We should have gone for the Oriole!

Sunday 6th January 2007

Following an indifferent set of reports on the Bullock's Oriole near Montmagny, east of Quebec City, we decided not to make the trip of about 4.5 hours and to try Bois Papineau on Laval for owls etc... Bad choice.


Following the soggy Saturday, Sunday was bright but much colder. We birded the nice little reserve at Bois Papineau but only added Common Redpoll to the year list although the White-breasted Nuthatches were fun to watch. Perhaps there were owls north of the railway tracks but the paths leading there were not so good, I wish they'd put a boardwalk in.

After messing about on Laval, which I always find a claustrophobic sort of place to drive around, we made our way onto I'le Perrot and saw a Cackling Goose, both scaup and not a great deal else. Meanwhile in a land far far away, the Bullock's Oriole showed a few times and even ended up on one for the free video sites. Further along the St-Lawrence there would have been more year ticks, Dovekies, Common Eider etc. If the oriole sticks we will go that way next week, maybe..

The only photos I took on the Sunday were of the noisy White-breasted Nuthatches so here they are.