Bird Protection Quebec's Field Trip Report - January 19th, 2008

Varennes, Vercheres and Boucherville

13 birders participated in today's cloudy and somewhat chillier than anticipated field trip. This was predominantly a driving trip taking us through the towns of Varennes, Vercheres and Boucherville.

There were several highlights throughout the day, including a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk on Montée du Lac in Varennes and a Red-tailed Hawk hanging out with a flock of Rock Pigeons on a Hydro tower on Chemin des Sucreries, seemingly getting along together just fine! A Glaucous Gull was seen by two of our birders along the waterfront in Vercheres.

A stop at Parc de la Frayere in Boucherville offered up a spectacular flock of 10 Pine Grosbeaks, a lifer for two members of the group. A final stop on rue de la Broquerie in Boucherville produced ananticipated European Goldfinch as well as a large flock of CommonRedpolls.

It was difficult to choose a single Bird of the Day, so the tie goes to the Pine Grosbeaks and the European Goldfinch, with honourable mention to the Glaucous Gull and Rough-legged Hawk.

We finished the day with a total of 28 species, slightly better than a two species to one birder ratio; very nice for a winter trip: Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco, Snow Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, House Sparrow, European Goldfinch.

Thanks to all who turned out for a great day.

Sheldon