Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday April 9

BPQ field trip to Parc-Nature Cap-St-Jacques attracted 20 participants, a good turn-out considering it was not the warm early spring day most people were hoping for. But the sun was shining in a bright blue sky, winds were light by C.St. J. standards, and the temperature gradually climbed to the freezing point. Water levels were very high and necessitated some detours from our regular itinerary at this park.

Our total of 41 species observed included many of the ones we would normally associate with mid-winter. Purple Finches, Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins continued their good showing of the past few weeks. We also had good looks at Bohemian Waxwings which should be leaving for their north/western summer homes soon. (One Cedar Waxwing was present for good measure). Among other species seen or heard were many singing Song Sparrows, a close soaring Common Raven, a distant Red-tailed Hawk being harassed by a very determined crow to high altitudes, a Great Egret flyby, several Killdeer wondering why their fields were still frozen, and a few Fox Sparrows who entertained us with their sweet songs but preferred to cloak themselves in deep brush rather than be seen clearly.

Waterfowl were in low numbers most probably because of the high water levels and fast current in the river.

As usual, the good company made up for any shortfalls in the avian sightings department. Thanks to everyone. - Wayne Grubert

Here is our list of 41 species: Canada Goose - 40, Wood Duck - 6, Mallard - 10, Ring-necked Duck - 12, Bufflehead - 3, Common Goldeneye - 60, Common Merganser - 4, Great Blue Heron - 1, Great Egret - 1, Red-tailed Hawk - 1, Merlin - 1, Killdeer - 6, Ring-billed Gull - 10, Mourning Dove - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 4, Hairy Woodpecker - 4, Northern Flicker - 1, Pileated Woodpecker - 1, Eastern Phoebe - 4, Blue Jay - 2, American Crow - 12, Common Raven - 1, Black-capped Chickadee - 15, White-breasted Nuthatch - 8, Brown Creeper - 2, American Robin - 20, European Starling - 20, Bohemian Waxwing - 80, Cedar Waxwing - 1, American Tree Sparrow - 5, Fox Sparrow - 3 Song Sparrow - 40, Dark-eyed Junco - 8, Northern Cardinal - 8, Red-winged Blackbird - 12, Common Grackle - 12, Brown-headed Cowbirds - 15, Purple Finch - 60, Common Redpoll - 100, Pine Siskin - 10, American Goldfinch - 20

Bernache du Canada - 40, Carnaed branchu - 6, Canard colvert - 10, Fuligule à collier - 12, Petit garrot - 3, Garrot à oeil d'or - 60, Grand harle - 4, Grand héron - 1, Grande aigrette - 1, Buse à queue rousse - 1, Faucon émerillon - 1, Pluvier kildir - 6, Goéland à bec cerclé - 10, Touterelle triste - 1, Pic mineur - 4, Pic chevelu - 4, Pic flabouant - 1, Grand pic - 1, Moucherolle phébi - 4, Geai Bleu - 2, Corneille d'Amérique - 12, Grand Corbeau - 1, Mésange à tête noire - 15, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 8, Grimpereau brun - 2, Merle d'Amérique - 20, étourneau sansonnet - 20, Jaseur boréal - 80, Jaseur d'Amérique - 1, Bruant Hudsonien - 5, Bruant fauve - 3, Bruant chanteur - 40, Junco ardoisé - 8, Cardinal rouge - 8, Carouge à épaulettes - 12, Quiscale bronzé - 12, Vacher à tête brune  - 15, Roselin pourpré - 60, Sizerin flammé - 100, Tarin des pins - 10 , Chardonneret jaune - 20