Moonbeam Spring Sightings

I spent the last week in Moonbeam and witnessed the arrival of warmer weather as well as a few birds.  I also had the opportunity to speak to a group of people at the Fauquier Community Centre about all the wonderful bird species we have in our region.  It was organized by the Fauquier Library and it was a lot of fun to share my passion with people who love birds.

On May 5th, I saw my first American Bittern of the year.  It was hiding really well, as Bitterns always do, in the dried cattails in a small pond.  We heard it as soon as we arrived and surprisingly, 20 minutes later, my dad spotted it.  I was able to get a few photo as well a a short video.  

American Bittern / Butor d'Amérique
Moonbeam, ON (5 May 2016)

I've never posted a video on Blogger before so I'm not sure if this will work.  Here is the American Bittern vocalizing:

Tundra Swans are currently migrating to the arctic tundra to breed.  Even though our region is not far off their migration path, we don't see them too often.  I was happy to observe this one on May 9th.  It seemed to be walking on water; it was standing on a thin layer of ice on the pond.

Tundra Swan / Cygne siffleur
Kapuskasing, ON (9 May 2016)

The White-crowned Sparrows arrived last week.  They are also on their way to their breeding ground up north.

White-crowned Sparrow / Bruant à couronne blanche
Moonbeam, ON (7 May 2016)

The ducks are slowly starting to arrive at the Moonbeam Sewage Lagoons.  The ice only melted around May 1st.  We're not seeing the large number of ducks we usually see at the lagoons, but we're seeing the usual; Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneyes, Scaups, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teals, Mallards…also American Coots and Red-necked Grebes.  And of course, the Northern Shovelers...

Northern Shoveler / Canard souchet
Moonbeam Sewage Lagoons (9 May 2016)

There is a creek on Ste-Marie road where we always see a good number of ducks.  So far, it's been almost empty.  I'm not sure why.

Where are all the ducks?
Moonbeam (10 May 2016)

There has been a few Sandhill Cranes around, but no big flocks like we used to see a few years ago.

Sandhill Crane / Grue du Canada
Moonbeam (10 May 2016)

We were lucky enough to witness 2 Sandhill Cranes doing their courtship display on the 8th of May.  I managed to get this short video.