Bird-watchers swoop into park: Leslie Park was abuzz with birds and other wildlife Saturday morning when bird-watcher and professional wildlife photographer Tony Beck led a group of hikers through the park.

He said birds and other forms of wildlife are most active in the morning, after a good night’s rest.

“My style is to get as close as I possibly can by appearing non-threatening,” he said.

To do this, he uses tricks such as avoiding eye contact, avoiding abrupt movements and pretending he’s not interested in the creature he’s trying to get close to.

Beck, an Ottawa resident, submits photographs to magazines and performs nature tours and slide presentations all over the world.

AECL cleans up waste centre: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited has completed an extensive upgrade to their waste treatment centre after three years of planning and construction.

The project has enabled the nuclear power plant to reduce the emission of contaminants into the Ottawa River by trapping, solidifying and storing them.

The improved system can process ten times more low-level radioactive liquid waste per minute than the old system.

AECL celebrated the opening of the upgraded facility. Allumettes Island Mayor Denzil Spence, Shawville Mayor Albert Armstrong and Coun. Bill Atkinson represented Pontiac at the ribbon cutting.