Winter - Local Excursions & Programs

WINTER BIRDING FIELD TRIPS

Relaxed, Fun, Exciting and Educational Excursions in the Ottawa Area


From Beginner To Expert - Great For ALL Levels

“Always An Adventure”

Winter Birding Packages

NEW - 3 SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO FIT YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE

  • 1) Get the entire Winter Package for only $250 This includes ALL half-day excursions and overnight trips.
  • 2) Only have time on Weekends? For only $170 get all half-day, and full-day excursions that occur on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays)
  • 3) Only have time during Weekdays? For only $170 get all the half-day excursions that happen during the week (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
  • Offers Expire Dec 25
  • Registered Members Can Expect More!
  • HURRY, Space Is Limited!!!

Half-Day Excursions in The Ottawa Area

All Half-Day trips start at 8:00am, and end around 12:30pm.

Regular Price: $35.00 per person, per excursion

  1. Tuesday Nov 24 - Waterfowl, Cranes, Raptors & Open Country Birds - Ottawa East
  2. Thursday Nov 26 - Raptors & Open Country Birds - Ottawa West
  3. Saturday Nov 28 - Waterfowl, Cranes, Raptors & Open Country Birds - Ottawa East
  4. Sunday Nov 29 - Raptors & Open Country Birds - Ottawa West
  5. Tuesday Dec 1 - Dewberry Trail, Mer Bleue & Wall Road - Ottawa East
  6. Thursday Dec 3 - Early Winter Specialties - Ottawa West
  7. Saturday Dec 5 - The Gatineau Escarpment & The Steele Line
  8. Sunday Dec 6 - Chickadees, Nuthatches & Finches - Ottawa West
  9. Tuesday Dec 8 - Greenbelt Trails - Ottawa West
  10. Thursday Dec 10 - Winter Water Birds - Ottawa Centre & West
  11. Saturday Dec 12 - Winter Water Birds - Ottawa Centre & West
  12. Sunday Dec 13 - Hawks, Snowy Owls & Open Country Birds - Ottawa East
  13. Saturday Dec 19 - Britannia & Deschenes Rapids
  14. Tuesday Dec 22 - Twitcher's Delight - Ottawa Centre & West
  15. Saturday Jan 9 - Raptor Search - Ottawa East
  16. Sunday Jan 10 - Raptor Search - Ottawa West
  17. Tuesday Jan 12 - The Gatineau Escarpment & The Steele Line
  18. Thursday Jan 14 - Dewberry Trail, Mer Bleue & Wall Road - Ottawa East
  19. Tuesday Jan 19 - Winter Specialties - Ottawa West
  20. Thursday Mar 18 - Britannia & The Ottawa River - Ottawa West
  21. Saturday Mar 20 - Woodland & Wetland Edges - Ottawa West
  22. Sunday Mar 21 - Larose Forest & Open Fields - Ottawa East
  23. Tuesday Mar 23 - The First Spring Arrivals - Ottawa West
  24. Wednesday Mar 24 - The First Spring Arrivals - Ottawa East

Overnight Excursions Outside The Ottawa Area

Two Days/One Night - Regular Price: $160.00 per person, per excursion - food, transportation and accommodations not included

  1. Sat/Sun Jan 16 & 17 - Overnight to Amherst Island & the Kingston Area- start @ 6:00am, Jan 16
  2. Sat/Sun Mar 27 & 28 - Overnight to Amherst Island & the Kingston Area- start @ 6:00am, Mar 27

Half-Day Excursions in The Ottawa Area


1 - Tuesday Nov 24, 8:00am - Waterfowl, Cranes, Raptors & Open Country Birds - Ottawa East

Meeting Place: The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17.


The agricultural fields east of Ottawa are a significant staging ground for waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes. Many hawks and owls also migrate through here. We should see Rough-legged Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks hunting from conspicuous perches in the fields. American Kestrels might be observed hovering over the open terrain. We may even watch a successful catch. This is developing into a good winter for northern raptors. So, we have a chance to find Snowy Owl, Cooper&s Hawk and another regularly-occurring winter specialties in Ottawa. Other possibilities include Gray Partridge, Snow Bunting, Northern Shrike, Northern Goshawk, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Northern Hawk Owl or even an elusive Gyrfalcon.

2 - Thursday Nov 26, 8:00am - Raptors & Open Country Birds - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


The agricultural fields around Ottawa are always good for a variety of hawks and owls, especially in winter. Northern raptors adapted to hunting over the open tundra find local farm fields ideal wintering grounds. Perched from a tree or fence post, they scan the fields for Meadow Voles and other small prey. Hopefully, we'll watch Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks or American Kestrels hover over the open terrain as they hunt. We may even observe a successful catch. Although it's still a bit early in the season, we have a chance to find Snowy Owl, another regularly occurring winter raptor in Ottawa. Other possibilities include Gray Partridge, Snow Bunting, Northern Shrike, Northern Goshawk, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon or Gyrfalcon.

3 - Saturday Nov 28, 8:00am - Waterfowl, Cranes, Raptors & Open Country Birds - Ottawa East

Meeting Place: The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17.


Today, we will repeat the popular and productive route from last Tuesday’s excursion. The agricultural fields east of Ottawa are a significant staging ground for waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes. Many hawks and owls also migrate through here. We should see Rough-legged Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks hunting from conspicuous perches in the fields. American Kestrels might be observed hovering over the open terrain. We may even watch a successful catch. This is developing into a good winter for northern raptors. So, we have a chance to find Snowy Owl, Cooper's Hawk and another regularly-occurring winter specialties in Ottawa. Other possibilities include Gray Partridge, Snow Bunting, Northern Shrike, Northern Goshawk, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Northern Hawk Owl or even an elusive Gyrfalcon.

4 - Sunday Nov 29, 8:00am - Raptors & Open Country Birds - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


Today, we will repeat the popular and productive route from last Thursday's excursion. The agricultural fields around Ottawa are always good for a variety of hawks and owls, especially in winter. Northern raptors adapted to hunting over the open tundra find local farm fields ideal wintering grounds. Perched from a tree or fence post, they scan the fields for Meadow Voles and other small prey. Hopefully, we'll watch Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks or American Kestrels hover over the open terrain as they hunt. We may even observe a successful catch. Although it's still a bit early in the season, we have a chance to find Snowy Owl, another regularly occurring winter raptor in Ottawa. Other possibilities include Gray Partridge, Snow Bunting, Northern Shrike, Northern Goshawk, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon or Gyrfalcon.

5 - Tuesday Dec 1, 8:00am - Dewberry Trail, Mer Bleue & Wall Road - Ottawa East

Meeting Place: The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17.


Ottawa's east end is blessed with much natural habitat, including the unique Mer Bleue. Some years, interesting northern birds over-winter here. Perhaps a Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Goshawk, Barred Owl or a flock of Pine Grosbeaks will give us a show. Hopefully, the fields surrounding the city will produce birds like Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, Gray Partridge, Snow Bunting, or with luck, Short-eared Owl. We'll check feeding stations and trails for winter finches, woodpeckers and sparrows. If time permits, we'll head further east in search of winter raptors like Rough-legged Hawk and Snowy Owl. There will likely still be some waterfowl lingering in the fields. And, maybe even a few Sandhill Cranes.

6 - Thursday Dec 3, 8:00am - Early Winter Specialties - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east end, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


Winter is what makes Ottawa one of the most unique birding destinations on this continent, and even the world. Each year, Ottawa attracts birds like White-winged Crossbill, Evening Grosbeak, Black-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing or Snowy Owl. And birders from across the globe have come here just to glimpse a few of these gems that would otherwise be elusive elsewhere. Following up on reports from local birding networks, we'll search Ottawa's west end for the early arrivals of these over-wintering birds. Some of the possibilities include Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Common Redpoll, Northern Hawk Owl or Gyrfalcon.

7 - Saturday Dec 5, 8:00am - The Gatineau Escarpment & The Steele Line

Meeting Place: The parking lot of the Information Kiosk, corner of Rue Gamelin and Promenade de la Gatineau.


The rugged beauty of the Gatineau Escarpment offers the naturalist opportunity to see many interesting birds. At the edge of the Canadian Shield, northern finches, woodpeckers and raptors recognize habitats similar to their northern breeding grounds. Typically, they're found here more easily than in Ottawa's lowlands. We'll look for raptors using the updrafts created by the escarpment. Throughout winter Bald Eagles are found regularly, and occasionally, we see Golden Eagles. We'll spend the morning exploring the many backroads networked through the hills and lowlands, including the famed Steele Line. Other possibilities include: Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill, Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Shrike, Northern Goshawk... the possibilities are endless.

8 - Sunday Dec 6, 8:00am - Chickadees, Nuthatches & Finches - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: The parking lot of the Jack Pine Trail, on Moodie Drive, south of Hunt Club Road.


What would we do without chickadees? Although the Black-capped Chickadee is abundant, they never fail to entertain. And, the Jack Pine Trail is the best place to experience these tame bundles of energy. Many of the other forest birds (like nuthatches) have learned from the chickadees, and enthusiastically feed from your hand. All you need is a few sunflowers, or peanuts and voila - you've made a friend. Occasionally, even the winter finches do the same. I've had Pine Siskin and Common Redpoll sit in my hand until they've finished every seed. But, the Jack Pine Trail is more than just chickadees. We'll hike the trails looking for all signs of wildlife. Animal tracks, Owl pellets, Porcupine droppings, Woodpecker holes, Snow Fleas - its all there. With persistence, we may even see the animals themselves. If time permits, we'll drive nearby country roads looking for raptors like Rough-legged Hawk and Snowy Owl.

9 - Tuesday Dec 8, 8:00am - Greenbelt Trails - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


Ottawa's Greenbelt is blessed with a rich network of woodland trails, many providing shelter and food for a rich diversity of wildlife. We'll start at one of the trail networks in the west end, likely near the Ottawa River. We hope to see the arrival of the first over-wintering songbirds feeding in scrub or along woodland edges. In the forests, we'll look for woodpeckers, chickadees, finches, or raptors. If we're really lucky, we'll witness a band of chickadees mobbing a small owl. If time permits, we'll check nearby fields for various waterfowl and raptors. There should be interesting things around during this transitional period between seasons.

10 - Thursday Dec 10, 8:00am - Winter Water Birds - Ottawa Centre & West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


Every winter, regardless of temperature, our local rivers remain open where waters run fast. Tolerant of extreme cold, many hardy ducks enjoy our rivers simply because they've adapted to finding food in these extremes. They wouldn't survive otherwise. Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Mallard and Black Ducks should be highly visible. Mixed among them will be some uncommon waterfowl like Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, or maybe something more unusual. There may be some over-wintering "white-winged" gulls on the ice edge, like Glaucous, Iceland or Thayer's. The open waters are also patrolled by hunters like Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle or Cooper's Hawk. With luck, we might see a Gyrfalcon, one of the most sought-after birds of prey by many birdwatchers.

11 - Saturday Dec 12, 8:00am - Winter Water Birds - Ottawa Centre & West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


Today, we will repeat the popular and productive route from last Thursday's excursion. Every winter, regardless of temperature, our local rivers remain open where waters run fast. Tolerant of extreme cold, many hardy ducks enjoy our rivers simply because they've adapted to finding food in these extremes. They wouldn't survive otherwise. Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Mallard and Black Ducks should be highly visible. Mixed among them will be some uncommon waterfowl like Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, or maybe something more unusual. There may be some over-wintering "white-winged" gulls on the ice edge, like Glaucous, Iceland or Thayer's. The open waters are also patrolled by hunters like Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle or Cooper's Hawk. With luck, we might see a Gyrfalcon, one of the most sought-after birds of prey by many birdwatchers.

12 - Sunday Dec 13, 8:00am - Hawks, Snowy Owls & Open Country Birds - Ottawa East

Meeting Place: The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17.


The open agricultural fields east of Ottawa are often our most productive areas for raptors, especially in winter. Red-tailed Hawks regularly occur here all year round. Some winters, this is the most reliable area for Snowy Owl. The vast open expanses offer ideal hunting grounds for these arctic breeders. With luck, we may see other interesting animals like Coyote, Red Fox, Gray Partridge, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Short-eared Owl or Lapland Longspur. If time permits, we'll check suburban bird feeders for early or unusual winter arrivals.

13 - Saturday Dec 19, 8:00am - Britannia & Deschenes Rapids

Meeting Place: Along Cassles Road, outside the gate to the Britannia Filtration Plant


With its swift currents, the Deschenes Rapids stay open all year, even during the harshest winter months. These waters attract a great variety of birds that have adapted to the extreme conditions of this very special area. We will likely find several species of ducks, including Common Merganser and Common Goldeneye. We'll look for more unusual waterfowl like Barrow's Goldeneye and Long-tailed Duck. The riparian growth at the water's edge will host a few songbirds and woodpeckers including tame chickadees, nuthatches, finches, Northern Cardinal and Pileated Woodpecker. With luck, we may see a Bald Eagle or some rare birds. There's always activity at the Britannia Conservation area. If time permits, we'll check Andrew Haydon Park for interesting waterfowl and northern gulls.

14 - Tuesday Dec 22, 8:00am - Twitcher's Delight - Ottawa Centre & West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, northwest corner, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


Today is open to following-up on recent reports of unusual birds. So often, at this time of year, interesting birds, far from their normal wintering range, arrive in the Ottawa area. Perhaps a Black-backed Woodpecker is consistently visiting a stand of conifers, or a Townsend's Solitaire has discovered a bounty of Juniper berries, or a Harris's Sparrow is frequenting a local feeding station. Whatever excitement is being reported, we will engage in a quest. The timing of this trip follows the Ottawa/Hull Christmas Bird Count. So, we'll know that the area has been thoroughly searched for our target species. If nothing special has been reported to the local rare-bird network, we'll do everything we can to find our own rarities.

15 - Saturday Jan 9, 8:00am - Raptor Search - Ottawa East

Meeting Place: The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17.


This trip highlights birds of prey found east of the city. As winter progresses, some raptors become fairly predictable in their hunting routines. Meanwhile, others might still be arriving from the north. We'll mainly check open country, the most consistent place where we can make observations. However, based on reports from local birding networks, we'll concentrate efforts in locations where they're known to occur. Some of our targets include Snowy Owl, Northern Goshawk, Northern Shrike, Rough-legged Hawk or any of the more rare northern specialties like Northern Hawk Owl or Gyrfalcon.

16 - Sunday Jan 10, 8:00am - Raptor Search - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


This trip focuses on raptors found west of the city, where we have different habitat conditions compared to the east. We'll check open country, river courses, and even urban landscapes, for our target species. Of course, we'll concentrate efforts where the raptors are being seen by other birders. However, we'll also check areas where they're traditionally found. Some of our targets include Peregrine Falcon, Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, Bald Eagle, and if they're around, Great Gray Owl or Gyrfalcon.

17 - Tuesday Jan 12, 8:00am - The Gatineau Escarpment & The Steele Line

Meeting Place: The parking lot of the Information Kiosk, corner of Rue Gamelin and Promenade de la Gatineau.


The rugged beauty of the Gatineau Escarpment offers the naturalist opportunity to see many interesting birds. At the edge of the Canadian Shield, northern finches, woodpeckers and raptors recognize habitats similar to their northern breeding grounds. Typically, they're found here more easily than in Ottawa's lowlands. We'll look for raptors using the updrafts created by the escarpment. Throughout winter Bald Eagles are found regularly, and occasionally, we see Golden Eagles. We'll spend the morning exploring the many backroads networked through the hills and lowlands, including the famed Steele Line. Other possibilities include: Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill, Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Shrike, Northern Goshawk... the possibilities are endless.

18 - Thursday Jan 14, 8:00am - Dewberry Trail, Mer Bleue & Wall Road - Ottawa East

Meeting Place: The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17.


Ottawa's east end is blessed with much natural habitat, including the unique Mer Bleue. Some years, interesting northern birds over-winter here. Perhaps a Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Goshawk, Barred Owl or a flock of Pine Grosbeaks will give us a show. Hopefully, the fields surrounding the city will produce birds like Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, Gray Partridge, Snow Bunting, or with luck, Short-eared Owl. We'll check feeding stations and trails for winter finches, woodpeckers and sparrows. If time permits, we'll head further east in search of winter raptors like Rough-legged Hawk and Snowy Owl.

19 - Tuesday Jan 19, 8:00am - Winter Specialties - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


Winter, and all the over-wintering birds that visit from the north, are what set Ottawa apart from the rest of the avian world. Each year, our city can attract northern birds like White-winged Crossbill, Evening Grosbeak, Black-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing or Snowy Owl. And birders from across the globe have come here just to glimpse a few of these gems that would be elusive elsewhere on the continent. Following up on reports from local birding networks, we'll search Ottawa's west end for these birds. If they're around, we'll even look for Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Hoary Redpoll, Northern Hawk Owl, Great Gray Owl or even Boreal Owl.

20 - Thursday Mar 18, 8:00am - Britannia & The Ottawa River - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Along Cassles Road, outside the gate to the Britannia Filtration Plant


March is when the Ottawa River shows the first signs of beginning to break up. The ice on Lac Deschenes moves further away from the rapids, and more gulls and waterfowl stage along its edges. We'll look for the first migrating ducks like Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Greater Scaup or Long-tailed Duck. While there are still Glaucous and Iceland Gulls mixed with the common Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls, we will see the first pairs of Ring-billed Gulls arriving on territory - immaculate adults dressed in full breeding plumage. If weather conditions are favorable, we'll see a few American Robins and blackbirds mixed in with the over-wintering finches feeding in the honeysuckle and buckthorn.

21 - Saturday Mar 20, 8:00am - Woodland & Wetland Edges - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


This is a transition time when northern birds still flourish in our conifers, and the first spring migrants arrive on territory. We'll check various woodlots, marshes and fields in the Dunrobin area for the signs of restlessness. We'll drive the backroads, making frequent stops. We may even hike a short trail or two. Many finches should still be around, while blackbirds, Golden-crowned Kinglets and American Robins will likely be moving through. Above us, hawks will likely be catching updrafts or thermals as they venture northward. There'll be excitement in the air as we detect the subtle signs of the changing season.

22 - Sunday Mar 21, 8:00am - Larose Forest & Open Fields - Ottawa East

Meeting Place: The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17.


The Larose Forest is a mixed tract of natural habitats and coniferous plantation. Much of it has matured, and the vast forest often harbours many interesting species. We'll start by checking a few local fields for Snowy Owl before we drive through the forest. In the woods we hope to see good numbers of northern finches, woodpeckers, and early spring migrants. With luck we may find Northern Goshawk, Red Crossbill or Ruffed Grouse. If time permits, we'll check the fields around the village of Casselman, where we should find more Snowy Owls and Rough-legged Hawks.

23 - Tuesday Mar 23, 8:00am - The First Spring Arrivals - Ottawa West

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


The first signs of spring are in the air. And, there is no better place than along Ottawa's river courses to witness the transition. Male Red-winged Blackbirds will be belting out the familiar "Konka-ree" as they establish their territories in local marshes. American Robins might be inspired to sing a few phrases of their sweet spring melodies. For certain, we'll see adult Ring-billed Gulls in their immaculate breeding plumage, paired off with their mates. Although birds will be on the move, there will still be plenty of winter birds around. We'll attempt to get close views of finches, waxwings, woodpeckers, raptors, white-winged gulls and waterfowl.

24 - Wednesday Mar 24, 8:00am - The First Spring Arrivals - Ottawa East

Meeting Place: The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17.


By mid March we can expect longer days and the beginnings of a spring thaw. These conditions typically cause flooding in low-lying fields east of Ottawa. It also triggers many waterfowl, gulls and other species to push northward. If conditions are ideal, we usually get a flurry of ducks, geese, blackbirds, and others arriving, sometimes in big numbers. Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds will already be establishing territories. And, the backroads through the open fields will have a sprinkling of Horned Larks picking at gravel to aid their digestion. We'll explore agricultural areas for raptors, Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspur, or anything unusual. If conditions are warm, we might see a few early arrivals like Tree Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Phoebe or Sandhill Crane. This is the beginning of my favourite time of year.

Overnight Excursions Outside The Ottawa Area


1 - Saturday/Sunday Jan 16 & 17 - Overnight to Amherst Island & the Kingston Area - start @ 6:00am, Jan 16

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


This is the first of two trips to Amherst Island. Most years the Island is a haven for over-wintering raptors. Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks can be common, while Snowy Owl, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl and Saw-whet Owl are usually present, sometimes in good numbers. With luck we may even find a Boreal Owl or Great Gray Owl. These birds of prey are attracted to the abundant Meadow Vole population and the vast open spaces, ideal for their hunting techniques. If conditions are good, we'll stay on the island until dusk, when many raptors are most active. If time permits, other areas along the St. Lawrence River, especially near Kingston, should provide us with good views of interesting waterfowl, raptors or something rare.

2 - Saturday/Sunday Mar 27 & 28 - Overnight to Amherst Island & the Kingston Area - start @ 6:00am, Mar 27

Meeting Place: Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.


This is the second trip this season to Amherst Island. Anticipating a good winter for raptors, we'll look for Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks. Snowy Owls, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl and Saw-whet Owl are usually present, possibly in good numbers. With luck we may even find a Boreal Owl or Great Gray Owl. These birds of prey are attracted to the abundant Meadow Vole population and the vast open spaces, ideal for their hunting techniques. If conditions are good, we'll stay on the island until dusk, when many raptors are most active. If time permits, other areas along the St. Lawrence River, especially near Kingston, should provide us with good views of interesting waterfowl, raptors or something rare. No two trips are alike. And, we can expect a few different birds to our first trip.