January 16th - The January 100

 

January 16th

          As a winter birding challenge, some birders especially those who live in a northerly climate attempt to find 100 species during January.  This is something Mike and I have never accomplished until today.  The January 100 was one of our Big Year goals, but we kept it quiet because as my mother used to say, “don’t count your chickens” and as I sometimes say, “don’t jinx yourself.”      

          We made plans to go birding with Ann and Howard Rosenberg who have been our birding buddies, travel mates and wonderful friends for more than 25 years.  So, it was terrific that they could join us today.  Our day started out at Castalia Pond which is spring fed and never freezes. It attracts loads of ducks when everything else freezes over in the wintertime.  Here we saw our 100th species, a Northern Shoveler.

          After a couple of stops we ended up at another sewage treatment plant in Fremont.  This one did not smell, and the outflow area had a few ducks including a Green-winged Teal.  From here we went to a spot to search for Lapland Longspurs and because of Ann’s eagle eyes, we found them. 

          Finally, we arrived at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge where the monthly wildlife drive was open today.  With a couple of tips from a local birder, we were able to find a Great-horned Owl and a very special Rough-legged Hawk which is one of our nemesis birds.  We had dinner with Ann and Howard and celebrated a fun day of birding and attaining a big milestone.  (5 new species, total 104)

          Northern Shoveler                        Great-horned Owl

          Green-winged Teal                      Lapland Longspur

          Rough-legged Hawk  

                                            Northern Shoveler (male)

                                                Great Blue Heron
 
                                                    Great-horned Owl

 

Comments

  1. AnnJanuary 17, 2022 at 1:52 PM

    Absolutely fabulous birding with you. So glad that we could be a small part of your "Big Year".

    ReplyDelete

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