Hello Ontbirders Yesterday evening Ben and I birded along the Ottawa River and observed 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls mainly at Deschenes Rapids, 5 ad., 2 3rd.year and 1 first winter. There were also 250+ Great Black-backed Gulls, mainly adults. At Shirley's Bay 1 Marbled Godwit, 4 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Am. Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin and both Virginia and Sora rail were observed. Good birding, Bruce and Ben Directions: Shirley's Bay: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to the Moodie Drive exit and turn north (right) on Moodie Drive and continue to Carling Ave. Turn left at Carling Ave. and follow Carling to Rifle Road. Turn right (north) on Rifle Rd. Park at the lot at the end (boat launch). Walk back to the road, and continue through the gate on the Department of National Defense property. There is a trail on your right (clearly marked with vehicle "No Entry" signs) which heads into the woods, and, eventually to the dyke. There is lots of POISON IVY along the dyke. **** PLEASE NOTE**** YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE RANGE CONTROL OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING THE DYKE AREA-- Call (613) 991-5740 and request permission to visit the dyke area for birding. Di Labio Birding Website Courses and Field Trips http://www.dilabiobirding.ca http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O. Box 538 Carp, Ontario K0A 1L0 Office 613-839-4395 Mobile 613-715-2571