Bird Protection Quebec's "Summer Series 2010" - Trip #6 Report

8 birders joined up in Dundee, Quebec yesterday on a simply beautiful day of sunshine with low heat and humidity. We explored the trails of the réserve faunique du lac St-François, including the observation tower, the wooded areas and part of the extensive boardwalk. We then moved on to some open farm fields along Montee Watson and then to the Great Egret Walk. Our final stop was on Chemin Gordon hoping to find Sedge Wren that have been spotted there regularly in years past...but not this time!

We met up with a number of "Friends of the Lac-St-Francois Reserve", a volunteer group that staffs the welcome centre and, more importantly works on the never-ending job of upkeep of the reserve. They have a young and enthusiastic group. They continue to work hard on improving the facilities and they encourage more and more of Quebec's birders to visit the reserve to enjoy the results of their continuing efforts.

The highlight of our day was a pair of high-soaring Bald Eagles, one amazing adult together with a probable youngster. Runners-up were the Sandhill Cranes which all of us heard at the Great Egret Walk, and which a couple of our group got to see in a fly-over!

Strangely enough, we did not spot a Great Blue Heron, normally seen in large numbers in Dundee.

Here is our complete species list for the day: Wood Duck - 1, Mallard - 6, Great Egret - 1, Green Heron - 3, Turkey Vulture - 2, Osprey - 4, Bald Eagle - 2, Northern Harrier - 2, Red-tailed Hawk - 2, Sandhill Crane - 2 (for sure, possibly more), Ring-billed Gull - 6, Rock Pigeon - 10, Mourning Dove - 12, Belted Kingfisher - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee - 4, Alder Flycatcher - 6, Eastern Phoebe - 1, Eastern Kingbird - 12, Red-eyed Vireo - 2, Blue Jay - 4, American Crow - 24, Tree Swallow - 150, Barn Swallow - 6, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, White-breasted Nuthatch - 2, House Wren - 1, Veery - 3, American Robin - 6, Gray Catbird - 3, European Starling - 20, Cedar Waxwing - 15, Yellow Warbler - 40, American Redstart - 3, Common Yellowthroat - 20, Eastern Towhee - 1, Chipping Sparrow - 6, Song Sparrow - 20, Swamp Sparrow - 6, Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2, Red-winged Blackbird - 30, Common Grackle - 10, Purple Finch - 4, American Goldfinch - 50 - Sheldon