As mentioned in my report last week, Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been
closed for the past four days. Consequently, only a limited number of
"reportable" bird sightings were made in the past week. However, the
presence of unusually large areas of open water in Presqu'ile Bay has
created conditions for several exceptional observations.
Four Tundra Swans seen off 18 Bayshore Road on January 9 and an American
Wigeon two days earlier a little farther east continued a pattern of
winter sightings this year that is almost unprecedented. Canvasbacks
and Redheads usually disappear for a few weeks or even months in the
winter, but a few of both species have been seen around Salt Point
almost every day for the past week. Prior to the closure of the Park,
at least a dozen White-winged Scoters were still present off the
lighthouse and several Red-breasted Mergansers were there and off Owen
Point. Both species may still be there; the former have been showing
remarkable site tenacity for over a month.
Loons and grebes are almost unheard of at Presqu'ile in January, yet
three species of that group were in Presqu'ile Bay in the past week: a
Red-throated Loon and a Horned Grebe on January 7 and a Common Loon on
January 9. Eighteen American Coots were feeding at the edge of the
newly formed ice opposite 42 Bayshore Road on January 11, perhaps the
latest that that species has ever lingered in Presqu'ile Bay, certainly
in such numbers. The same can be said for Bonaparte's Gulls, of which
there were close to ten individuals on January 11, in addition to the
four that flew past Owen Point on January 7.
The only recent sighting of the Northern Shrike that has been a fixture
at the calf pasture was on January 5. Only one American Robin was
reported in the past week. Four Snow Buntings were on Gull Island on
January 7. The four Common Grackles that have been wintering at 83-85
Bayshore Road appear to have been reduced to two.
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. Gull Island is once again an island,
the connection to the mainland having been severed during a recent
storm. Visitors to Gull Island should be prepared to wade through
knee-deep water in which there is often a swift current and a substrate
that is somewhat uneven. Hip waders are essential, even when the water
is calm, and are inadequate when the water is rough. The surrounding
shoreline can be very slippery.
The Park will re-open at noon on Friday, January 12.
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.
