I'm not sure whether I failed to send the report written earlier this
evening, but it has not reached me from Ontbirds. In any case, here it
is again:
The past week has been anomalous at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in that
there was an increase in the number of birders present while the number
of birds had decreased from previous weeks. That can probably be
attributed to the continuing presence of a rarity that made for some
frustrating (and cold) searches.
Even with Presqu'ile Bay freezing over several times during the week,
Mute Swans can still be found in good numbers, accompanied by a few
Tundra Swans (five on January 26 and one on January 28). Most of the
Greater Scaup and Redheads have disappeared, but three of the latter
were seen on January 31. The female Harlequin Duck that frequented the
area east of Owen Point through much of December was re-discovered on
January 29 and 30. There was also an unconfirmed report that a male and
two females of that species were in Presqu'ile Bay, most of which was
frozen over on the day in question. The highlight of the week was a
male Barrow's Goldeneye, which was seen on five of the past seven days,
always within a few hundred metres of the lighthouse.
Both adult and immature Bald Eagles were present during the past week.
A Northern Harrier was patrolling Gull Island on January 29, and a
Rough-legged Hawk was also in that area. A probable Sharp-shinned Hawk
chased a Ruffed Grouse into a window at the Park office. The latest
American Coot sighting was on January 26, when a lone bird was occupying
a tiny patch of open water near Salt Point. A Rock Pigeon, apparently
lost in a snow squall, flew past the lighthouse on February 1, a species
not often seen at Presqu'ile. There has been a Snowy Owl on High Bluff
Island, occasionally visible from Owen Point with a spotting scope.
With Horned Larks appearing elsewhere in the general area, birders
should be on the lookout for them at Presqu'ile. A Winter Wren was
discovered in "the fingers" on January 30. A welcome sound was that of
a House Finch in full spring song on January 26.
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. The channels separating Gull Island
from Owen Point are no longer considered safe to cross.
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.
