Montreal Birding – 2014 Spring Bird Migration Update

A late start for the 2014 Spring Bird Migration. It’s been just over a week since Canada geese have started pouring in large flocks. This is almost a month later than previous years and the weather conditions were nothing to brag about. Although many of the geese and ducks arrived along the St Lawrence Seaway, they have now started to make their way along the Montreal (mostly frozen) back river.

Canada Goose Landing – Ile de la Visitation Nature Park

The Canada Geese still prefer the South Shore areas as it’s easier to feed in the fields in nearby rural areas. The North shore is still packed in ice even after some warm sunny days and a good dose of rain. Ice breakers are still having to manage the ice along the rivers. Most of the East end of Montreal has accumulated ice along the entire back river.

Hydro Quebec Ice Breaker

Even with all the the ice, Wood Ducks have managed to find a small waterway inside the the Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park. For now they call it home and males are already showing aggressive territorial behavior.

Territorial Wood Ducks – Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park

A great deal of little ducks are progressively migrating through the region. Unfortunately the small lakes and ponds are still frozen. Along the rivers, the ice still keeps them too far from the banks to properly photograph them. They’re still a great deal of fun to observe.

Hooded Merganser and Bufflehead – Ile-de-la-Visitation

Golden-crowned Kinglets have also started to appear in larger groups. A few individuals had been seen late winter at Bois Papineau. They are now present in larger numbers in wooded areas along the South Shore.

Golden-crowned Kinglet – by Monique Coulombe

Today’s temperatures are suppose to hit the high teens. The Southern winds should also promote migration making the next few days much more interesting as far as species and photo opportunities. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Today was suppose to be SUNNY, yet it got cloudy before 10 AM.