At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, as is the case throughout southern
Ontario, the date of arrival of early spring migrant birds is highly
variable from year to year and is largely dependent on weather
conditions. This year, at least up until the vernal equinox, the
arrival of most species has been delayed by a few days. Despite that,
about two dozen species have already returned to the Park. Within the
next week, another dozen can be expected.
All three species of swans were present on March 20, including three
Trumpeter Swans dueling with a Mute Swan beside the causeway leading
into the Park (where a pair consisting of those two species apparently
nested last year). The largest group of Tundra Swans this week, also on
March 20, was a flock of eight in Presqu'ile Bay. Wood Ducks were seen
on three consecutive days, Northern Pintails on five of the last seven
days, and Green-winged Teal (a pair) on March 16. Among the dabbling
ducks that have yet to return are Eurasian Wigeon, which appear almost
annually at this time of year, Blue-winged Teal, and Northern Shoveler.
Two Ruddy Ducks were around Salt Point on March 15 and 16.
The first Horned Grebe appeared on March 15, the first Pied-billed Grebe
on March 17, and the first Red-necked Grebe on March 18, all three seen
from the government dock. The first Great Blue Heron of the season flew
over on March 14 and the first Turkey Vulture on March 17.
Raptors have created a good deal of excitement at Presqu'ile this week.
Bald Eagles, an adult and an immature, gave good views to visitors in
the Park for the waterfowl festival. One of them disappointed a number
of birders who had just watched a large falcon catch a duck, by chasing
the falcon off its prey before the captor could be conclusively
identified. What was presumably the same falcon did a brief fly-by
later in the day, again eluding positive identification. The consensus
was that it was likely a Gyrfalcon. Other raptors seen in the past week
were Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Northern
Goshawk, Merlin, and Barred Owl, a respectable list for a park not noted
for raptor migration.
Three American Coots were in Presqu'ile Bay on March 16 and one was
still there three days later. Five Killdeer on March 18 were the first
of the year at Presqu'ile. The first American Woodcock of the year
should appear any day now. An Iceland Gull flew past Gull Island on
March 20.
A Belted Kingfisher flew past the lighthouse on March 15. On the
following day one observer heard a Red-bellied Woodpecker near the
government dock, but no one has been able to locate it since then. A
Northern Shrike, the first since mid-January, flew across Presqu'ile Bay
on March 18. A Carolina Wren was singing near the government dock on
several recent mornings. Both Brown Creeper and Golden-crowned Kinglet
have been seen in the past week, as have both Bohemian Waxwings and
Cedar Waxwings in separate flocks. A Song Sparrow and a White-throated
Sparrow seem to have survived the winter at feeders on Bayshore Road.
Pine Grosbeaks were found on two different days. Hoary Redpolls are
daily visitors to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, as many as three at
one time.
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. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
