March in Ottawa

As spring approaches the northern migrant birds are starting to move back north and the photography opportunities for birds will become scarce for a few weeks until the warblers, sparrows, water fowl and shorebirds move back into the area from their summer homes south of us. As of writing this the Northern Hawk Owl has not been seen for a couple of days so it is believed to have moved on. The Great Gray Owls are still been seen on Greenland Rd. I have not had a chance to look for the one I saw on Torwood a couple of weeks ago so its hard to say if it still still around.

A young Cooper's Hawk has been seen in the Mud Lake woods. I saw a Rough Legged Hawk flying around the Hilda road feeders today. Red Winged Black Birds have started to move into the feeder area as well as a Common Grackle. The Redpolls are still around in numbers but the Pine Siskins seemed to have moved off.

I have not heard yet of any Snow Geese coming in yet but will probably go out to Long Sault soon to check it out as this is where I saw them in great numbers last season.

Amherst Island still has a number of Small Owls in the Owl woods. A couple of Saw Whet were seen on Friday as well as a Boreal Owl. No sign of the Barred, Long Eared or Short Eared. The Red Bellied Woodpecker seems to have found a friend as two are now seen by the feeders. Snowy Owls, Red Tailed and Rough Legged Hawks are still present in numbers.