Birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has, as usual, been productive for
the time of year. Of particular interest is the build-up of waterfowl
that takes place in January as a first "sign of spring."
A concentration of thousands of CANADA GEESE and hundreds of swans has
been present this week at the ice margin in Presqu'ile Bay. In addition
to about 400 MUTE SWANS, there are also two TRUMPETER SWANS and up to
five TUNDRA SWANS. Two GADWALLS and a NORTHERN PINTAIL were at Owen
Point on January 1. A few CANVASBACKS have been trickling in, as they
normally do early in January, on each of the past two days. An
estimated 500 REDHEADS appear in Presqu'ile Bay whenever the ice permits
it, which depends on the wind direction. It is worth scanning the
flocks for an early RING-NECKED DUCK. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are at
Presqu'ile in small numbers. Every day since December 29, a male
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE has been near the lighthouse, and will likely stay
until early March. Except on the rare days when the water is calm, it
takes a good deal of patience to find it between dives.
Several interesting hawks have been seen this week. On Monday, two
immature BALD EAGLES were sharing a meal on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay,
and one was there two days later. On December 30, four NORTHERN
HARRIERS were spotted, three near Owen Point and one at the lighthouse.
Both SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWKS have been on the mainland and two
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS on High Bluff Island. A MERLIN was at the calf
pasture on January 3 and a PEREGRINE FALCON on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay
yesterday and today. Three RUFFED GROUSE again wandered into the back
yard at 83 Bayshore Road in search of food dropping from the feeders.
Six SNOWY OWLS were present on December 30, three on the beach, one at
Owen Point, one on Gull Island, and one on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay.
Three were seen on January 1 and today three could be seen from Owen
Point on the offshore islands.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are seen at various places along Bayshore Road.
A HAIRY WOODPECKER drumming on a pole today made a spring-like sound.
NORTHERN SHRIKES are seen at Owen Point and the calf pasture. The only
CAROLINA WREN sighting was at 83 Bayshore Road. The SAVANNAH SPARROW
first noticed on December 18 continues to establish new record late
dates each time it is seen. This morning it was at 102 Bayshore Road
and this afternoon at 83 Bayshore Road, where two WHITE-THROATED
SPARROWS and a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD were seen on December 29. The only
PINE SISKIN of the past week was in a flock of AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES at
186 Bayshore Road.
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 knee-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. Moreover, there is a great deal of ice on the surrounding
shore. 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].
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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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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
