With the winter solstice behind us, we birders live in anticipation of
the spring bird migration and other more subtle hints of the coming
season. It was not entirely a surprise, therefore, that the first
spring migrant arrived at Presqu'ile Provincial Park today, on the heels
of the first significant thaw in over a week. Otherwise, birding in the
Park has offered fairly slim pickings this week compared to the same
period during the past few years.
There are still around 400 Mute Swans in Presqu'ile Bay, as well as at
least one Trumpeter Swan and at least one Tundra Swan. Picking out the
latter two from the masses can be a challenge, even with a good spotting
scope. The spring migrant referred to in the preceding paragraph was a
drake Canvasback that appeared on December 25 near the lighthouse, the
first since late October. A few Canvasbacks regularly appear here in
early January after an absence of a few weeks, invariably after a thaw,
and thereafter the numbers rise steadily until mid- to late March.
An immature Bald Eagle flew over near the lighthouse on December 20, and
on December 24 both an adult and an immature were on the ice of
Presqu'ile Bay. Two Snowy Owls were also on the ice of the bay on that
day, and another on December 25.
Pileated Woodpeckers have been encountered by three different observers
in the past few days. On December 20, a Common Raven flew over from the
mainland. There is a flock of American Robins near the junction of
Paxton Drive and Atkins Lane, feeding on buckthorn berries interspersed
among the pines in a plantation. The three wintering Common Grackles
near 83 Bayshore Road are still present.
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 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. Most recently, the channel was ice-covered, but the
ice, while appearing to be thick, does not support the weight of a
human. The surrounding shoreline can be very slippery.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [email protected]. q
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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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