The most interesting bird sightings at Presqu'ile Provincial Park these
days are at the various bird feeders located in the Park and at private
residences and cottages along Bayshore Road. In terms of numbers,
however, the feeder birds can not come close to rivalling the masses of
ducks and other water birds in the surrounding waters, a few of which
are sufficiently uncommon to have attracted visitors this week.
Four TRUMPETER SWANS flew in on November 2 and two TUNDRA SWANS were
spotted on October 30. A good variety of dabbling ducks is always
present in the marsh opposite the bird sightings board. Among others
there is a pair of GADWALLS, a EURASIAN WIGEON that has been there every
day since October 27, several AMERICAN WIGEONS, a NORTHERN SHOVELER on
November 3, and a few NORTHERN PINTAILS. Unfortunately, most of the
diving ducks, estimated at over ten thousand, remain far off shore.
When viewing conditions are good, the majority can be identified with
spotting scopes as REDHEADS, GREATER SCAUP, and RED-BREASTED
MERGANSERS. SURF, WHITE-WINGED, and BLACK SCOTERS have also been seen.
RED-THROATED LOONS have been seen on three different days. A GREAT
EGRET that flew over a cottage on October 30 was a new record late date
for that species at Presqu'ile.
As was the case in November a few years ago, an OSPREY continues to
frequent the calf pasture and vicinity. BALD EAGLES were seen on three
of the past five days. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was in the Park on November 1
and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS on each of the past three days. Two MERLINS were
moving together up and down Bayshore Road on November 2. Several people
have seen two WILD TURKEYS together at various points along Bayshore Road.
The four shorebird species that have been regularly seen this week are
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, SANDERLINGS, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, and
DUNLINS. Singles of SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and LEAST
SANDPIPER (November 2- rather late) were also seen. Two WILSON'S SNIPE
in the marsh and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK on High Bluff Island were also
worth noting. A LITTLE GULL on November 1 and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL on October 30 were of interest. This is the time of year when
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES occasionally appear at Presqu'ile. The only owl
of the past week was a BARRED OWL, a species that invaded the Park last
winter, beginning at about this date. A repeat performance is not
expected, to the disappointment of many who have been asking.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are being sighted with some regularity. An
EASTERN PHOEBE was still present today. The first NORTHERN SHRIKE of
the season was at the calf pasture yesterday. A BLUE-HEADED VIREO on
High Bluff Island on November 1 was very late. COMMON RAVENS have been
seen on several occasions this week. Single CAROLINA WRENS are regular
both at 83 Bayshore Road and at 186/191 Bayshore Road. A HOUSE WREN on
October 29 was exceptionally late. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD was at the
lighthouse on November 1. On October 31 and November 3 and 4, a late
GRAY CATBIRD was at the lighthouse, and a late BROWN THRASHER was at 83
Bayshore Road on October 31. At the same address was a record late
TENNESSEE WARBLER on November 2. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a few
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were the only others of that family. EASTERN
TOWHEES, FIELD SPARROWS, FOX SPARROWS, SWAMP SPARROW, and WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROW were all seen in the past week but have thinned out
considerably. LAPLAND LONGSPURS and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS seen in the Park
this week are always welcome finds. Large flocks of PINE SISKINS are
being seen daily, but the flock of 10-16 EVENING GROSBEAKS at the feeder
near the bird sightings board was there for only a short while on
November 1.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days. 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.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [email protected].
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
