With a few exceptions, most of the birds in Presqu'ile Provincial Park
these days would not be out of place in mid-winter. The big flocks of
sparrows that were everywhere only a week or so ago have disappeared,
leaving the woods and roadsides fairly quiet. Most of the land bird
activity is now around the bird feeders.
In addition to the resident Canada Geese, at least one flock passed high
overhead, southbound on a strong north-west wind. In the past week,
large increases have occurred in the numbers of American Black Ducks,
Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, and Common
Goldeneyes. Canvasbacks have been present in both Popham Bay and
Presqu'ile Bay. A female Black Scoter has been highly visible to the
north of Gull Island for the past five days. One or two Ruddy Ducks
have been accompanying the raft of Greater Scaup in Popham Bay for most
of the week. Up to eight Red-throated Loons have also been in that
area. A count of 160 Common Loons there on November 4 was exceptional.
Two Red-necked Grebes were also there on that date. Most of the
Double-crested Cormorants have left, but a few were seen on five of the
past seven days.
Although seen on the north side of Presqu'ile Bay, a Bald Eagle was near
enough to the Park to warrant mention. On the same day (November 4), a
Northern Goshawk and a Peregrine Falcon were found over the west end of
the Park. A Rough-legged Hawk flew over the calf pasture on November 7.
A very late Ruddy Turnstone was seen twice in the vicinity of Gull
Island and Sebastopol Island, most recently on November 8. Other
shorebirds are mostly Sanderlings, White-rumped Sandpipers, and Dunlins,
but Semipalmated Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, and Pectoral Sandpiper,
all rather late, were also seen. Surprisingly, no Purple Sandpipers
have yet been found. On the mud flats just outside the Park gate there
were eleven Wilson's Snipe on November 4. Three Little Gulls, the first
of the season, were over Popham Bay on November 4.
A Great Horned Owl was flushed in Newcastle Woods. We can expect Snowy
Owls to appear soon, probably on Gull Island. Two Northern Shrikes were
found this week, the usual adult that frequents the calf pasture and a
young bird on Gull Island.
A Carolina Wren continues to make sporadic visits to the feeders at 186
Bayshore Road. A late Ruby-crowned Kinglet was on treeless Gull Island
on November 4. A flock of Eastern Bluebirds was near the Park store on
that date. A late Hermit Thrush was spotted on November 8. American
Pipits are still on Gull Island. This was the first week since
mid-April that no warblers were found at Presqu'ile. Single Fox
Sparrows were seen on November 2 and 8, a Swamp Sparrow on November 4,
and a White-throated Sparrow and a very late White-crowned Sparrow on
November 8. Snow Buntings are all over the Owen Point/Gull Island area,
well over 100 on November 8. Thirty Common Redpolls were on the Owen
Point trail on November 8. Many Pine Siskins are at the feeders at 83
and 186 Bayshore Road, and a single female Evening Grosbeak has also
been at those locations.
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. It should be noted that, because
duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and
Saturdays, Gull "Island", High Bluff Island, and part of the calf
pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days. Again this
year, birders and others have been permitted at Owen Point on hunting
days for the first few weeks of the hunting season. A duck blind was
recently erected at Owen Point, so birders should exercise caution in
that area on hunting days until signs are erected restricting access
altogether.
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.
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