The spring bird migration is clearly under way at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park, with waterfowl being the major players up till now. Among them
have been two rare species, both of which have been present for much of
the winter.
There are hundreds of Mute Swans and at least three Tundra Swans in
Presqu'ile Bay. The discovery last weekend of a Greater White-fronted
Goose a few kilometres west of Presqu'ile should serve notice to birders
visiting the Park that that rarity may find its way to Presqu'ile, where
a few Canada Geese can usually be found. Thousands of diving ducks have
poured in during the past few days, almost all of them Greater Scaup.
Apart from enjoying the spectacle of so many ducks, a keen and patient
observer can usually find a few Canvasbacks and Redheads among them.
The background noise of hundreds of Long-tailed Ducks is music to the
ears of those who associate that clamour with spring. The three most
interesting species seen at Presqu'ile in the past few days, all in the
general lighthouse area, have been a female Harlequin Duck seen on
February 20 (perhaps the same bird that was frequenting the western part
of the Park earlier in the winter), White-winged Scoters (up to three
of which have been seen on six of the past seven days), and a male
Barrow's Goldeneye (which has been present for a full month and finally,
on January 21, co-operated by showing itself to every birder that came
looking for it, including some who had made repeated unsuccessful
efforts to find it).
The remains of a Ruffed Grouse were found at the entrance to a fox's den
beside the Newcastle trail. Bald Eagles have appeared about every
second day, and two observers wondered whether the bird that they saw
might have been a Golden Eagle.
Mourning Doves and Pileated Woodpeckers have begun vocalizing in the
past few days, another sign of spring. On each of the past two days, a
Northern Shrike was spotted at the calf pasture, probably the same bird
that has been in that vicinity since November. Golden-crowned Kinglets
were observed on February 21. The American Robins that have been at
Presqu'ile all winter have moved out into the open again and are
foraging on exposed patches of lawn. Since February 18 there have been
as many as four Brown-headed Cowbirds patronizing the feeders at 85
Bayshore Road, the first of that species in the Park since early November.
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.
