Desperately seeking crossbills!
Sunday 25th February 2006
With the February options running out we plumped for a trip to Parc Gatineau north of the Nation’s capital and the chance (yet again) of Red Crossbill. The birds had been reported from the Eardley-Masham section of the parc, an area we had never been to, set at the western end of the parc and essentially a lengthy gravel access road between two villages.
On arrival, the habitat looked very promising with tall pines, rolling hills and a few craggy bits. The road was relatively quiet (for Quebec) and so parking and birding presented no problems. After a couple of stops I picked up a cruising Golden Eagle, probably a 2cy bird based on the reduced white in the wings and tail. Shortly after the first of two adult Bald Eagles passed by, always impressive. I apologise in advance for the record dots below but I do like to provide proof positive if at all possible.
While there were plenty of White-winged Crossbills around, the Reds eluded us, although I did hear what may have been them overhead, but couldn’t locate them. I also heard a few Ruffed Grouse drumming in the wood but none ventured forth.
After a few hours searching we decided to take advantage of the perfect light and conditions and go the 35km or so north to Brennan’s Hill. We had visited this site and seen the winter resident Northern Hawk Owl back in January but it was raining buckets at the time and the photos were just record shots, this time we were luckier with the weather and, although the bird sat high in a pine, I managed a few better images.
For those in the Montreal region reading this, Brennan’s Hill is about two hours, an easy drive and the owl had a few regular perches. If its in the trees by the yellow house, the home owner has no objections to birders walking the drive but don’t go through the gate. I was told that the owl is very approachable and often sits on lower trees by the road. Also, it’s a Hawk Owl for goodness sake, how much incentive do you need to see one of the World’s top owls!!
On the way over to Brennan’s Hill a brown lump in a roadside bush turned out to be a Ruffed Grouse which, with characteristic uncertainty, slowly dropped off the perch and moved away at a brisk amble, hiding under a hedge in the clean white snow.
Below a few shots. I won’t caption them but they are… Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Hawk Owl and Ruffed Grouse, enjoy.
Sunday 25th February 2006
With the February options running out we plumped for a trip to Parc Gatineau north of the Nation’s capital and the chance (yet again) of Red Crossbill. The birds had been reported from the Eardley-Masham section of the parc, an area we had never been to, set at the western end of the parc and essentially a lengthy gravel access road between two villages.
On arrival, the habitat looked very promising with tall pines, rolling hills and a few craggy bits. The road was relatively quiet (for Quebec) and so parking and birding presented no problems. After a couple of stops I picked up a cruising Golden Eagle, probably a 2cy bird based on the reduced white in the wings and tail. Shortly after the first of two adult Bald Eagles passed by, always impressive. I apologise in advance for the record dots below but I do like to provide proof positive if at all possible.
While there were plenty of White-winged Crossbills around, the Reds eluded us, although I did hear what may have been them overhead, but couldn’t locate them. I also heard a few Ruffed Grouse drumming in the wood but none ventured forth.
After a few hours searching we decided to take advantage of the perfect light and conditions and go the 35km or so north to Brennan’s Hill. We had visited this site and seen the winter resident Northern Hawk Owl back in January but it was raining buckets at the time and the photos were just record shots, this time we were luckier with the weather and, although the bird sat high in a pine, I managed a few better images.
For those in the Montreal region reading this, Brennan’s Hill is about two hours, an easy drive and the owl had a few regular perches. If its in the trees by the yellow house, the home owner has no objections to birders walking the drive but don’t go through the gate. I was told that the owl is very approachable and often sits on lower trees by the road. Also, it’s a Hawk Owl for goodness sake, how much incentive do you need to see one of the World’s top owls!!
On the way over to Brennan’s Hill a brown lump in a roadside bush turned out to be a Ruffed Grouse which, with characteristic uncertainty, slowly dropped off the perch and moved away at a brisk amble, hiding under a hedge in the clean white snow.
Below a few shots. I won’t caption them but they are… Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Hawk Owl and Ruffed Grouse, enjoy.
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