Waterfowl

Maxwell Lake and the beaver ponds of Happy Creek are used as stopovers for a wide variety of migrating waterfowl. Peak numbers occur in May and early June.

Waterfowl include ducks, geese, and swans. Adaptations for life on water include webbed feet, waterproof plumage, and sensitive bills that can locate food by touch. Most male waterfowl have colourful plumage because the female selects the mate, and a male with a great suit of feathers has a better chance of being selected. Females must incubate eggs and usually have cryptic colours which help them hide from predators.

Did you know?

• Every year a few broods of ring-necked and mallard ducklings appear on Maxwell Lake with their mothers in early July. Nesting boxes placed in Spring 2010 may lead to bufflehead and goldeneye broods in future years.