When Miles and I visited the East coast of Canada this spring, we stumbled upon some of the best bird viewing that North America has to offer. We went on as many walks/hikes as possible around the Southern most point in Canada (see all posts about this trip here), but none was as exciting as Hillman Marsh Conservation Area. Of the tourist hiking and birding attractions in the area, Hillman Marsh is definitely on the main attraction list — but is just out of the way enough and just wild enough to be an exotic location. For one thing, the walk is much longer than typical tourist-frequented walks (it is more of a brisk hike), and despite the wide lawn-like walk, Hillman Marsh is definitely more wild than the trails of Point Pelee (don’t let the manicured grass of Hillman Marsh deceive you — geese poop, evicerated muskrat carcasses, and sneaky little dog ticks abound!). We went several times. The first time, it was overcast and chilly:
{ Beaver territory }
{ A culprit! Probably a young one, as this little guy was not camera-shy }
{ A chilly day at Hillman Marsh }
The other three times we visited Hillman’s Marsh, it was hot and sunny out. The last time, there was also a special birding event, where you could meet rescued birds of prey, and watch experts tag migratory songbirds.
{ Songbird tagging in process }
{ Tagging a Warbler requires a steady hand, and a good eye }
{ Onward to the Marsh walk }
{ The second it gets warm at Hillman’s Marsh, the toads and frogs burst into mating season rituals }
{ A frog and a toad }
{ A male toad calling for a mate }
{ Frog Party @ the algae burst! }
{ My mother and Miles entering the Marsh trail }
{ A yellow warbler }
{ Miles spotted a muskrat that was crossing the trail }
{ Miles tried to be diligent, but somehow walked RIGHT over a snake! }
{ A snake in the throes of molting his/her skin }
{ A blackbird }
{ Swans }
{ Beavers }
{ A cardinal }
{ I must have an eye for snakes — I spotted another snake sunning his/herself }
{ Last year Miles had the opportunity of a lifetime of chasing hundreds of Canadian Geese — he now has a firm eye on them! }
{ A swan flying from above – did you know swans are the largest members of the waterfowl family? }
{ Miles spotted what I call “turtle lane” first… }
{ To the untrained eye, this is just some random sticks in shallow water. Look closer! }
{ Turtle gathering! }
{ I like this turtle’s flair }
{ Big & Little }
{ Panorama of the park entrance – (click here for high res version) }
{ The birding lookout }
