Birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week has been fairly typical
for late November, except for a few surprises.
On Friday, November 21, three swan species were present. About 80 MUTE
SWANS on that day were eclipsed by a count of 187 on November 23. Also
present were a TRUMPETER SWAN and eleven TUNDRA SWANS. A female
NORTHERN PINTAIL was at Gull Island on November 23. A few CANVASBACKS
and RING-NECKED DUCKS continue to accompany the hundreds of REDHEADS in
Presqu'ile Bay. The five SURF SCOTERS seen there on November 23 may be
the same group that was present for over a month but had not been seen
for almost two weeks. About 25 HOODED MERGANSERS and a RUDDY DUCK were
also in Presqu'ile Bay on November 23. Four WILD TURKEYS, perhaps the
largest group ever seen in the Park, were found yesterday. A non-birder
surprised those who confirmed his identification of a RED-THROATED LOON
near the edge of the ice in Presqu'ile Bay on November 24. HORNED
GREBES were still in Presqu'ile Bay on two of the past five days, with
two on November 23. Only one DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT remained to be
seen on November 24. Three GREAT BLUE HERONS flew over on November 23,
and one was just outside the Park gate this morning.
A few NORTHERN HARRIERS are being seen. On November 21 an AMERICAN COOT
was in Presqu'ile Bay and SANDHILL CRANE(S) were heard from that
direction. No shorebirds have been seen since Sunday, when a single
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and a glimpsed flying PURPLE SANDPIPER were with
18 DUNLINS. None of the expected GLAUCOUS or ICELAND GULLS could be
found yet. After a number of birders had "dipped out" on SNOWY OWLS on
Sunday and Tuesday, two birders hit the jackpot this afternoon, when at
least 11 and possibly 12 were on Owen Point and the offshore islands,
apparently a one-day record for Presqu'ile. At least six could be seen
from Owen Point and eight could be seen at one point from Gull Island.
Did they move in overnight? A BARRED OWL was at the calf pasture this
morning. An AMERICAN KESTREL and a few MERLINS were seen as recently as
yesterday and today, respectively.
On Sunday two HORNED LARKS were on Gull Island and a very late
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was at Owen Point. AMERICAN PIPITS have been the
most common passerines on Gull Island this week, but 20 SNOW BUNTINGS
were also there on Sunday. The feeders at 83 and 85 Bayshore Road have
had FOX, WHITE-THROATED, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS as well as
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS (also at 102 Bayshore Road) and COMMON GRACKLES
(also at 102 and 186 Bayshore Road). COMMON REDPOLLS have been avoiding
feeders (except for two individuals at 83 Bayshore Road) but have been
increasing in number at Owen Point and Gull Island, where at least two
dozen were seen this afternoon. When PINE SISKINS first showed up this
fall, they too avoided feeders, but now they are patronizing them in
huge numbers. A HOUSE SPARROW at 186 Bayshore Road for two days was an
unusual sight at Presqu'ile.
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 water that is shin-deep,
not taking into account any wave action,.in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. Much of the crossing to Gull Island is covered by thin and
very slippery ice, conditions that demand caution. It should also be
noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, 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] <mailto:[email protected]>.
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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