Once again, thanks to e-bird, I was able to find a wonderful marsh about a 20 minute drive from Gatineau. This marsh has acres of field and pond habitat to explore without anyone else in sight.
In a clump of sedges I could hear a familiar call which Sibley Birds describes as “a complex gurgling, rattling or bubbling trill on one pitch tik k jijijijijiji-jrr or jeer jr-gli-gli-gli-gli-gli-jrr.” The call of the Marsh Wren. I have heard it 100’s of times but rarely seen it for long.
I decided to stand in one spot for as long as it took in order to see the singer (and have the insect bites to prove it).
Eventually the little (5 inches) bird appeared with its up-bent tail, rufous-brown wings and prominent white eyebrows.
Another often heard but seldom seen bird is the Swamp Sparrow. This particularly athletic one came near:
The Green Heron is one of the more stylish marsh frequenters:
Other birds:
Just as I was leaving, a Black Tern flew by.
Perhaps, one day, I’ll photograph one.
NATURE POETRY
Summer Haiku
summer, marsh concert
wind blows reeds
herons, bullfrogs’ songs – written in 2020 by Regina
Miles Hearn