Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 25-31 Dec 2020 By Doug McRae
This report is primarily based on sightings gleaned from eBird, and those reported directly to me. I would be grateful to hear of any interesting sightings. You can reach me at [email protected]. Your observations are very much appreciated. If you are reporting something rare, please provide some details (exact location, ID features noted) or photographs if possible. OVERVIEW: Between the lock-down and Christmas there was very little birding activity in the Park so once again, this report is brief. Hopefully with the New Year at hand there will be more to report next week as birders start their “year lists”. HIGHLIGHTS: BONAPARTE’S GULL, HERMIT THRUSH HOODED MERGANSER – 1 was seen on 25 Dec. BALD EAGLE – with the ice covering part of Presqu’ile Bay this species has begun to frequent the area with near daily sightings of up to 5 birds. BONAPARTE’S GULL – A first-winter bird was seen on 25 Dec and 29 Dec near Salt Pt. in Presqu’ile Bay. This is a very rare species after early Dec. in all but the most mild of winters. HERMIT THRUSH – 1 was seen on 27 Dec and 29 Dec along the paved walking path that runs between Lighthouse Lane and Paxton Dr. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – reported through the week at feeders along Bayshore Rd with a high of 5 on 26 Dec. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD – small numbers seen at feeders along Bayshore Rd. with a high of 4 on 26 Dec. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL – 12 on 31 Dec in spruce along Paxton Dr. just east of Atkins Land was the only report, but it is likely that small numbers are floating about. COMMON REDPOLL – small numbers seen through the week with a high of 55 on Gull Is. on 29 Dec. Directions: Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located south of Brighton on the north shore of Lake Ontario. It is well signed from either Hwy. 401 or Cty. Rd. 2. Doug McRae Shrew Solutions Inc. 240 Presqu’ile Parkway Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 H 613-243-4161 C -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines To edit your membership settings visit the Birdnews setup page at: http://ontbirds.ca/mailman/listinfo/birdnews_ontbirds.ca. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
