles.| Date | Sunday, February 21 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 7:00 a.m. |
| Meeting Point | Tim Hortons, Richmond Road just west of Woodroffe Avenue |
| Return Time | ~2:00 p.m. |
| What to Bring | Lunch, snacks and drinks. Remember to dress for the weather. |
| Cost | $45 |
MARCH
Early Spring Migrants
We will visit local birding areas looking for the first migrants of the season.| Date | Wednesday, March 10 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 7:00 a.m. |
| Meeting Point | Tim Hortons, March Road at Carling Avenue (Kanata) |
| Return Time | ~11:30 a.m. |
| What to Bring | Snacks and drinks. Remember to dress for the weather. |
| Cost | $35 |
Presqu'ile Provincial Park: Ducks & Spring Migrants
Sharpen your waterfowl birding skills. Numerous species of waterfowl should be see including Mute Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Redhead, Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup.| Date | Sunday, March 28 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 9:00 a.m. |
| Meeting Point | Presqu'ile Provincial Park Entrance |
| Return Time | ~6:00 p.m. |
| What to Bring | Snacks, lunch and drinks. Remember to dress for the weather. |
| Cost | $65 (does not include park entry fees) |
APRIL
Early Spring Migrants
We will be birding the Ottawa area in search of early migrants. If conditions are favourable, a visit to the Carlsbad Springs, Bourget, Cobb Lake Creek and Riceville areas looking for ducks and geese in the flooded fields will be considered.| Date | Monday, April 5 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 7:00 a.m. |
| Meeting Point | Tim Hortons, Lancaster Road and Walkley Road |
| Return Time | ~11:30 a.m. |
| What to Bring | Snacks and drinks. Remember to dress for the weather. |
| Cost | $35 |
Amherst and Wolfe Islands
Owls, hawls, waterfowl and spring migrants will be the focus of this trip.| Date | Wednesday, April 7 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 5:30 a.m. |
| Meeting Point | Tim Hortons, Carling Avenue & March Road (Kanata) |
| Return Time | ~6:00 p.m. |
| What to Bring | Lunch, snacks and drinks. Remember to dress for the weather. |
| Cost | $65, does not include ferry fee |
Birding Lake Deschenes & Hawks and Bluebirds at Dunrobin
Spring migrants along the Ottawa River from Shirley's Bay to Constance Bay. We will also search for hawks migrating along the Dunrobin Ridge, and Bluebirds that nest in the area.| Date | Sunday, April 11 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 7:00 a.m. |
| Meeting Point | Tim Hortons, Carling Avenue & March Road (Kanata) |
| Return Time | ~11:30 a.m.. |
| What to Bring | Snacks and drinks. Remember to dress for the weather. |
| Cost | $35 |
Chaffeys Lock and Canoe Lake Road: Early Spring Migration
On this trip we will be looking for Red-shouldered Hawk, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow and early warblers including the rare, but regular, Louisiana Waterthrush. .| Date | Wednesday, April 28 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 6:00 a.m. |
| Meeting Point | Tim Hortons, Carling Avenue & March Road (Kanata) |
| Return Time | ~2:00 p.m. |
| What to Bring | Lunch, snacks and drinks. Remember to dress for the weather. |
| Cost | $50 |
General Information
Registration:To register, please complete the registration form found here. Trips fill up quickly, so please register as soon as possible.
Payment:
Payment is due by the beginning of each trip.
Transportation:
For these speciality trips, we will be carpooling. The designated meeting time is the DEPARTURE time. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can arrange carpooling. If you are carpooling please remember to make an equitable contribution to the driver for gas and park fees (if applicable).
What to Bring:
Remember to dress for the weather, pack a lunch on full day trips, and a snack on morning outings.
Field Equipment:
If you are interested in borrowing binoculars or scopes, please let me know in advance. I have a limited number, so it’s first come first served. Keep in mind, however, you are responsible for any damage. Remember that scopes can blow over in strong winds, and food or rain drops smudge eyepieces. Please remember to use the rain guard on the binoculars.