Again during the past week at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, there have
been eastern, western, northern, and southern birds in addition to those
that are more normal for this location.
A single Red-throated Loon was swimming off High Bluff Island on
November 16, and several were seen in Popham Bay on the following day.
A Red-necked Grebe was also in Popham Bay off beach 1 on November 17 and 18.
Five Tundra Swans flew over Owen Point on November 14, and four were
swimming in Presqu'ile Bay just outside the Park on the next day. King
Eiders are normally found on the east coast, but one was seen off beach
1 on November 17. The flock of Black Scoters in Popham Bay had grown to
about 20 by November 12, but none has been reported since November 16.
Three Hooded Mergansers that were in the marsh on November 15 have also
not been seen since.
There have been no reports of the Merlin that was frequenting Gull
Island during the past week. In fact, the only hawk reported in the
Park during the week was a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Four Sandhill Cranes, not often seen this far east, flew over the Owen
Point trail parking lot at dusk on November 13 and were followed by car
until they were out of sight near the Park gate. The only shorebirds
left at Presqu'ile are two Black-bellied Plovers and an American
Golden-Plover that have been present since at least November 14 and were
still present on November 18. The latter represents one of the latest
dates for that species at Presqu'ile. These birds have been seen both
at Owen Point and on Gull Island.
With patience and good optics, one can usually find at least one Little
Gull these days, commonly consorting with Bonaparte's Gulls. As many as
three were seen on November 17. Unquestionably, the bird of the week
was a Black-legged Kittiwake (another east coast bird) that was with the
Bonaparte's Gulls off beach 1 on November 17 and 18 and will perhaps
stay around as long as the swarm of Bonaparte's Gulls remains. Few gull
sightings could eclipse that one for excitement, but birders should
nevertheless be on the lookout for even rarer gulls. There is a remote
possibility that a Sabine's Gull or even a Ross's Gull might also turn up.
Many park visitors this week have been pleased to have the opportunity
to see a Snowy Owl, an infrequent visitor from the north. As many as
three of these birds have been in view at the same time, either on the
beach or on one of the offshore islands. One of the resident Barred
Owls put in an appearance on the roadside near Jobes' Woods earlier in
the week.
On November 17, a Common Raven could be heard giving two of its
distinctive calls near the lighthouse, but it remained out of sight. At
the same time as that more northern bird was calling in the background,
a more southern bird, a Tufted Titmouse, was visiting the feeder at 191
Bayshore Road. It has been making much more frequent visits to that
feeder and the ones at 186 Bayshore Road in recent days and appears to
have settled in for a long stay.
A White-throated Sparrow spent two days (November 13 and 14) at 186
Bayshore Road, and a Common Grackle has been there since November 16.
Two observers found a Common Redpoll at Owen Point on November 16, the
first of that species to appear this winter.
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. Visitors to Gull Island should be
prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there is often a swift
current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It should also be noted
that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and
part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days.
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.
