With the annual Waterfowl Festival at Presqu'ile Provincial Park still
over two weeks away, Park officials are asking whether the thousands of
ducks that are currently massed in the bay are likely to remain around
for that event. Even if some of them will have moved on, which seems
unlikely, there will certainly be more arriving, and the variety of
species will be that much greater.
Canada Geese, the bane of park authorities in metropolitan areas, have
returned to their nesting sites on Gull Island. Within weeks, we can
expect to see migrating flocks of "real" geese passing over Presqu'ile.
While geese are a nuisance elsewhere, at Presqu'ile, as in the eastern
U.S. where control measures are being contemplated, it is Mute Swans
that create havoc with other waterfowl and their habitat. About 150-200
of these beautiful but unwanted birds are a daily presence in the bay at
this time of year. Undertaking the necessary reduction in their numbers
will not be a popular move. A single Trumpeter Swan was studied
carefully at close range on February 25. In contrast, the male Wood
Duck at the same time and place (the government dock on Bayshore Road)
was too far off to be seen without a spotting scope. Other dabbling
ducks present in small numbers during the past week were Gadwall (every
day), American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
and Green-winged Teal (February 21). Hundreds of Canvasbacks and
Redheads are scattered among the Greater Scaup, which now number well
over ten thousand. No one has yet been able to spot a Ring-necked Duck
in those flocks, but that is surely the next species of waterfowl to
show up. By diligent searching, one can usually find at least one
White-winged Scoter.
There has been only one reported sighting of a Bald Eagle, an immature
bird, during the past week, disappointing those who had begun to hope
that the adults present earlier in the month might stay to nest in the
Park. A Rough-legged Hawk was soaring over "the fingers" on February
25. A Ruffed Grouse was seen flying across the road near the Park store.
Hundreds of Ring-billed Gulls are now on their territories on Gull
Island, even though the amount of bare ground there is still limited.
Glaucous Gull sightings in the bay, often two individuals, have been
almost a daily occurrence this week.
A Northern Flicker was flying towards the lighthouse on February 23.
Both Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings (6 of the former on February 23 along
Paxton Drive) have been in the Park this week. A single Snow Bunting in
breeding plumage flew over Owen Point on February 26. A female
Red-winged Blackbird was at Langdon Avenue on February 26 and a female
Brown-headed Cowbird was on a feeder at 85 Bayshore Road on February 21.
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. Although the channel separating
Gull Island from Owen Point appears to be frozen over, the thickness of
the ice is probably unreliable because of the underlying currents.
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]>
Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving
and joining the list. As well as general information and content
guidelines.
