It is remarkable how quickly conditions can change at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Whereas the weekend saw Presqu'ile Bay almost completely frozen over for several consecutive days, it is now open as far inland as Salt Point, and both birds and birders have begun to re-appear after an absence that seldom occurs here.
The concentration of waterfowl at Salt Point on February 20 contained the following species of interest: 3 Canada Geese, 7 Tundra Swans, a male Gadwall (the first of that species to be seen at Presqu'ile since December), 2 Canvasbacks (the first in eleven days), 400 Redheads, 5 White-winged Scoters. Watching over them were three Bald Eagles (two adults in the nearby trees and an immature on the ice margin). A Merlin seen near the Park entrance on February 16 was the first in several months. Apart from the wintering Song Sparrow (at 83/85 Bayshore Road), White-throated Sparrow (at 186 Bayshore Road), and Common Grackles (at both of those locations), there have been no unusual passerine birds reported during the past week. If southerly winds persist, that can change as the first spring migrants begin to appear. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. The channel separating Gull Island from the mainland has almost disappeared, making the island almost a peninsula. The channel is only a few metres wide and about 10-15 centimetres deep. However, when the channel between the island and Owen Point is frozen, as it has been recently, the ice may be unsafe to walk on without breaking through. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, R.R. #4, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Fred Helleiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
