Fewer birders than usual have ventured to Presqu'ile Provincial Park
this week, and as a result there are fewer sightings to report, but the
quality of some of the birds seen has been rewarding to those who have
persevered.
Two adult and one juvenile TUNDRA SWAN were swimming off Gull Island
this morning. A few days ago, there were three adults in the marsh.
The EURASIAN WIGEON that first appeared almost a month ago is still
present. For a few days (November 18 - 23) it was frequenting the east
shore of High Bluff Island, where viewing conditions had to be good in
order for it to be seen from Gull Island. Yesterday it was
re-discovered in the marsh, slightly to the east of where it used to
forage, and it was still there this morning, near the edge of the newly
formed ice margin, where it seems likely to stay until the next cold
night freezes the marsh. Whether it will then return to the other
location (which seldom freezes over) remains to be seen. Two NORTHERN
SHOVELERS were in the marsh on November 19, and NORTHERN PINTAILS have
been there in small numbers fairly consistently all week. Today there
were also two of the latter off Gull Island. There have been a few
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS in Presqu'ile Bay. On November 22 and 23, a male
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was off 186 Bayshore Road, and on November 24 a
clearly identifiable female (i.e., with a bright yellow bill and the
typical head shape) was there. A HOODED MERGANSER was in Popham Bay on
November 22.
An immature BALD EAGLE was near Owen Point twice this week. The latest
sightings of a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were on November 21 and 23 (a
rather late date), in the company of a small flock of DUNLINS. Only one
of the latter could be found on November 25, and that one had an injured
leg. PURPLE SANDPIPERS have been seen this week on each of the
non-hunting days. On Sunday, three were on the east end of Gull Island
and visible from the mainland, on Tuesday, one was at the west end of
Gull Island, and today there were four on Sebastopol Island,
identifiable with a spotting scope from Gull Island. The largest
concentration of BONAPARTE'S GULLS of the fall (about 200 earlier in the
week) has been off Owen Point and on the adjacent portion of Gull
Island. That is also the area where the first SNOWY OWL of the season
is likely to show up, and that could happen at any time now. The only
other owls seen this week were BARRED OWLS, of which there were a couple
of sightings.
A BELTED KINGFISHER was present on November 23, and a RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER on November 21. Twice this week, a juvenile NORTHERN SHRIKE
was at Owen Point. COMMON RAVENS continue to be seen regularly. A
HORNED LARK was on Gull Island on November 21. The CAROLINA WREN that
has been commuting between 186 and 191 Bayshore Road for over a month
continues to appear from time to time,but stays well hidden most of the
time. There was still a rather late AMERICAN PIPIT on Gull Island
today. A late FOX SPARROW on November 19 has not been seen since. Ten
LAPLAND LONGSPURS and 150 SNOW BUNTINGS on Gull Island on November 21
were the largest numbers of the season. Two BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS at 81
Bayshore Road may be visiting nearby feeders. The most plentiful
finches of the week were PINE SISKINS, about 80 on November 21.
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 ankle-deep water (deeper when
there are waves, which can come up quickly) 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/
