The map represents our
50 km. radius birding area. Situated in the upper Ottawa valley in
eastern Ontario, Canada, 292 species of birds have been recorded.
The Ottawa River ( the only river on the map) is used as a flyway by
many waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls and terns in spring and fall
migration. Specific dates can be viewed by taking a look at our bird dates (103Kb pdf) charts.
Our birding area is about 1/3 farmland and 2/3 forest. Birding can
be good in the many nooks and crannies, but some areas have been
exceptional.
Lake Dore is the largest lake in North America with no
islands, and is about 8 km. in length and 5 km. in width. The lake
is located about 8 km. north of Eganville on Hwy. 41.
You will find a cottage road, Church Point Rd., that runs along
the southeast corner of Lake Dore. Church Point Rd. starts from Hwy
41 and curves back to Hwy. 41 and should be no trouble to locate.
Most of the road is elevated and provides good views of the lake
Spots 1-4. Hwy. 41 hugs the east side of the lake, Spot
5, north of Church Point Rd., so that all of the east side of
the lake can be birded.
Three public boat launches exist: 10 - at the south end at
Warren's Bay, on the side road running along the south end of the
lake; 6- at the northeast corner of the lake, 100 meters
south of the Wilberforce Township Park, which can be found on a
short loop road off Hwy 41. The park, by the way, is a picnic park
with a shallow, sandy swimming area, ideal for young children;
7.-.see Biederman Park below.
The north and west sides of the lake are more difficult to access
because much of the shoreline consists of private cottages, so that
permission must be sought for access to the lake. The Lake Dore Road
(County Road 30) is the road that runs along the north and west
side, running between Hwy 41 at the north end of Lake Dore and the
town of Golden Lake to the southwest. There are a few rustic cabins
on the northwest corner of the lake, rented by the Brose family (613
625-2113). Further southwest along Lake Dore Road is a new
subdivision called Dore View Estates. A left turn into the
subdivision will lead you to 7-Biederman Park. Here
there is a rough boat launch and picnic area. It is a good scoping
location. Watch for Spotted Sandpipers in Summer. Also, a large
significant wetland will be visible in the southwest corner of the
lake. A canoe is needed for the marsh. This area of the lake is
weedy, so motors will tend to get fowled up. Common Loon, Mallard,
Common Merganser, Common Tern, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat and
Swamp Sparrow nest here. Watch for Eastern Meadowlarks in the
surrounding fields. 8 Lime Kiln Rd is a short rough road
where you can find a wetland and nesting habitat for Olive-sided
Flycatcher. The flycatcher is at the far bridge (600m.) in most
years. Listen for its 'quick three beers' song or its 'pip-pip-pip'
call. Look for warblers in migration.
Between mid May and early November, Common Loon is always
visible, reaching high numbers in mid July (as many as 52 have been
counted). Only 1 or 2 pairs nest on the lake, though, while the
other loons find the food search exceptional. In fact, gulls,
grebes, ducks and cormorants occur in large numbers on Lake Dore for
this reason. Red-throated Loon is rare in May and October/November
but possible. Horned Grebe and Red-necked Grebe are uncommon in
Spring and very common in Fall. Tundra Swan occurs in November
sometimes. Snow Geese are rare but flocks of Brant are possible near
mid-May and occasionally in October. Flocks of Canada Goose are
common in the Spring and Fall. Diving ducks can be seen from ice
break-up in late April to late May and again in October till
freeze-up in late November. Many unusual species for the area have
been seen on Lake Dore. Expect the unexpected!
Three tent and trailer parks are situated at the south end of the
lake. From Church Point Rd., go west on the road that runs around
the south end of the lake. Cedar Grove Park (613-628-5265), Smith's
Bay Campsite (613-628-5264), Lake Dore Tent & Trailer Park,
which has camping (613-628-2615).
9. An interesting side trip is to the 92 acre, original
mixed forest, found by turning right (east) on County Road 9 from
Hwy 41 at the north end of Lake Dore, just south of the Snake River
bridge. Little of the original forest is left in Renfrew County,
most of it being in remote areas. Travel a couple of kilometers to
two large wooden signs on the right. This forest has been preserved
by the Shaw family and the Nature Conservancy for scientific study.
It is open to the public and free access is gained by entering the
path at the signs. Species such as Hairy, Downy and Pileated
Woodpeckers, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great-crested Flycatcher, Least
Flycatcher, White and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper,
thrushes, vireos, warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager
and White-throated Sparrow, can be found from May through
August.
The Ottawa River
The Ottawa River - From Lake Timiskaming to the St.
Lawrence River, there are a number of hydro-electric dams on the
Ottawa River. The river water levels can vary, being usually lower
in August, just in time for the southward passage of shorebirds and
higher in the Spring and Fall, good for finding grebes, cormorants,
ducks, gulls and terns.
Bald Eagles are found every winter at Rapides-des-Joachims, about
12 km. west of Deep River. This is just east of Rolphton, turn north
on Hwy. 635. Follow the road a few km. to the river, which stays
open in winter at this point. With patience, you will see eagles,
Common Raven, Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye and a gull or
two.
The Deep River, Petawawa and Pembroke waterfronts have good
birding. Check out the beaches and marinas. There are parks and side
roads that are worth exploring in these towns and along old 17,
which runs between Petawawa and Pembroke.
East of Pembroke, take Pembroke St. East (Hwy.148) out of town
and take the turnoff to the Province of Quebec. Along this road are
three bridges (the first over railway tracks). After the second
bridge you are in Quebec, 'la belle province' and on Morrison
Island. The island is bordered by rapids and the water stays
open in winter. Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser and usually a
Barrow's Goldeneye or Harlequin Duck over winter on the east side
above and below the rapids.
Returning to Ontario, the area along the Ottawa River west of
Westmeath is good for birding. Turn south on Pembroke St. East and
go 4 km. or so to County Road 21. Turn left on 21 and travel to
County Road 12 and turn left again. You can't see the Ottawa River
along this road, but turn onto Moore's Beach Rd. and/or Sand Point
Rd. for access to the river. From Sand Point Rd., one can walk the
beach east into Westmeath Provincial Park (see next area).
Shorebirds such as yellowlegs, peeps and plovers can be found in
migration. Also, in late September and early October, walk the beach
grasses for Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow and Song
Sparrow, American Pipit and Lapland Longspur. In May to July, walk
into Westmeath Provincial Park (so far, an undeveloped park, thank
goodness!) which is a little further east on County Road 12 from
Sand Point Rd. Look for the locked iron gate, park and walk or cycle
in. Watch for accipiters, Ruffed Grouse, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted
Nuthatch, Winter Wren, vireos, warblers, Baltimore Oriole and Purple
Finch. Also in the park, Bellow's Bay (take the right fork when
walking in) is a protected bay of the Ottawa River and in late April
is a staging area for migrating ducks. Dabblers such as Wood Duck,
Green-winged Teal, American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, and
Northern Shoveler and diving ducks such as Ring-necked Duck, scaup,
Bufflehead, and Hooded Merganser are seen. Rusty Blackbirds pass
through in April and Eastern Phoebe and Golden-crowned Kinglets are
seen then, too. If you follow either fork, you can get to the
beautiful, unspoiled beach. Be aware of the Poison Ivy in this
Park.
If you can find the boat launch and municipal dock in the town of
Westmeath (turn left in town at the blue, wood-sided building before
the bridge), you can scan a large expanse of the Ottawa River as
well as a shoreline of reeds and grasses.
Further down river from Westmeath, between La Passe and
Forester's Falls are the famous rafting companies: Esprit
(819-683-3241), Owl (613-646-2263), River Run (613-646-2501) and
Wilderness Tours (613-646-2291). This area of the Ottawa River is
good Osprey nesting habitat.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial
Park is a world famous destination for travelers. As well as
the opportunity to view Black Bear, Moose, White-tailed Deer and
Beaver, birders seek out boreal species such as Gray Jay,
Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee and Spruce Grouse.
Canoeing, camping and hiking is exceptional. To reach the northeast
side of the Park, take Hwy.17 to the Achray Road South exit, then
follow the signage for Algonquin Park. It will seem like a long
drive (32 km.) to the entrance gate, but there are some wetlands and
second growth on the way you may want to check. Once in the park,
you will find continuous pine forest. Many warbler species can be
found from May to September, such as Nashville, Chestnut-sided,
Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green,
Blackburnian and Pine to name a few. Other species found in
Algonquin are Common Loon, Broad-winged Hawk, Ruffed Grouse,
Solitary Sandpiper (rare), Black-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Belted
Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
Great-crested Flycatcher, Common Raven, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren,
Veery, Solitary Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and
Purple Finch. To find Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (late May to early
July), look for the sign for the Barron River Canyon trail at 10.5
km. from the Park's Sand Rd. east gate. Park in the lot and walk the
1.5 km.loop trail to the top of the canyon. From the top of the 100
meter high granite walls, you may hear the flycatchers (in the
riparian zone upriver towards Brigham Chute) as well as Hermit
Thrush, Northern Waterthrush, Dark-eyed Junco. Black-backed
Woodpecker (unusual), Gray Jay and Olive-sided Flycatcher are
possible along the trail. Canoeing in the canyon will ensure you
hear Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. There is a canoe outfitter (
Algonquin Portage Store) on the road into the park. Rental canoes
and Algonquin Park literature are available there.
(613-735-1795)
Quebec
Quebec - Continuing along Hwy.148 past Morrison Island,
you land on Allumette Island. This island has good open country
birding for raptors such as Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk
(Spring/Fall), American Kestrel, and in winter such species as Snowy
Owl, Northern Hawk-Owl, Great Gray Owl (these northern owls appear
some years), Snow Bunting and Northern Shrike. Virginia Rail can be
heard (May to July) in the small wetlands on the eastern end of the
island. By going onto the mainland across the bridge from Chapeau
and turning west, there is an interesting area of forest and
farmland around Sheenboro, Fort William and Nicabong. The road from
Fort William along the Ottawa river running north is a beautiful
drive and glimpses of the rugged hills (the Laurentians) to the
north conjure up a rugged wilderness. There are secondary roads into
this northwestern area of Pontiac County, but they can be rough and
rocky. Topographic maps containing these portions of the PAFN
birding circle in Pontiac County are 31 F/14, 31 F/15, 31 K/2 and 31
K/3. These maps can be purchased at World of Maps in Ottawa.
Returning east to Waltham and Fort Coulonge, try roads going
north into the hills and river valleys. This is exploratory birding
and you can expect surprises. Mourning Warblers nest in this area.
The road into Davidson is good for birding as there is a wetland
along the road and in Davidson, turn right down to the municipal
dock to view the Ottawa River. Further east, Fort Coulonge has a
sewage lagoon, which is a half km. or so east of town on the main
street. Look for a side road running south. There is a house on the
corner. The area around Otter Lake has been well explored by birders
from the Ottawa Field
Naturalists.
