This week's report is dedicated to those (misguided?) birders who
arbitrarily decide that winter begins on December 1 and proceed to
compile their personal lists of birds that they are seeing this
"winter", even though a substantial number of the birds that are present
today at Presqu'ile Provincial Park will almost certainly have moved
further south by December 21. The tradition of winter listing dates
back several decades, even though there is no rationale for beginning it
when December begins. Certainly, the sighting of a live American toad
on the Owen Point trail on November 27 calls into question the validity
of establishing such an early date for the beginning of winter.
Two Red-throated Loons were present on November 26 and one was visible
from Owen Point as recently as November 30. A number of people have
seen a Common Loon close to shore along Bayshore Road recently. It was
still present on December 1. On November 28, a late Double-crested
Cormorant, the first in several weeks, was struggling against a fierce
wind while perched on a tiny artificial island off Salt Point. A late
Great Blue Heron, also the first in several weeks, was in the marsh on
December 1, visible from Bayshore Road.
On December 2, close to 100 Mute Swans could be seen from various points
on Bayshore Road. Two Gadwalls were in a flock of close to 200 American
Black Ducks off High Bluff Island on December 2, and on that date and
several preceding days there were two American Wigeons, two Northern
Pintails, and a Green-winged Teal in the marsh, visible from Bayshore
Road. Eight White-winged Scoters were off Gull Island on December 2.
Further evidence that defining any part of the past week as winter
requires a stretch of the imagination came on November 26, when a
Ruffed Grouse was heard drumming in the woods north of the group campground.
Six American Coots, that had been reported as missing in last week's
report, have re-appeared in Presqu'ile Bay, where they have been seen
for the past few days. Last week's report also spoke of "the usual
November influx of Purple Sandpipers", which, up to then, had failed to
materialize. As if to respond, ten of that species, along with a very
late Dunlin, descended on Sebastopol Island on November 28. By December
2, three additional Purple Sandpipers had joined the original flock,
making a total of thirteen of that species, as well as a Dunlin. At
Owen Point on December 2, a very late (but not record late) Little Gull
accompanied a small group of Bonaparte's Gulls.
One Snowy Owl continues to patrol Gull Island, moving to the
neighbouring islands when disturbed, and a second individual was on High
Bluff Island on November 29.
The only sighting this week of a Northern Shrike was of a bird along the
entrance road near beach 2 on December 2. The Tufted Titmouse that
pays frequent visits to the feeders at 186 and 191 Bayshore Road has
apparently wandered farther afield than previously suspected. It has
been seen a few times at the feeders behind 89 Bayshore Road. At the
height of the windstorm that blasted the Presqu'ile peninsula on
November 28, a Golden-crowned Kinglet and a Brown Creeper showed up near
the lighthouse, where they had not appeared for several weeks, and the
latter species was still present on the next day. Birders visiting
Presqu'ile recently have expressed surprise at the absence of American
Robins, the latest reports dating back over two weeks. Normally there
is a sizable flock that winters in the Park. The White-throated Sparrow
at 83/85 Bayshore Road and the Red-winged Blackbird that has been moving
around among feeders on Bayshore Road may well remain for the winter.
As recently as November 26, there were five of the latter species and a
Brown-headed Cowbird at 83 Bayshore Road, and single Common Grackles
were at two different feeders on the following day. Up to a dozen Pine
Siskins and many more American Goldfinches are regular feeder visitors
along Bayshore Road.
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.
