At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, the passage of at least two cold fronts
since a week ago has driven away most of the lingering migrant birds,
especially insectivorous ones, but has been accompanied by an influx of
clearly "winter" birds. The marsh has frozen over twice recently,
driving water birds into open portions of Presqu'ile Bay, where hunting
pressure has thinned out the flocks considerably this week.
A lone Pied-billed Grebe was still present on November 19, and a
Double-crested Cormorant on November 24. Just outside the Park but
still in Presqu'ile Bay, a flock of Tundra Swans landed at the west
entrance to the Murray Canal on November 20. Near Salt Point, a large
flock of Greater Scaup that stayed until discovered by hunters on
November 21 contained small numbers of Canvasbacks, Redheads,
Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, and a Black Scoter. Nearby there was a
White-winged Scoter for a few days, three Hooded Mergansers on November
23, and two Ruddy Ducks (the first at Presqu'ile this year) on November
19 and 20. There are still American Coots to be seen off 38 Bayshore Road.
Several raptors appeared over Gull Island on November 22: a Bald Eagle,
a Sharp-shinned Hawk, two Red-tailed Hawks (one of which was still
present two days later), and a Merlin. Another Merlin spent much of
November 18 perched in a tree over 183 Bayshore Road.
Three White-rumped Sandpipers were on the beach with two Dunlins on
November 19, and on the following day there was still one at Owen Point
(a rather late date), along with a Killdeer. Purple Sandpipers are
regular now, with as many as three on one day. Unfortunately, they have
all been on the offshore islands and usually not visible from the
mainland. In fact, almost all the sightings have been on Sebastopol
Island, to which access requires hip waders, extreme caution, and a bit
of luck in terms of waiting for acceptable wave conditions.
Surprisingly, there appear to be more Bonaparte's Gulls than any other
gull species at Presqu'ile this week.
A Snowy Owl, first discovered and photographed on Gull Island on
November 22, was still there today. A Belted Kingfisher was at Salt
Point on November 19 and 20. Three extremely noisy Pileated Woodpeckers
were at the south end of the Jobes' Woods trail on November 23. A late
Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at the lighthouse on November 18. A few
American Robins are still in the Park and will likely remain all winter,
with the possible exception of two seen at Owen Point on November 24. A
resurgence of American Pipit numbers occurred this week, peaking at
around 40 individuals on November 20 at Gull Island. One was still
there on November 24. The latest Yellow-rumped Warblers were two at the
lighthouse on November 20. A White-throated Sparrow at a feeder near
Salt Point will likely stay for the winter. A late Red-winged Blackbird
was on Gull Island on November 22. Five Common Grackles were at 186
Bayshore Road on November 20, and one was still there on November 24. A
Purple Finch was there two days ago. The cold front on November 22 was
accompanied by a few Common Redpolls. A few Pine Siskins appear from
time to time at feeders on 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, Sebastopol
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]
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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.
