Bird Protection Quebec's Field Trip Report – February 23rd

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Morgan Arboretum: 12 birders, 14 species. Around -8 C, but felt warmer in the sun.

Bird of the day: Northern Shrike, perched at the top of a tree in Pullin's Pasture. (click photo to enlarge - M. Swoboda)

Runner-up bird of the day: Young male Pine Grosbeak, eating underneath the sunflower feeder at the Conservation Centre. Noteworthy because it was the first time any of us had seen this species at a feeder. It was very tame (a characteristic of this species, I believe) and we were able to watch it from a short distance away. A beautiful peachy colour. We looked for a band, thinking it may have been the bird Le Nichoir had released, but it didn't have one.

Species: Downy Woodpecker 1, Hairy Woodpecker 5 *(one male was banded), Pileated Woodpecker 2Northern Shrike 1, American Crow 20, Common Raven 1, Black-capped Chickadee 30,White-breasted Nuthatch 6, Bohemian Waxwing 1, Waxwing sp. 3, Northern Carninal 2, Pine Grosbeak 4, Common Redpoll 3, American Goldfinch 2

Rather quiet birdwise. As usual, lots of friendly dogs.

Cheers, Betsy