Seventeen birders enjoyed a morning at Parc National d'
Oka with a mix of sun and cloud, moderate temperatures (6-8C) and ESE winds of 15 - 30 kph.
Our morning started well with a flyby of a pair of calling Common Ravens as we waited in the parking lot for everyone to gather.
We then headed for the west beach at the end of Chemin du débarcadère where two Hudsonian Godwits had been reported and they did not disappoint. Despite some severe backlighting their distinctive silhouette and long upturned bills were very much in evidence. They were joined by six other shorebird species the most numerous being Dunlins and White-rumped Sandpipers with singles of Black-bellied Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover and Sanderling. In some instances these birds were arranged at very close quarters giving great side by side size comparisons. As we were leaving the area a Peregrine Falcon came winging by looking for brunch among the shorebirds but despite its best efforts went away empty "taloned". One of the shorebirds however should go buy a lottery ticket as we all thought its days/seconds were numbered. There were many "oohs" and"ahs" and "eeks" from all of us as the chase proceeded. Still not sure how it escaped. The falcon then flew over us at a binoculars optional range.
A quick visit to the main beach area produced a few more duck species along with great views of Canada Geese coming in too rest. Always a treat to watch them spilling air as they attempt to lose altitude rapidly.
From the beach the group travelled to the Sentier de La Grande Baie. There were many, many distant ducks but most will have to go unidentified due to poor lighting conditions and the usual problems of scoping from a floating boardwalk.
Thanks to all who came out for a very pleasant morning. Good birds, good company! - Wayne Grubert
Our complete list of 43 species includes:
Canada Geese - 1000, Wood Duck - 10, Gadwall - 100, American Wigeon - 40, American Black Duck - 2, Mallard - 100, Northern Shoveler - 2, Ring-necked Duck - 200, Greater Scaup/Lesser Scaup - 200, White-winged Scoter - 6, Bufflehead - 12, Common Goldeneye - 6, Hooded Merganser - 2, Red-breasted Merganser - 1, Ruddy Duck - 2, Pied-billed Grebe - 1, Great Blue Heron - 2, Peregrine Falcon - 1, Black-bellied Plover - 1, Semipalmated Plover - 1, Hudsonian Godwit - 2, Sanderling - 1, White-rumped Sandpiper - 10, Pectoral Sandpiper - 1, Dunlin - 36, Ring-billed Gulls - 20, Herring Gull - 1, Great Black-backed Gull - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Hairy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 1, Pileated Woodpecker - 3, Blue Jay - 2, American Crow - 6, Common Raven - 2, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, White-breasted Nuthatch - 3, American Robin - 100, European Starling - 100, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2, Dark-eyed Junco - 6, Red-winged Blackbird - 100
Bernaches du Canada - 1000, Canard branchu - 10, Canard chipeau - 100, Canard d'Amérique - 40, Canard noir - 2, Canard colvert - 100, Canard souchet - 2, Fuligule à collier - 200, Fuligule milouinan / Petit Fuligule - 200, Macreuse brune - 6, Petit Garrot - 12, Garrot à oeil d'or - 6, Harle couronné - 2, Harle huppé - 1, Érismature rousse - 2, Grèbe à bec bigarré - 1, Grand Héron - 2, Faucon pèlerin - 1, Goélands à bec cerclé - 36, Pluvier argenté - 1, Pluvier semipalmé - 1, Barge hudsonienne - 2, Bécasseau sanderling - 1, Bécasseau à croupion blanc - 10, Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée - 1, Bécasseau variable 20, Goéland argenté - 1, Goélands marins - 1, Pic mineur - 1, Pic chevelu - 1, Pic flamboyant - 1, Grand Pic - 3, Geai Bleu - 2, Corneille d'Amérique - 6, Grand Corbeau - 2, Mésange à tête noire - 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanc - 3, Merle d'Amérique - 100, Étourneau sansonnet - 100, Paruline à croupion jaune - 2, Junco ardoisé - 6, Carouge à épaulettes - 100
