The rather dramatic onset of typical winter conditions this week at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been reflected in the bird life of the
Park, but more by way of re-arranging the birds' distribution than by
arrival or departure of birds. For at least a few hours, before a wind
change, most of Presqu'ile Bay was frozen over, driving most of the
waterfowl out into Lake Ontario. Today, however, there was open water
as far inland as the calf pasture, and large numbers of waterfowl were
gathered in the bay.
Canada Geese and Mute Swans have apparently been frozen out of their
erstwhile hiding places and are now visible by the hundreds from the
government dock. A few Tundra Swans are among them. Canvasbacks in
single digits and Redheads in triple digits are also there. On January
13, about 100 White-winged Scoters were distributed in small flocks
offshore at various locations from the lighthouse westward. A Common
Loon and a Horned Grebe were in Presqu'ile Bay on that date. A
Red-necked Grebe was in the north-western corner of Presqu'ile Bay on
January 12, but was not seen from the Park itself.
A Great Blue Heron flew over near the Park entrance on January 17,
probably the latest date ever for lingering individuals of this species
at Presqu'ile. An adult Bald Eagle soared over the Park on January 16.
A Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Northern Goshawk were spotted on January 10.
One has to wonder what happens to birds like American Coots, Purple
Sandpipers, and Bonaparte's Gulls when a sudden freeze occurs. In the
case of the coots, there were still about 18 in the marsh on January
12, but two days ago only five and today only three could be found,
embedded in a large flock of diving ducks in the bay. Nevertheless,
those birds, as well as the three Purple Sandpipers on Gull Island on
January 14 and the five Bonaparte's Gulls that were still flying around
Presqu'ile Bay on that date, all represent the latest dates on record
for those respective species at Presqu'ile. None of the latter have
been seen since the freeze-up. Where are they now?
A Snowy Owl was hunting over High Bluff Island on January 14, and Barred
Owls were seen twice in the preceding week. It is almost certain that
at least one other species of owl is present in the Park, and observers
should be on the lookout for Great Horned Owls, which are resident in
"the fingers" and are likely calling at dawn and dusk.
Apart from numerous American Robins, a flock of Cedar Waxwings, and two
Common Grackles, passerine birds seen this week were only those that are
common winter birds. Some of them have been making spring-like noises
this week, - woodpeckers drumming and a White-breasted Nuthatch singing
its spring song. Birders visiting Presqu'ile might want to make a
slight detour to the Brighton suburb of Gosport on the north shore of
Presqu'ile Bay, where a Northern Flicker and a Northern Mockingbird have
been appearing regularly, most recently on January 18, both birds
conspicuously visible from inside a car.
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 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.
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.
