Immense numbers of Greater Snow Geese moved into the Bourget area east of Ottawa today. At noon, skien after skien came in, the several observers present lost track after hitting a staggering estimate of 100,000. While the vast majority were white phase there were multiple solid flocks of blue phase, suggesting that there was a mixture of Greater and Lessers involved. We were able to see two Ross, but more were probably present. Multiple thousands of Canadas were present (1 Cackling identified), and there were hundreds of Northern Pintail. There was also a minor hawk movement which included a dozen or so Turkey Vultures migrating north, along with one each Merlin, Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagle (immature). 3 dark phase Rough-legged Hawks were perched at various points around the flood lands, and there were several Harrier present. 3 Ruddy Duck (2 female, 1 male) present yesterday were still there today but the American Coot seen yesterday could not be relocated. American Kestrel seem to have moved in, with a half dozen seen between Carlsbad Springs and Bourget. The main area to check is the flood plain of Cobb's Creek, located on both sides of Russell Road about 1km east of Bourget.
Mark GawnOttawa
Immense numbers of Greater Snow Geese moved into the Bourget area east of Ottawa today. At noon, skien after skien came in, the several observers present lost track after hitting a staggering estimate of 100,000. While the vast majority were white phase there were multiple solid flocks of blue phase, suggesting that there was a mixture of Greater and Lessers involved. We were able to see two Ross, but more were probably present. Multiple thousands of Canadas were present (1 Cackling identified), and there were hundreds of Northern Pintail. There was also a minor hawk movement which included a dozen or so Turkey Vultures migrating north, along with one each Merlin, Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagle (immature). 3 dark phase Rough-legged Hawks were perched at various points around the flood lands, and there were several Harrier present. 3 Ruddy Duck (2 female, 1 male) present yesterday were still there today but the American Coot seen yesterday could not be relocated. American Kestrel seem to have moved in, with a half dozen seen between Carlsbad Springs and Bourget. The main area to check is the flood plain of Cobb's Creek, located on both sides of Russell Road about 1km east of Bourget.
Mark GawnOttawa
