NUNS ISLAND |
One of my favorite places for observing nature and taking pictures is definitely Nuns' Island.
It used to be one of the best locations for local bird watchers. Unfortunately, despite many
protests against, the city of Verdun decided to start urbanization of only-unsettled south-west
end of the island. The area of an old mature forest has been reduced by 50% at least, and number
of new residencies has been built up instead. One more high-storey building was erected in close
proximity of the forest and the urbanization continues. The best places for watching owls in
winter are gone forever. I would like to believe that it will stop soon but I am skeptic.
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1. Map of Nuns' Island. The light-green area shows the unsettled part of the island.
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It is no longer what it used to be, but still, since it is only 15 minutes by bus from downtown
Montreal (where I live) I go there relatively often. Even though it is often sad to watch how
construction workers cut old trees, how heavy trucks run through a beautiful group of Trout
Lilly flowers, how ducks are landing in excavations full of water, I think that it is also a
good opportunity to learn something. The density of the animals in the wood becomes larger and
larger, the interactions between the animals becomes stronger and stronger, some of them are
forced to leave or find another suitable place for breeding, some of them have to develop new
strategies to survive, etc.
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2. The view of the lake and the old forest on Nuns' Island. |
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3. The closer view on the reeds - a nesting habitat of many species. |
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4. Early spring and one of numerous paths inside the old forest. |
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5. One of many information panels which are installed along the paths in the forest. |
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For a patient photographer there are still plenty of opportunities. The lake is still full of
ducks, especially during migration. Pied-billed Grebes still nest in the reeds of the lake
together with a number of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. American Kestrel nests
in one of several bird houses next to the pond. The pond is full of fish, and if you are lucky
you can still spot Osprey feeding on a goldfish. If you are more lucky or if you have good
hearing you can hear Least Bittern calling from the reeds. There is also a pair of beavers
on the pond and they share it with at least one pair of muskrats.
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6. The call of displaying male of Red-winged Blackbird is unmistakable and easy to remember.
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7. One of many nests in the colony of Red-winged Blackbirds on the lake. |
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8.Typical pose of displaying Pied-billed Grebe. There are at least 3 pairs nesting on the lake.
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9. The nest of Pied-billed Grebe at the edge of the reeds on the lake at Nuns' Island.
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During spring bird migration, Nun's Island is still one of the best places around. Many first
warblers are reported and many rarities too. Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Blue Warblers
and Yellowthroats are common. Magnolia, Palm, Blackpoll, Mourning and many others are not rare.
There are many nesting species too. One or two pairs of Caroline Wren - very rare in Quebec -
are reported every year from here during nesting season. There are lot's of old trees with
cavities and therefore lot's of cavity nesters. Orioles, Flycatchers, Finches, Sparrows,
Cardinals, Chickadees, Tree Creepers, and many Woodpeckers nest here every year.
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10. During winter White-breasted Nuthatches become very tame and can be hand-fed! |
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11. In the spring you can hear loud callings of Common Flickers, which nest at the lake. |
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Still, if you are very lucky, you can find an owl. It seems that there are still a few pairs of
Screech Owl, may be still some Saw-whet Owls. Great-horned Owl visits sometimes. But the times,
when you could find several species of owls in one day are gone, however. Here is the list of
Owls just I have seen myself there until now: Screech Owl, Saw-whet Owl, Barred Owl, Great-horned
Owl, Long-Eared Owl, and Boreal Owl.
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12. There are many cavities in the forest and if you are lucky you can still find a Screech Owl. |
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13. This is the only Saw-whet Owl I saw in 2002. Because of the urbanization their numbers reduced
dramatically. |
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During long and cold winter many birds reside, including Tree Sparrows, Cardinals, and of course
both Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, American
Crows and others.
But not only birds attracts me. In the forest, under many of fallen trees and logs you can find
several species of salamanders, and snakes, although I have seen only Eastern Newt and Garter
Snake. But don't worry, I will continue in searching. In the lake there are Eastern Painted
Turtles and from frogs at least Bullfrogs and Green Frogs.
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14. Green Frogs can be found in the pools all over the island. |
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15. The portrait of the Common Garter Snake from the forest on Nuns' Island. |
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Of course such a density of birds and other animals attracts Raccoons, and there are several
families successfully raising youngs in the wood
From flowers in April you can find here Skunk Cabbage, Coltsfoot, Bloodroot, Dutchman’s’
Breeches, Trillium and Trout Lily. Later in spring Jack-in-a-pulpit is common and if you are
lucky you can find also Canada Lily.
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16. In April beautiful Red Trilliums bloom together with several other spring species. |
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17. The closer look on the flower of Jack-in-a-Pulpit - an exotic spring flower which blooms
in May. |
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If you have more time, you can go out of the wood and visit fields of grass and scattered trees,
where Common Snipes display in spring and where Northern Harriers hunt occasionally. You can walk
along the shore and watch water birds - Widgeons, Gulls, Cormorants, and Mallards are the most
common. Along the sidewalks Song Sparrows and Yellow Warblers nest. There are also several pairs
of Killdeers and Spotted Sandpipers around and I saw also some Gray Partridges there. And if you
go to the very south-west point of the island and if you have a good telescope you can watch colony
of Great Blue Herons on the Heron Island.
As you see, you don't have to go far to find good photographic opportunities. May be there are
lot's of them right in front of your window, in the closeby city park, or just 15 minutes by bus,
like in my case. So wake up early, keep your eyes wide open, listen and I am sure that you will
not regret.
Note: All photographs in this article have been taken at Nuns' Island by the author.
Montreal; May 5, 2003
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