In terms of both weather and bird life, it has been like early spring at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park until this morning. Birds have arrived back
much earlier than usual and open water extends over much of the area
that is normally frozen until at least mid-March.
A TRUMPETER SWAN was seen on February 28. TUNDRA SWANS are uncommon at
Presqu'ile, but a flock of 42 flew over on February 26 and one was in
Presqu'ile Bay on February 27. GADWALLS and AMERICAN WIGEONS have been
present in good numbers this week. An interesting duck at the edge of
the marsh had the markings of a male MALLARD on the front two-thirds of
its body and those of a male NORTHERN PINTAIL on the rear one-third.
Diving ducks, especially REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP, are present by the
thousands in Presqu'ile Bay. However, on some recent days they have been
so far away from accessible parts of the shoreline that identification
of species is difficult to impossible, even with a scope. On Monday and
Tuesday, the female SURF SCOTER first seen a week ago was still off the
Salt Point lighthouse, and the female BLACK SCOTER was there on Sunday
and Monday.
A RUFFED GROUSE was found on Tuesday, and WILD TURKEYS continue to
wander occasionally onto Bayshore Road. In a normal year, AMERICAN
COOTS would be showing up when the ice begins to break up, but there
have been no recent sightings yet. At least four AMERICAN WOODCOCKS
were performing their ritual mating display in two different parts of
the Park on the remarkably early date of February 27. Up until Tuesday,
two or three BALD EAGLES could be seen almost every day. A PILEATED
WOODPECKER was seen on Monday, and a MERLIN on Tuesday. Two COMMON
RAVENS sitting shoulder to shoulder at the calf pasture were not the
only ones seen in that area this week. Perhaps they will be nesting in
the area, as they did once before in the Park. Three observers heard a
bird singing in the marsh that, later in spring, would have been
identified as a MARSH WREN, but they could not see the singer to confirm
its identity. On the weekend, two PINE SISKINS were again visiting the
feeders at 186 Bayshore Road. Single WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were seen
in two different parts of the Park, undoubtedly over-wintering
individuals rather than migrants. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON
GRACKLES are now widespread.
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 will
have to wade through water more than a few centimetres deep on approach.
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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