Fauna Flora Photography

Parc de la Frayère, Boucherville

A natural park renown for birdwatching, located along Saint Lawrence River, with several ponds, small forest and forest clearing. The place is particular interesting for photographers interested in birds.

How to Get Here

It is located North of Boucherville and a hassle to get there by public transportation. There is a bus line (RTL #81) that may drop you or pick you up a mile South, near the park. Alternatively, you have to access the park by bike or by car.

Google Map

Map Location of Parc de la Frayère

Based on © OpenStreetMap

Photography Tips

There are two main places for photography. One is a small platform on the large pond where you can observe and photography different waterfowl species, including Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) with some luck. The other spot is a small bridge over a creek which connects the two smaller ponds.

The park is populated with different species. Unfortunately, it seems that the large pond doesn't have consistent flowing water through and in consequence not a healthy fish population. Many birds species which feed on fishes may have abandon the place.

For beautiful shots of different animals you will need a large lens. At least 400mm or even a 600mm as you are not really able to approach close. Because of the nature park characteristic of this place, there are great opportunities for macro photography of flowers and critters within the different habitats available in this park.

What to See Here

With the different ecosystems, swamp, pond, river, prairies and forest, a good place to watch and photograph many different bird species. With a bit of luck you may also see turtles and American Mink (Neovison vison). Due to its remote location less populated and therefore a good place to emerge in nature.

SpeciesSpringSummerFallWinter
American Bullfrog (Rana Catesbeiana) - x - -
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) x - - x
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) x - - -
American Mink (Neovison vison) x - - -
American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) x - - -
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) x x - -
American Wigeon (Anas americana) x - - -
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) x - - -
Birds-Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) - x - -
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) x - - -
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) - x - -
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) x - - -
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) x - - -
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) - x - -
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) x x - x
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) x - - -
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) x - - x
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) x - - -
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) x - - x
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) x - - -
Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) - x - -
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) x - - -
Double-Crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) x - - -
Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) x - - -
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) x - - -
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) x - - -
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) x x - -
Great Egret (Ardea alba) - x - -
Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) - x - -
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) x - - -
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) - - - x
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) x - - -
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) x - - -
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) x - - x
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) - x - -
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) x - - -
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) x - - -
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) x x - -
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) x - - -
Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) - x - -
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) x - - -
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) - x - -
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) x x - -
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) x - - x
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) x - - -
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) x x - -
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) x x - -
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) x x - -
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) x - - -
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) x - - -

When specific species have been observed, identified, and recorded in this park.

Photos of Parc de la Frayère

Parc de la Frayère - Parc de la Frayère - 2022-07-30
Parc de la Frayère - Parc de la Frayère - 2017-06-10

References


Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.