The big push has finally arrived. We have entered the peak season for waterfowl viewing with thousands of geese and ducks gathering along lakes and rivers. Dabblers like Mallards, Blacks and teal tip upside down or skim the surface of shallow water to feed. They are usually found in marshes or close to shore. Divers like Scaup, Long-tailed, Goldeneye and Redheads dive in deep water for mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants. At times they can be seen in large flocks.
Then there are the geese. We all know Canada Geese and in Eastern Ontario there are flocks of Snow Geese as well. Not to be forgotten are the swans. The introduced Mute Swans winter along the lower Great Lakes while migratory Tundra Swans depart as winter sets in. Many of the uncommon Trumpeter Swans can brave the winter along western Lake Ontario. This is the best time to see large numbers of waterfowl.
Happy Birding!
Brian Morin
Publisher of Ontario Birding News
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