Most of the birds found at Presqu'ile Provincial Park during the past
week were located during the Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, proving
once again that the Park has far more birds than are usually seen,
unless there are concentrations of birders visiting the area to find
them. With the winter solstice upon us, we can start the countdown to
the arrival of spring migrants!
From Gull Island, one observer was able to see both a Common Loon and a
Horned Grebe on December 17. A late Great Blue Heron flew over Salt
Point on that date. The Mute Swan count reached a record 363 birds,
indicating a desperate need for some sort of control program. Four
American Wigeons, two Northern Pintails, and two Green-winged Teal were
among the dabbling ducks seen on December 17. December 15 was the last
date on which Canvasbacks were seen, 12 of them, along with 20
Redheads. Two of the latter were still present on December 20. The
Harlequin Duck that has been seen sporadically for a few weeks was found
just west of High Bluff Campground on December 17 and 21, consorting
with Buffleheads. The White-winged Scoter tally on December 17 was 131
birds, mostly off the lighthouse. A Hooded Merganser flew past Salt
Point on December 17.
Among the raptors at Presqu'ile this week were a Cooper's Hawk, another
large accipiter, and a Rough-legged Hawk. As many as 20 American Coots
have been in the reeds off 38 Bayshore Road, where the water is normally
frozen at this time of year. Two Purple Sandpipers were on the offshore
islands on December 17, but none could be found four days later. The
latest sighting of a Dunlin at Owen Point was on December 16. There are
still several Bonaparte's Gulls parasitizing the ducks in Presqu'ile
Bay. An unidentified owl that flew across the road in front of a
cyclist was probably a Barred Owl.
Not surprisingly, given the ubiquitous open water in the Park, a Belted
Kingfisher was seen on December 17. Two Northern Shrikes were seen this
week, but the most reliable one is at the calf pasture, where it seems
to have taken up residence. A Winter Wren was found in "the fingers",
and a very late Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the same general area on
December 17. A high count of 41 American Robins was recorded on the
Christmas Bird Count. A Swamp Sparrow was in the south-west corner of
the marsh on December 15. Snow Buntings, as many as 70, can usually be
found on Gull Island. The Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles at
83 Bayshore Road have not been seen for a few days.
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. Gull Island is once again an island,
the connection to the mainland having been severed during a recent
storm. Visitors to Gull Island should be prepared to wade through
knee-deep water in which there is often a swift current and a substrate
that is somewhat uneven. Hip waders are essential, even when the water
is calm, and are inadequate when the water is rough. The surrounding
shoreline can be very slippery.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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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.
