At Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week, the bird life has been typical
of late fall conditions, with one sighting being a record late date for
the species.
TUNDRA SWANS have continued to move through the Park. On Friday a
flock of 25-30 flew over, and on Sunday two flocks totalling 28 birds
were seen. A female WOOD DUCK was in the marsh on Saturday and Sunday.
The highest count of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS was 25 on Sunday. A female
BLACK SCOTER has been lingering off Owen Point. WILD TURKEYS continue
to be seen in the calf pasture. Three HORNED GREBES were in Popham Bay
on Sunday. In the far distance a SANDHILL CRANE could be heard bugling
on December 2. For the first time since spring, no typical shorebirds
were reported, but a record late (by 12 days) AMERICAN WOODCOCK was
flushed on the Owen Point trail on December 5. Somewhat surprisingly,
the first GLAUCOUS GULL of the season has yet to appear. A late
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT flew past High Bluff Island on Sunday. Two
NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen on Sunday. At least eight SNOWY OWLS were
on the offshore islands and one was in the residential area. An
AMERICAN KESTREL was seen on Sunday. Scarcely worth mentioning are the
COMMON RAVENS being sighted almost daily.
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
knee-deep when it is absolutely calm; this does not take into account
any wave action. 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
flew past High Bluff Island on Sunday.
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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