Mild weather has made for pleasant birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
for the past week, and has resulted in a steady influx of waterfowl and
other spring birds.
The first migrant flocks of Canada Geese passed over the Park on March
10, and a number of flocks followed on the next morning. In the past,
close examination of such flocks has sometimes revealed one or more Snow
Geese among them. Although as many as 10,000 ducks can usually be
spotted along the north shore of Presqu'ile Bay, they are too far away
to allow for a positive identification, even with a spotting scope.
Those within range during the past week have been the following (numbers
are conservative estimates):
Gadwall 20
American Wigeon 6
American Black Duck 5
Mallard 30
Northern Pintail 2
Canvasback 150
Redhead 200
Ring-necked Duck 50
Greater Scaup 4,000
Lesser Scaup 1
Long-tailed Duck 500
Bufflehead 60
Common Goldeneye 70
Hooded Merganser 7
Common Merganser 100
In addition, some White-winged Scoters were reported at Owen Point, and
up to three American Coots have been seen almost every day between Salt
Point and the calf pasture.
At dusk on March 9, an American Woodcock flew across the road a short
distance inside the Park gates.
Glaucous Gulls have been seen recently both in Presqu'ile Bay and at
Owen Point.
Among land birds, the big change from a week ago is the abundance of
American Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles. A Song
Sparrow living up to its name on March 10 was also the first of its
species exhibiting this behaviour this year.
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. Access to the offshore islands is restricted at this time of
year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there.
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.
