Even in the dead of winter, birders can often find something unusual at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and this week has been no exception.
Relatively calm conditions during the recent cold spell permitted most
of Presqu'ile Bay and all of Popham Bay to freeze over and temporarily
displace most of the waterfowl, but a shift in the wind has opened up
much of the former. Among the hundred or more MUTE SWANS, there were
two adult TRUMPETER SWANS on January 9, and this morning they were
accompanied by two juveniles. A fifth TRUMPETER SWAN, bearing wing tag
#K29, was photographed in a different location yesterday. Dabbling
ducks seldom appear in Presqu'ile Bay in winter, but this week an
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK was there on January 9 and two MALLARDS were there
this afternoon. Four REDHEADS were in Presqu'ile Bay on Friday but none
appear to have remained since then. Nevertheless, past experience
suggests that the sudden recent change to strong south-west winds and
the consequent opening of water off the government dock may bring the
first wave of what local observers consider to be spring arrivals of
hundreds of REDHEADS. A few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS have been spotted
there in the past week, most recently one while this is being written.
Three BALD EAGLES were on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay on January 9, and
one has been seen in that area at least three times since then. Four
NORTHERN HARRIER sightings in the past week have been of interest,
singles on January 9 and 14 and two on January 11. In a classic case of
being in the right place at the right moment, four birders engaged in
the annual mid-winter waterfowl count were lucky enough to view an adult
LITTLE GULL as it flew past them, the first record of that species at
Presqu'ile during the meteorological winter.
Perhaps because of diminished birder activity in the traditional windy
parts of the Park, SNOWY OWL sightings have been few this week, in fact
only two, one flying over the cottages on Bayshore Road and the other on
the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. On the other hand, one observer found
three(!) BARRED OWLS in mid-day along Paxton Drive, including two near
Jobes' woods that were interacting and "hooting it up". One of that
species was also seen two days later. A PILEATED WOODPECKER yesterday
was the only one of the week. A NORTHERN SHRIKE just outside the Park
gate and a vocalizing COMMON RAVEN were also the only ones of the week.
A HERMIT THRUSH, rare in winter, was on the Owen Point trail yesterday.
The wintering flock of AMERICAN ROBINS, numbering about 15 birds, was
near the Lilac Lane - Bayshore Road intersection this morning. Two SNOW
BUNTINGS were on Gull Island on Sunday. With some relief, birders have
confirmed that the PINE WARBLER discovered twelve days ago near the bird
sightings board has survived both of the recent cold spells and seemed
perfectly healthy this morning as it fed on and under the nearby bird
feeder. Both WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were still
present at 85 Bayshore Road yesterday. A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was at 40
Bayshore Road on January 13 and a COMMON GRACKLE at 83 Bayshore Road on
January 9. COMMON REDPOLLS appear to be the most common passerine in
the Park this week. A flock of about 100 was off Owen Point, and
smaller numbers are an almost constant presence at some local feeders,
devouring prodigious amounts of expensive seed. Whether one of those
might be a HOARY REDPOLL continues to be a matter of debate among
experts with plenty of experience with both species.
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” can walk
across
the gap from Owen Point without special footwear. Ice conditions may
make for slippery walking. 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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