Bird protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" March 30

Montréal, parc nature Cap St Jacques 

Hello everyone, Twenty-two birders participated in today's five kilometer walk around Cap St Jacques Nature Park and enjoyed bright sunshine, cloudless skies, calm conditions and warm temperatures. The mercury rose steadily during the morning from -2C to 6C but the sun made it feel warmer. Walking conditions were better than expected with mostly hard surfaces albeit a little slippery in places. The birding was fairly quiet by spring standards but we did manage to find 34 species including ten species of waterfowl. Birds of the day were chosen more for their behaviour than for their rarity. Interesting courtship and territorial displays of three Hairy Woodpeckers and the numerous groups of Common Goldeneyes on the open areas of water were intriguing to watch. Also of note was a very pale breasted Red-tailed Hawk which sat in a tree long enough for everyone to admire through the telescopes. Two groups of Snow Geese high overhead against the clear blue sky were also a standout. 

Our complete list of 34 species includes: Snow Goose - 100, Canada Goose - 150, Wood Duck - 8, American Black Duck - 2, Mallard - 30, Ring-necked Duck - 3, Bufflehead - 2, Common Goldenye - 60, Hooded Merganser - 8, Common Merganser - 20, Great Blue Heron - 1, Red-tailed Hawk - 1, Killdeer - 2, Ring-billed Gull - 8, Herring Gull - 2, Great Black-backed Gull - 4, Mourning Doves - 2, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Hairy Woodpecker - 4, Pileated Woodpecker - 2, American Crow - 12, Black-capped Chickadee - 10, White-breasted Nuthatch - 4, American Robin - 1, European Starling - 10,  American Tree Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 2, Dark-eyed Junco - 6, Northern Cardinal - 8, Red-winged blackbird - 11, Common Grackle - 10, Brown-headed Cowbird - 1, Common Redpoll - 2, American Goldfinch - 1


Oie des neiges - 100, Bernache du Canada - 150, Canard branchu - 8, Canard noir - 2, Canard colvert - 30, Fuligule à collier - 3, Petit Garrot - 2, Garrow à oeil d'or - 60, Harle couronné - 8, Grand Harle - 20, Grand Héron - 1, Buse à queue rousse - 1, Pluvier kildir - 2, Goéland à bec cerclé - 8, Goéland argenté - 2, Goéland marin - 4, Tourterelles tristes - 2, Pic mineur - 1, Pic chevelu - 4, Grand Pic - 2, Corneille d'Amérique - 12, Mésange à tête noire - 10, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 4, Merle d'Amérique - 1, Étourneau sansonnet - 10, Bruant hudsonien - 1 Bruant chanteur - 2, Junco ardoisé - 6, Cardinal rouge - 8, Carouge à épaulettes - 11, Quiscale bronzé - 10, Vacher à tête brune - 1, Sizerin flammé - 2, Chardonneret jaune - 1

Many thanks to all the veterans and novices who came out to make it a very enjoyable morning. Special thanks to Jacques and Charlie for joining me in the "Designated Idiots" group of scope carriers. You helped more people get great views of some of our better birds. - Wayne Grubert