In addition to the waterfowl that have been flooding into Presqu'ile
Provincial Park for some time now (and which may be peaking during the
next two weekends, which are the Waterfowl Viewing Festival), other
birds have also finally begun to move into the Park, with a noticeable
influx on the past weekend.
The expected arrival of dabbling ducks has not yet occurred, except for
a few Mallards. However, Ring-necked Ducks and Hooded Mergansers first
appeared on March 6 to join the thousands of Canvasbacks, Redheads, and
Greater Scaup which have congregated in Presqu'ile Bay. About ten to
fifteen thousand of the latter near the lighthouse as I look out over my
computer may have arrived just this afternoon. Two White-winged Scoters
were at Salt Point on March 7.
On March 7, when the wind shifted to the south, a small falcon came in
off Lake Ontario, following the trajectory that migrant hawks normally
take in spring.
The colony of Ring-billed Gulls on Gull Island has become a maelstrom of
wings with accompanying noise. On March 5, an Iceland Gull was on the
ice nearby. Two Snowy Owls have been present during the past week, one
on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay and a much darker bird (presumably the same
bird that has been present from time to time all winter) on Gull Island.
With patience one can still count on finding the Tufted Titmouse at the
feeders at 186 Bayshore Road. On at least one sunny morning recently it
was singing persistently not far away. On two mornings recently, single
American Robins near the lighthouse behaved as migrants do when they
first arrive there, unlike the wintering birds that are still around in
some numbers. Although there have been up to three European Starlings
on the Presqu'ile peninsula all winter, a few dozen arrived earlier this
week and have since been making a nuisance of themselves at the
feeders. Uncharacteristically, there have as yet been no reports of
Red-winged Blackbirds or Common Grackles in the Park this year. With
the current south-west wind, it seems more than likely that a few will
arrive overnight. A small flock of Common Redpolls passed through the
lighthouse area on March 5, and one or two have lingered since then.
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.
