This has been an interesting week for anyone following the birding
conditions in Presqu'ile Provincial Park. If nothing else, one cannot
help but be impressed by the extreme day-to-day, even hour-to-hour,
variability in ice conditions in Presqu'ile Bay and elsewhere, which
governs the behaviour and location of thousands of waterfowl. By
checking the bay, Gull Island, and a few feeders, one observer was able
to identify 35 species of birds in the space of 2-3 hours this morning.
At least 18 other species were seen in the Park this past week,
including 11 that were not among the 49 seen in the Park during the
Christmas Bird Count the week before.
Both TRUMPETER SWANS and TUNDRA SWANS have rewarded birders who have
carefully scanned the hundreds of MUTE SWANS in Presqu'ile Bay. On
December 27, a number of waterfowl appeared that are not common in
winter, some of them staying up to and beyond the freeze-up on December
29. One GADWALL was off the government dock on December 27 and two were
there on the next day. A NORTHERN PINTAIL was off Gull Island on
December 27 and 31. Three CANVASBACKS, the first in several weeks,
showed up on December 27, and one was still present on December 30. An
estimated 2,000 REDHEADS represented almost a 4,000% increase from
December 26 to 27. By December 29, that number had decreased to fewer
than a dozen as the bay had mostly frozen over. Even by today, with
lots of open water in the bay, only a few dozen had returned. This
phenomenon (the sudden appearance and equally sudden disappearance of
thousands of waterfowl) has taken place in previous winters, but not
usually quite so early in the season. Where they go when they disappear
is a mystery, but their arrival always seems to be a "first sign of
spring" in these parts. There was also an impressive number of scaup
with the REDHEADS, mostly GREATER SCAUP, but at least one LESSER SCAUP
was identified. A careful search failed to turn up any RING-NECKED
DUCKS, which often accompany a major influx of other /Aythya/ ducks in
winter. On December 25, a female HOODED MERGANSER was seen in
Presqu'ile Bay. Two RUDDY DUCKS accompanied the scaup off the
government dock on December 28 and one was still there on December 31, a
record late date for Presqu'ile. Perhaps not classified as a waterfowl,
a very late RED-NECKED GREBE was also off the government dock on
December 27 and 28.
Both adult and immature BALD EAGLES have been seen in the Park in the
past few days. A NORTHERN HARRIER was again patrolling Gull Island
today. The biggest raptor surprise of the week was a PEREGRINE FALCON
that was harassing the ducks in Presqu'ile Bay on December 28. There
have been no recent reports of the WILD TURKEY that was frequenting
Bayshore Road earlier in the month. A late AMERICAN COOT was
accompanying the REDHEADS on December 26-28. Two very late shorebirds
were spotted on Gull Island today. They flew off before a positive
identification could be made, but they appeared to be DUNLINS. An
ICELAND GULL was in Presqu'ile Bay on December 27. BARRED OWLS,
including one that was calling, continue to attract many visitors, some
from as far away as Michigan.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was near the Park entrance yesterday. A HORNED LARK
was on Gull Island on Sunday. The CAROLINA WREN that has been visiting
feeders at 83 and 115 Bayshore Road continues to do so periodically. A
WINTER WREN flew out from under a boardwalk in Jobes' woods on December
28. In the perhaps misguided "signs-of-spring" department, a singing
AMERICAN ROBIN on December 20 and a singing NORTHERN CARDINAL on
December 24 and 27 are food for optimists. Feeder watchers continue to
find a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD at 85 Bayshore Road and nearby locations and
an unprecedented ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at the group campground parking
lot, both as recently as today.
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. The narrow channel between Owen
Point and Gull Island was ice-covered today, but the ice, while
appearing to be thick, does not support the weight of a human. However,
the water beneath the crust is only shin-deep. The surrounding shoreline
can be very slippery. With hip waders one can walk to Sebastopol Island
from Gull Island, but wading to High Bluff Island is not possible.
Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird
sightings board provided near the campground office by The Friends of
Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not
listed there.
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Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
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