I have been watching spring
arrive in Moonbeam since the 18th of April.
Although birding is not the main reason I've been spending a few weeks
here, I have had the chance to go to many of my favorite spots to witness the
arrivals of spring birds. One my
favorite spots is the Moonbeam Sewage Lagoons, which never fails to attract
colorful spring migrants. Last year, on
May 17 2014, I got to see my first Wilson's Phalarope here. This year, on the evening of May 2nd, I got
to observe my first Eurasian Wigeon.
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| Eurasian Wigeon / Canard Siffleur Moonbeam Sewage Lagoons (May 2, 2015) |
We went to check the
lagoon the next morning at 7am and it was still there.
On May 4th, we went
for a tour of the rural roads south of Moonbeam to look for birds. There are many lakes, fields and ponds along
these rural roads where we can see spring migration unfold. In particular, I love stopping at 2 creeks;
one on St-Jean rd. and one on St-Marie rd.
We stopped at the creek on St-Jean Rd first; this gorgeous creek
actually surrounds a small horse farm. In spring, the creek
becomes very wide and it's a favorite stopover for many waterfowl and
shorebirds. As soon as we arrived, I
couldn't believe what I was seeing; the Eurasian Wigeon was there!
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| Eurasian Wigeon and Killdeer Moonbeam - St-Jean Road (May 4, 2015) |
It's certainly the same bird I saw at
the Moonbeam Sewage Lagoon on the evening of May 2nd and on the morning of May
3rd. The creek is exactly 5.6 km from
the lagoon (a straight 5.6 km as the Wigeon flies!) Also in the creek near the Eurasian Wigeon were
2 American Wigeons, some Green-winged Teals, Mallards ...
and a Killdeer.
We saw the Eurasian
Wigeon again at the Moonbeam Sewage Lagoon on the afternoon of May 8. I'm not sure how long it plans to stay in the area. I'm leaving Moonbeam
today and I won't be back until May 23.
But I might just go for one last stroll at the lagoon before I leave.
Here are some other spring arrivals I observed around the Moonbeam area.
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| Northern Shoveler / Canard souchet Moonbeam Sewage Lagoons (May 2015) |
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| Lapland Longspur / Plectrophane lapon Moonbeam Sewage Lagoons (May 2015) |
Spring has been great so far… and the best part is, it's not over!
Sounds like you're having fun! Being around a lagoon as it opens up is ideal for waterfowl sightings. It's nice when 'real' life and birding life line up!
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