Although the star attraction at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week has
been a duck, it is the hordes of newly arrived migrants that have kept
birders hopping. In the past week, sixteen species of birds were found
in the Park for the first time this year, most of them in the past two days.
Red-throated Loons and Common Loons have both been seen this week, the
former on March 27 in their usual location (Popham Bay) and the latter
at Owen Point and in Presqu'ile Bay. Two Horned Grebes in Popham Bay on
March 27 were the first seen here this year. The first two
Double-crested Cormorants arrived on March 30, and many more were seen
on the next day. An American Bittern was reported on March 25, standing
on the ice in the marsh. Great Blue Heron numbers continue to climb
every day, and the imminent arrival of the first Great Egrets is keenly
anticipated.
Among the huge numbers of Canada Geese that have been passing over
Presqu'ile all week, there were two Snow Geese on March 29. A small
group of Canada Geese at Owen Point on March 31 contained one Cackling
Goose. As mentioned above, a male Eurasian Wigeon has attracted many
birders to the Park since its discovery on March 28. Most people have
had no trouble locating this striking bird as it swims among the
thousands of other ducks in Presqu'ile Bay. It is usually close enough
to shore to be seen from Bayshore Road (between property #4 and #42)
wherever viewing is possible without trespassing. There is reason to
hope that it will still be present on the coming weekend to accommodate
those birders who have been unable to come during the week. A few
Blue-winged Teal have been around since March 26, along with scores of
Green-winged Teal. In one mixed flock just north of Owen Point on March
31 there was one male Eurasian Teal. Although subspecies are not
normally mentioned in these reports, this taxon is recognized in Europe
as a distinct species, whereas North American ornithologists have for a
number of years been treating it as a subspecies of Green-winged Teal.
No doubt some birders lucky enough to see this distinctive-looking bird
(if it stays) will have to wrestle with their consciences in deciding
whether to add it to their lists. Although the small group of
White-winged Scoters off Salt Point continues to be a point of interest,
there have not yet been any reports of Surf Scoters or Black Scoters,
both of which may be expected to arrive soon.
The first Osprey of the year flew over the marsh on March 31. Northern
Harriers were also migrating on that day. A Merlin was seen on March 26
and March 30, the first near the lighthouse and the second at the calf
pasture.
Two Ruffed Grouse were heard drumming in the woods on March 27. Two
American Woodcocks were flushed near the lighthouse on March 30, the
first day of the major influx of land birds. On March 31, the first two
Bonaparte's Gulls of the season flew past Owen Point, where a Glaucous
Gull had been seen on the day before. That is also where the first
Caspian Tern of the season may be expected in the next few days.
A Great Horned Owl was being mobbed by American Crows behind the bird
sightings board. For seven consecutive days up to March 29, a Snowy Owl
could be found somewhere at Presqu'ile, whether on the ice of Presqu'ile
Bay, at the tip of Salt Point, or on the gravel bar between Owen Point
and Gull Island.
A Belted Kingfisher, many Eastern Phoebes, and a few Tree Swallows were
among the recent arrivals. After an apparent absence on Friday and
Saturday, the Tufted Titmouse that has been drawing birders to
Presqu'ile all winter re-appeared for three more days (up to March 29).
During that time he whistled and he sang till the green wood rang, but
he could not win (or even find) the heart of a lady and may well have
left the area permanently. He is already being missed!
Among the swarms of migrants on March 31, there were Brown Creepers,
Golden-crowned Kinglets, Eastern Meadowlarks, two Purple Finches, and
many, many sparrows, including two Fox Sparrows that scratched and
foraged all day under the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road. The six Snow
Buntings that flew over Owen Point on March 27 and the lone Common
Redpoll that fed daily at 186 Bayshore Road until March 26 may well
prove to be the last of the winter. For the second time in less than a
week, a House Sparrow, normally rare at Presqu'ile, visited a feeder at
that same address, but this one was a female, unlike the one seen a few
days earlier.
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.
