At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, as at most other places in southern
Ontario, birding in early February is marked by consistency. That is,
almost every bird, whether a land bird or a water bird, remains in the
same general location day after day. This, of course, makes it easier
to follow up on sightings made previously by others.
Perhaps because of the unusual amount of open water this winter, the
gathering of MUTE SWANS in Presqu'ile Bay has been smaller this year
than in recent winters but still numbering well over one hundred birds.
Among them this week have been a single TRUMPETER SWAN and two TUNDRA
SWANS. After a flock of five CANVASBACKS flew by last Friday, not one
has been seen since then. More should be arriving any day now. A
report of a KING EIDER earlier this week has brought a number of birders
in search of it, but to my knowledge none has been successful. That
species has become very rare at Presqu'ile, the last previous record, I
believe, being about five years ago. Both male and female WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS can usually be found in small numbers off the lighthouse. A
male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE has been there for nine of the last ten days.
An immature BALD EAGLE was at the lighthouse on Sunday and today. On
three days this week a WILD TURKEY has been on the road near the Atkins
Lane/Paxton Drive junction, often acting remarkably tame and even
causing a minor traffic jam. ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS are the only
uncommon larids seen in the past week. A SNOWY OWL has become a
"regular" on the ice off the calf pasture, and BARRED OWLS are still
regular in several parts of the Park.
Single NORTHERN SHRIKES have appeared in two widely separated places in
the Park. Two BROWN CREEPERS in the lighthouse area have appeared
together on two recent occasions. A small flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS seen
on January 29 would be a common sighting in most winters but is one of
only very few in southern Ontario this winter and the only record since
November at Presqu'ile. A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD continues to be seen
near the Langton Avenue/Bayshore Road junction.
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 is normally ice-covered at this time of year, but
the ice, while appearing to be thick, might not support the weight of a
human. However, the water beneath the crust is only ankle-deep. The
surrounding shoreline can be very slippery. 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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