Although February is traditionally a slow birding month, at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park the arrival of migrating waterfowl in large numbers
helps to alleviate any boredom from repeatedly finding the same few land
birds day after day.
While the numbers of Canada Geese and Mute Swans have remained fairly
constant lately (a few dozen of the former and 150-200 of the latter),
the numbers of ducks have been growing almost exponentially within the
last few days. As yet, no migrant Tundra Swans have appeared, but their
arrival is likely imminent, though only token numbers pass through
Presqu'ile compared to points in south-western Ontario. Dabbling ducks
are also among the next waterfowl to show up, the only ones found this
week being seven American Black Ducks and three Mallards. Until that
happens, the variety of waterfowl in the Park is not commensurate with
their numbers, which total nearly ten thousand, - mostly Greater Scaup,
Long-tailed Ducks, Redheads, and Common Goldeneyes. There are now about
100 Canvasbacks in Presqu'ile Bay. The edge of the ice in the bay,
which is where the greatest concentration occurs, shifts from day to day
according to recent wind conditions, but has recently been just to the
east of the calf pasture. By the time of the annual Waterfowl Festival
(March 12, 13, 19, and 20), the calf pasture will likely be one of the
best vantage points for seeing hordes of ducks. Small numbers of
White-winged Scoters can usually be found either in Lake Ontario or in
Presqu'ile Bay.
The other significant development of the past week has been the
appearance of thousands of gulls. The majority of those that rest on
the ice of Presqu'ile Bay are Herring Gulls, but large numbers of
Ring-billed Gulls are assembling on and around Gull Island, filling the
air with their squeals. Two Glaucous Gulls were among the Herring Gulls
in Presqu'ile Bay on February 16, and it seems more than likely that
more "white-winged" gulls are also present.
It is difficult to say whether the Snowy Owl that has been a regular
sighting on Gull Island on most days is the same bird as the one that
appears from time to time on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay.
There is very little news on the land bird front beyond frequent visits
to feeders on the part of the almost resident Tufted Titmouse. The
question in local birders' minds now (as it has been all along) is how
long it will stay at Presqu'ile in the absence of a mate. For what it
is worth, this writer will hazard a guess that it will remain in the
area until April, which is when migrants of that species have passed
through the Park in one or two previous years. The only other species
of interest visiting feeders during the past week is Common Redpoll, but
no more than three at a time and usually only one or none at all.
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 may appear 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.
