Bird Protection Quebec's Field Trip Report for Saturday January 31st

9 birders participated in today field trip on the South Shore. Our drive took us through parts of Boucherville, Varennes, St-Bruno & St-Hubert. It was very bright sun-filled morning but -15 C. and strong winds, particularly in open areas, kept time outside the vehicles to a limit.

Everyone was very pleased with the 17 species accumulated throughout the morning. Highlights included a few good looks at both Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks; a huge flock of Snow Buntings and a small group of Horned Larks in Varennes; and good close-up looks at a very cooperative heavily spotted Snowy Owl on ch. de l'aeroport in St-Hubert.

Here is our species list for the day:

Red-tailed Hawk (Buse à queue rousse)
Rough-legged Hawk (Buse pattue)
Rock Pigeon (Pigeon biset)
Mourning Dove (Tourterelle triste)
Snowy Owl (Harfang des neiges)
Hairy Woodpecker (Pic Chevelu)
Blue Jay (Geai bleu)
American Crow (Corneille d'Amérique)
Horned Lark (Alouette hausse-col)
Black-capped Chickadee (Mésange à tête noire)
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sittelle à poitrine blanche)
European Starling (Étourneau sansonnet)
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco ardoisé)
Snow Bunting ( Bruant des neiges)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinal rouge)
Pine Grosbeak (Durbec des sapins)
House Sparrow (Moineau domestique)

Thanks to everyone who braved the cold for an enjoyable morning outing. - Sheldon