Bird Protect Quebec "Field Trip Report" October 27

Granby, Lac Boivin

Driving along the Eastern Townships Autoroute to Granby early this morning was a bit of an adventure, mainly due to the heavy fog, causing severely reduced visibility, and the strong smell of fertilizer from the farms. By the time we arrived at our destination though, the fog had lifted and 14 birders has a great morning of fall birding with mild, rain-free and wind-free weather. In fact the Sun even broke through at times later in the morning.

Everyone experienced the attack of the hungry and bold Chickadees, accompanied by a few Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, all to comfortable with the visitors to the park. Hand-feeding took place at numerous spots throughout the park.

Ducks and geese were numerous on the lake, with the up-close-and-personal contact with the Wood Ducks along the boardwalk being one of the day's highlights.

Our bird of the day was the Bohemian Waxwing, with a group of ten easily observed at two locations along the water's edge.

Strangely there were many common or anticipated species missing today, including Mourning Doves, woodpecker species, White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, Northern Cardinal, to name a few.

Here is our list of 34 species for the day: Snow Goose 200, Canada Goose 200, Wood Duck 20, Gadwall 12, American Wigeon 100, American Black Duck 4, Mallard 75, Blue-winged Teal 4, Northern Shoveler 6, Green-winged Teal 15, Ring-necked Duck 8, Hooded Merganser 25, Pied-billed Grebe 2, Double-crested Cormorant 1, Great Blue Heron 1, Ring-billed Gull 750, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Blue Jay 20, American Crow 13, Black-capped Chickadee 80, Red-breasted Nuthatch 6, White-breasted Nuthatch 14, Brown Creeper 2, Golden-crowned Kinglet 3, American Robin 2, Bohemian Waxwing 10, American Tree Sparrow 1, Fox Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 2, Dark-eyed Junco 3, Red-winged Blackbird 85, Rusty Blackbird 7, American Goldfinch 6
  Oie des neiges 200, Bernache du Canada 200, Canard branchu 20, Canard chipeau 12, Canard d'Amérique 100, Canard noir 4, Canard colvert 75, Sarcelle à ailes bleues 4, Canard souchet 6, Sarcelle d'hiver 15, Fuligule à collier 8, Harle couronné 25, Grèbe à bec bigarré 2, Cormoran à aigrettes 1, Grand Héron 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 750, Grand Pic 1, Geai bleu 20, Corneille d'Amérique 13, Mésange à tête noire 80, Sittelle à poitrine rousse 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 14, Grimpereau brun 2, Roitelet à couronne dorée 3, Merle d'Amérique 2, Jaseur boréal 10, Bruant hudsonien 1, Bruant fauve 1,Bruant chanteur 2, Junco ardoisé 3, Carouge à épaulettes 85, Quiscale rouilleux 7, Chardonneret jaune 6