Most of the birding activity at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past
week has centred on Presqu'ile Bay, where the strong westerly winds and
mild weather have resulted in open water over about 2/3 of the bay
(farther west than the calf pasture). Not surprisingly, that has been
accompanied by a massive influx of waterfowl, reminiscent of the
waterfowl viewing weekends of mid-March.
Among the three species of swans that are present in Presqu'ile Bay are
a single Trumpeter Swan and a handful (up to12) of Tundra Swans. The
vast majority (over 400 on one day) are Mute Swans. Thousands of ducks
arrived with the record-breaking warmth on Tuesday. Although most were
diving ducks, a pair of Northern Pintails on January 8 may be the
earliest arrival of that species on record at Presqu'ile. If the warm
weather persists, there might be Gadwalls or American Wigeons arriving
next. There are about 50 Canvasbacks and well over 1,000 Redheads that
can be seen easily from the government dock or the calf pasture.
Ring-necked Ducks are also present, with the first being seen on January
8 and at least three being seen today. A few Lesser Scaup have also
been in Presqu'ile Bay and off the west end of Gull Island. A Harlequin
Duck was off the west end of Gull Island on January 6 but has not been
re-located. Three species of scoters have been seen recently, including
five Surf Scoters off 150 Bayshore Road on January 10, good numbers of
White-winged Scoters in several areas, and two female Black Scoters off
186 Bayshore Road on January 5. The male Barrow's Goldeneye that was
around the lighthouse since December disappeared after January 8. A
single American Coot has been frequenting the area between the calf
pasture and the government dock on five of the past six days, omitting
only the one day when fog created almost zero visibility.
An immature Bald Eagle has been regularly sitting on the ice of
Presqu'ile Bay and in surrounding trees. A Northern Harrier flew past
Salt Point on January 4 and a Cooper's Hawk was perched nearby on
January 10. Both Iceland Gulls and Glaucous Gulls appeared in two
different locations on January 6, though they may have been the same birds.
In the woods, birds have been exceptionally scarce except where food has
been provided. Birders have spent hours on the trails and have come up
with only a Barred Owl (sitting in a tree at the end of Bayshore Road on
January 10), a couple of Pileated Woodpeckers, and single Brown Creepers
and Golden-crowned Kinglets, as well as a few more common birds. Two
Northern Shrikes were in the Park this week, one at the calf pasture and
the other on Gull Island. Two Carolina Wrens are also present, at 83
and 186 Bayshore Road. Ten American Robins were near the lighthouse on
January 4. A single European Starling at 83 Bayshore Road was,
mercifully, the only one of that species seen at Presqu'ile recently. A
flock of Bohemian Waxwings that was inside the Park gate on January 8
may have moved to Huff Road, outside the Park, where a flock was seen
today. A Song Sparrow, a White-throated Sparrow, and a Common Grackle
have all been seen this week at 83 Bayshore Road. A group of 25 Pine
Grosbeaks was further west along Bayshore Road.
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 no longer an island,
the connection to the mainland having been established several months ago.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
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