Most of the highlights of the past week's birding at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park have consisted of birds that are not normally here this
late in the season.
"Divers" are well represented among the late-lingering birds: a Common
Loon in Presqu'ile Bay on November 26 and 27; a Pied-billed Grebe at
the causeway just outside the Park on November 21; two Horned Grebes on
Nov. 22 in Popham Bay and one on November 23; a very late Red-necked
Grebe off the calf pasture on November 26.
On November 21, a Double-crested Cormorant was on Salt Point, and later
in the day that bird or another of that species flew past the
lighthouse. A Great Blue Heron can almost always be found by scanning
the edge of the reeds opposite the bird sightings board, and another was
at the calf pasture on November 26.
During a minor flight of raptors on November 22, a Turkey Vulture flew
past the lighthouse.
A group of 15 Tundra Swans spent much of the afternoon of November 26
resting on the shore at the calf pasture before swimming off across the
bay, presumably to roost. Gadwalls and American Wigeons are among
hundreds of dabbling ducks that feed near High Bluff Island when not
being spooked by hunters and others. A single bird of the latter
species regularly accompanies a small group of Ring-necked Ducks off 16
Bayshore Road. Up to four Green-winged Teal are with the Mallards on
beach 2. White-winged Scoters can usually be seen off Sebastopol Point
(now an island), and often in the bay off Salt Point. A Ruddy Duck, the
latest on record according to Birds of Presqu'ile Provincial Park, was
swimming off beach 2 on November 27.
Among the raptors that were seen at Presqu'ile on November 22 were two
Bald Eagles at the calf pasture and at least three Rough-legged Hawks.
There are still over 20 American Coots that can usually be seen from
Bayshore Road, between #16 and #18.
Shorebirds have again been in the spotlight during the past week at
Presqu'ile. Three Lesser Yellowlegs were reported at Owen Point on
November 22, and three Greater Yellowlegs were there on the following
morning and have been seen there several times since. Sanderlings were
there in groups of two or three up till November 24. A White-rumped
Sandpiper was closely observed there by two observers on November 23.
An extremely late Baird's Sandpiper, first seen on November 22, was
still at Owen Point with two Dunlins on November 24, but has not been
seen since. None of the rarer winter gulls has yet been seen in the
Park, but they may be expected soon.
Two Northern Shrikes were in the Park this week, one of them being seen
repeatedly near the calf pasture. A Golden-crowned Kinglet was in a
spruce tree near the lighthouse on November 23, over two weeks later
than the previous sightings in that area. An American Pipit was on the
beach on November 23. White-throated Sparrows can usually be found at
85 Bayshore Road, and one or two Song Sparrows patronize the feeders at
186 Bayshore Road, where there was also a Purple Finch on November 23.
As many as 50 Pine Siskins have appeared in various parts of the Park
almost every day, the most reliable location being 186 Bayshore Road. A
flock of 21 Evening Grosbeaks descended briefly on the feeder at that
address on November 23.
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 knee-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It
should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, Owen Point,
and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird watching on
those days.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
R.R. #4,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
Fred Helleiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving
and joining the list. As well as general information and content
guidelines.
