Below normal temperatures have persisted without interruption for almost
two weeks at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and this has caused birding
activity to be fairly static throughout that period. Despite the cold
weather, the wind has been steadily from the west, which has kept
Presqu'ile Bay from freezing over except for brief periods.
Consequently, anyone willing to put up with the wind chill has been able
to see a good variety of waterfowl from places like the calf pasture,
the government dock, Langdon Avenue, and Salt Point. A spotting scope
is usually helpful. It will take a significant change in the weather to
trigger a real influx of migrants, but optimists can take note of the
fact that it is only eleven days until the date of the first American
Woodcock to appear a few years ago.
An estimated 800 Canada Geese and 300 Mute Swans were in Presqu'ile Bay
on February 12, as well as five Tundra Swans. A few Canvasbacks and a
few dozen Redheads have been there throughout the week. A Ring-necked
Duck, perhaps the same one that was present on January 22, was seen at
the end of Langdon Avenue on February 12. The Barrow's Goldeneye that
has frequented the area around the lighthouse since at least January 22
was still there on February 10 and is probably still in the area.
At least two Bald Eagles, an adult and an immature, have provided
irregular sightings, about every second day (one of each in the past
couple of hours). A Northern Harrier was hunting over High Bluff Island
and another flew over the opposite end of the Park. Red-tailed Hawks
have also been present.
Pileated Woodpeckers are never unusual at Presqu'ile, but they are
always of some interest, and when other forest birds are scarce they can
often be counted on to put in an appearance, and have done so this
week. A few American Robins are also always present, even in
mid-winter. Cedar Waxwings have been scarce this winter, but a few of
them were feeding with robins at the west end of the calf pasture, and a
flock of 16 was at the lighthouse parking lot on February 15. A
Red-winged Blackbird, the first at Presqu'ile since mid-December, was at
83 Bayshore Road on February 12.
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. Although the channels separating
Gull Island from Owen Point appear to be frozen over, the thickness of
the ice is probably unreliable because of the underlying currents, and
the water below the ice is deeper than usual.
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.
