Northern Shrike and the Meech Valley
Last week, I was out walking with my dad in the Meech Valley of Gatineau Park. Being early April, we weren’t expecting to see too many different species yet but were surprised with what we found. Our first sighting was an Eastern Phoebe, a species we are very fond of as they nest at our cottage every year.
Eastern Phoebe - Meech Valley, Gatineau Park
We walked from Gatineau Park’s P16 along Cross Loop road towards P15. Crossing Meech Creek and the covered bridge. Besides hearing the calls of the Red-Winged Blackbirds we didn’t see much along this first stretch of road. Later in the year though, the covered bridge is teeming with swallows raising their young.
As you walk along Cross Loop road, keep an eye out for the historical signs along the way that explain the history of the valley and the first settlers who’s foundations of their houses and barns you can still see to this day. For more information on the history and self-guided walk, check out this link.
The Meech Valley and Meech Creek Covered Bridge - built in just two weeks back in 1932.
Meech Creek - high water levels at this time of year.
After crossing the covered bridge, my dad and I heard a strange bird call that we were unfamiliar with. Using the Merlin ID app, we were excited to see that it was a Northern Shrike - a species both of us have only seen once or twice before. After looking all around, we realized it was sitting at the very top of a tree almost directly over us. I managed to sneak to the side in one of the adjacent fields to get some shots of it.
Northern Shrike with the setting sun - Meech Valley, Gatineau Park
Northern Shrike - Gatineau Park.
After watching it for a few minutes, it took off and flew away. Hard to believe that such a cute looking bird has the nickname of “the butcherbird” thanks to how it impales it’s prey (such as mice and other smaller birds) on thorns and sticks in order to save some of the carcass to eat later.
We continued walking along Cross Loop until reaching the Baldwin Cemetery as it began to get dark. We ended up seeing a handful of Eastern Bluebirds as well which were a welcome sign of Spring.
Highly recommend this walk for any nature and history lovers!
Eastern Bluebird - Meech Valley, Gatineau Park.
The iconic elm tree that stands watch over the Meech Valley.
