Late November and early December are typically slow periods for birding,
but at Presqu'ile Provincial Park there is sufficient variety to entice
birders who keep winter bird lists and arbitrarily begin them on December 1.
One of the more productive locations this week is the water off Salt
Point, where there were a late Horned Grebe on December 1 and two
Double-crested Cormorants as recently as November 28. Closer to the
head of the bay, off 42 Bayshore Road, there were nine Tundra Swans on
December 1, but at least seven of them were later seen flying out of the
bay. The only remaining dabbling ducks are American Black Ducks,
Mallards, and Green-winged Teal, of which there are several along the
beach. Five Canvasbacks are part of a flock of ducks usually resting
off the government dock, consisting mainly of Redheads and Greater
Scaup. At this time of year, it would not be unusual to find a King
Eider at Presqu'ile, but as yet there have been no reports. At least
one White-winged Scoter and three Black Scoters were in Popham Bay on
December 1. Up to six Hooded Mergansers have been off the government
dock in recent days. A Ruddy Duck was near Salt Point on November 28.
Northern Harrier (at Gull Island), Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk
(over Popham Bay), and Merlin (on Gull Island) were the only hawks seen
in the Park this week. The flock of American Coots off 42 Bayshore Road
has grown to 55 birds, but much of the time they are out of sight in the
reeds. With numbers ranging from two to five, Purple Sandpipers
continue to be found on every visit to the offshore islands
(particularly Sebastopol Island, which is unfortunately far enough
offshore to be out of range for spotting shorebirds from the mainland
and difficult - often dangerous or impossible - to access even from Gull
Island). A single Dunlin on November 27 was the only other shorebird in
the Park this week.
The Snowy Owl on Gull Island was not seen after November 27. At 6 p.m.
last night, a medium-sized owl, perhaps a Long-eared Owl, flew in front
of a car on Bayshore Road at Lilac Lane.
A Northern Flicker, the first in several weeks, was spotted on December
1, east of the entrance road to the Park. There is usually one or more
of that species that winters at Presqu'ile. Seven American Pipits were
seen at Gull Island on the rather late date of November 27, in addition
to several American Tree Sparrows and Song Sparrows. Just outside the
Park a Fox Sparrow paid a very brief visit to a feeder on Ontario Street
in Brighton on December 1. That feeder and one on Bayshore Road have
had recent visits from a White-throated Sparrow. For six consecutive
days up to November 28, a Common Grackle was a regular feeder patron at
186 Bayshore Road. A male Pine Grosbeak sat briefly in a treetop at 94
Bayshore Road on November 26. A mixed flock of Common Redpolls, Pine
Siskins, and American Goldfinches moved around near the lighthouse on
December 1.
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.
