Sparroworks

Morgan Arboretum is the largest arboretum in Canada and we are fortunate that it lies on the west island of Montreal. It is owned by McGill University. Parts are off-limits as they are used for research projects but the bulk of it is open to visitors. This is a truly marvellous birding site with a rich avifauna - in spring and fall it lies right under one of the main migratory flyways in the region. The arboretum has it's own website at www.morganarboretum.org which includes a very helpful description of the birding to be enjoyed there so we won't waste space by repeating that information here.

A selection of "virtual trails" is being prepared by the arboretum's webmaster and links to them can be found on their own website (link above). One in particular is of interest to birders, being a guided birding trail that you might wish to try out if unfamiliar with the site. These virtual walks are in the form of picture galleries with captions taking you step by step around various trails within the arboretum - you can proceed picture by picture or sit back and let them unfold in sequence automatically, simply click the appropriate buttons on the screen (top right of image pages). 

A detailed report of the birds to be seen at the arboretum with an up to date checklist and maps etc can be downloaded from the arboretum's own website.

Detailed checklists of the 180+ species of birds that can be observed in the arboretum are available (see links to the right).

The arboretum is open all year round and has several kilometers of trails and a fascinating mix of habitats. In the winter there are extensive, groomed cross-country ski trails. Entrance is $5 but is free to members of the Morgan Arboretum Association - the "Friends"

Meanwhile, the Montreal Bird Observatory operates on the reserved research area of Stoneycroft Pond immediately adjacent to the public access sector of the arboretum - their website is well worth a visit.

Directions - from Montreal take the Transcanada (Autoroute 40) westwards in the direction of Ottawa. Take the Morgan exit north and turn left onto Chemin Ste-Mariw which parallels the highway. Continue about 3km until you see the entrance to the arboretum on your right. Alternatively, exit at the next junction signposted Ile Perrot and Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue - follow the signs up the hill for Chemin Ste-Marie and you will find the arboretum on your left north of the highway. if you cross the bridge off the island, turn around and try again.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

The following descriptive text is taken from the arboretum's website ...

In the colder season, the Arboretum attracts winter finches, crossbills, the occasional northern woodpecker and raptors such as the Northern Goshawk. In fall, the Arboretum is a good vantage point from which to view the hawk migration. Spring migrants, particularly warblers, are plentiful although they are more spread out and harder to find than in migrant traps like Summit Park.

The forest has been said to be one of the most diverse in southwestern Quebec in terms of tree species and is also the largest on the Island of Montreal. It hosts such forest-nesting species as Red-shouldered Hawk, Barred Owl, Scarlet Tanager, Pileated Woodpecker, Philadelphia Vireo and Ovenbird.

At least four species of owls Great Horned, Northern Saw-whet, Barred and Eastern Screech-Owlhave bred here and Great Gray and Boreal Owls have been found here in winter. The extensive evergreen plantations attract species with a more boreal affinity.

Entrance and First Parking Lot

The fields to your left and right after you turn onto Chemin des Pins may contain Horned Larks, American Pipits and Snow Buntings in the right season. Check the tall trees for a perched Northern Shrike, Red-tailed Hawk or other raptor. A few years ago, a Red-headed Woodpecker spent part of the winter in the area around the farm pond on the left. Cliff Swallows nest on the Doppler radar tower dome.

After you pass the gatehouse, the field to your left after the first parking lot is a good place to see soaring Turkey Vultures, a Coopers or Sharp-shinned hawk flying through the tops of the trees, or a speeding Merlin or Peregrine Falcon.

Conservation Centre

The feeders, maintained in fall, winter and spring, attract the usual feeder birds and occasionally Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Check out the conifers in winter for overwintering passerines such as American Robins and for owls.

Main Road (Orange Trail)

A variety of forest birds can be seen along the trail at all times of year. In summer, breeding forest birds include Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green and Blackburnian warblers, Hermit and Wood thrushes, Brown Creeper, Veery, Ovenbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Pileated Woodpecker. Owls can sometimes be seen swooping through the woods or heard calling. The pond in the northwestern corner is a particularly good place for migrants in spring and fall.

Blossom Corner

When you take the Main Road (Orange Trail) counterclockwise, this is the first clearing on the left. It has flowering fruit trees, gardens and some well-placed benches to bird from. Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings are attracted to the numerous fruit trees in winter. White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos have overwintered in the cedars, thanks to the feeders nearby. In spring, check out the quarry pond for Wood Ducks. Eastern Screech-Owls have been found in this area. The woods between Blossom Corner and the Chalet Pruche are excellent for migrating passerines.

Chalet Pruche and Larch Plantations

Continuing counterclockwise along the Main Road, you will come to the larch plantations and Chalet Pruche, just behind. The tall larches along the main road are often filled with a variety of migrating warblers in spring. Eastern Towhee has been spotted here, and Great Horned Owls have nested in the larches north of the Chalet Pruche.

The edge habitat in the field east of the Chalet Pruche is a reliable spot for breeding Indigo Buntings.

Bobolink and AlfalfaFields

Further along the Main Road in the same direction is the Bobolink field, which has breeding Bobolinks in summer.

The Alfalfa field is just to the east of Bobolink field. Water collects here in spring, attracting ducks such as Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck and the occasional yellowlegs or other shorebird. Savannah Sparrows breed here. It may also contain a perched Northern Goshawk, an overflying Common Raven or Common Nighthawk, or browsing White-tailed Deer.

Pullins Pasture

Pullins Pasture, an overgrown field with many fruiting shrubs and trees, has an interior trail (an extension of the Yellow Trail) that loops 2 km around the field and two paths on either side extending from the Main Road. Pullins Pasture can be reached by taking either one of these paths and then by cutting into the pasture itself.

Pullins Pasture is good at all times of the year, but requires skis in winter. In summer, breeding species include the House Wren (many pairs); Northern Cardinal; Alder Flycatcher; Yellow, Chestnut-sided and Black-and-white warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Kingbird and Gray Catbird. Mourning Warblers have also nested here.

In fall, the fruiting trees, shrubs and vines and weed seeds attract throngs of American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, migrating sparrows and other species, which in turn provide fodder for bird-eating hawks, including Merlin and Sharp-shinned and Coopers hawks. A particularly good vantage point is the place where the Yellow Trail cuts into the middle of the Pasture and then loops around back to the edge.

Other species that have been seen here include Ruffed Grouse, Black-billed Cuckoo, Black-backed Woodpecker, Evening Grosbeak, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Eastern Bluebird, the various swallows and American Woodcock

Yellow Trail, Red Trail and Evergreen Plantations

In winter, the evergreen plantations, just south of the Main Road and accessible by the Yellow Trail from the dog parking lot, are a good spot to search for Pine Grosbeaks, Bohemian Waxwings, Brown Creepers, crossbills and northern woodpeckers. Golden-crowned Kinglets, which breed in the plantations in summer, overwinter here regularly. Red-breasted Nuthatches do the same. Part of the plantations can also be accessed via the Red Trail.

The above text was written by Bird Protection Quebec member , Betsy McFarlane, who visits the arboretum almost every day of the year to watch the birds.

If you are interested in birds and would like to know about the PQSPB (Province of Quebec Society for the Protection of Birds) visit their web site at www.birdprotectionquebec.org or e-mail them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .