Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo, ON

09 April, 2026 

     Our good friends Dave and Mary, who live close by, and also have an annual pass to the conservation areas managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority, picked us up for a pleasant stroll around Laurel Creek.

     It was a bright, sunny day, and the sun was warm in shaded areas, but a keen wind blew strongly across the reservoir.

     Most of the birds on the water were quite far out, close to the far shore in many instances, including this Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) about to disappear from view.

     Several Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) were visible, some approaching close enough for a picture.

     One male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) was equally obliging: what a splendid little chap he is!

     A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) strolled along ahead of us.

     The highlight for the day turned out to be unrelated to birds. The ground was soggy, quite waterlogged in spots, and Miriam bushwhacked around a particularly wet area and discovered the emergence of Common Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) from a hibernaculum.

     Winter dormancy for snakes, called brumation, takes place about a metre underground, below the frost line, where the temperature is maintained above 0°C. In spring, in response to warming ambient temperatures the garter snakes emerge, with mating as first priority.

     Some hiburnacula have become renowned for the sheer number of snakes that emerge, and a tourist industry has developed around them. The small town of Narcisse, Manitoba, where it is estimated that around 70,000 snakes leave their underground quarters in late April or May, experiences a major economic boom thanks to the humble snake.

     It is difficult to say how many snakes we saw; at one point we were able to count seven, but it's quite possible that there were a dozen or more, since they were slithering in and out of dense vegetation.

     No matter the number, it was a great privilege to witness this event.

     Being in the right place at the right time assumed a whole new meaning!
     Many spring ephemerals are starting to poke up through the ground, and soon the woodlands will be a riot of colour. In the meantime, Colt's-Foot (Tussilago farfara) was the only flower we saw.

     What a brilliant, uplifting little flower it is.

     We saw our first Narrow-headed Marsh Fly (Helophilus fasciatus) of the season.

     This common species of hoverfly is a crucial wetland pollinator and was close to suitable habitat. It seemed a little lethargic, probably due to the relatively cool temperature.

     The etymology of the scientific name is a classic illustration of the sheer perfection of nomenclature - Greek helos - marsh, philus - loving, fasciatus - striped.

     As we moved on a passel of Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) reminded that we are birders first and foremost, and Mary had brought sunflower seeds to encourage them to visit.

     A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) was singing lustily in a determined effort to coax a female to his side.

     Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are winter residents in southern Ontario, and we will not be seeing them much longer.

     We will look forward to welcoming them back in the fall.

     A second male cardinal appeared on the scene, crest erect, and we thought there might be trouble.

     Any hostility was settled without physical contact, however.

     Would that humans were so smart.

     We were only out for a couple of hours, but what a fine time we had. We'll have to do it again soon.