At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, the annual Christmas Bird Count is
scheduled for Sunday, December 19, which means that today marks the
beginning of "count period", the week surrounding the actual date, and a
number of interesting birds were sighted today. Almost all of the birds
in the Park now are confined to the bird feeders and the waters of the
peninsula.
A Common Loon flew past the lighthouse on December 11, and one was in
Presqu'ile Bay on December 16. Great Blue Herons usually depart once
the marsh freezes over, so the one that was there on December 13 may
turn out to be the last of the season (although two days later one was
on the ice in another marsh outside the Park).
Between 200 and 300 Mute Swans are the most conspicuous birds in
Presqu'ile Bay these days. Since much of the protected water in the
area has frozen over, a raft of Greater Scaup and Redheads has appeared
in Presqu'ile Bay. A small number of White-winged Scoters can usually
be found there also.
Two different Sharp-shinned Hawks were seen on the weekend at 83
Bayshore Road, and a Northern Goshawk was at Owen Point on December 12.
An American Coot accompanied the Scaup in Presqu'ile Bay on December
16. There were six Purple Sandpipers on Gull Island on December 12 and
14, but only two could be found on December 16. A few Bonaparte's Gulls
were still present at the beach on December 13, but they appear to have
moved on.
Two Snowy Owls were seen on the offshore islands on December 13, but on
most days, including today, only one could be found.
On December 12, the Northern Flicker that has made infrequent
appearances along Bayshore Road was seen again. Two Pileated
Woodpeckers were seen on the preceding day, and one on December 16. The
Tufted Titmouse at 186 and 191 Bayshore Road has also been reported
occasionally at other bird feeders on Bayshore Road. It is seen
virtually every day now, including today. Two Brown Creepers
occasionally join the flock of Black-capped Chickadees and
White-breasted Nuthatches visiting the vegetation surrounding the
feeders at 186 Bayshore Road. On December 16, a flock of American
Robins was at the calf pasture, and another individual was seen near the
lighthouse.
Surprisingly, two Song Sparrows showed up on Gull Island on December
12. From December 12 to 14, a number of small flocks of Common Redpolls
made their way westward along the shore of Presqu'ile Bay, pausing
occasionally to feed on birch trees or at feeders, but they appear to
have moved on, as have the Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches that
were regular feeder patrons until earlier this week.
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, plenty of heavy ice floes, and a substrate that is somewhat
uneven. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff
Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not available for
bird-watching until after December 20.
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.
