A concentrated day of birding in Presqu'ile Provincial Park at this time
of year may require more effort than in other seasons but can easily
yield over 30 species of birds. One observer, for example, has seen 48
species on the peninsula since the beginning of 2009 and continues to
add at least one additional species each day. Notably and mercifully
absent from that total are Rock Pigeon and House Sparrow.
The best opportunities for observing waterfowl are from various
locations along Bayshore Road, especially the government dock. As long
as there has not been an easterly wind, which quickly fills Presqu'ile
Bay with ice, one can expect to see hundreds of ducks, geese, and
swans. As quickly as the wind changes, the bay opens up again and
waterfowl miraculously re-appear. Among others this week, two drake
Northern Pintails were there on January 5, unlike the male and female
that were there a week earlier. Canvasbacks and Redheads have been seen
on only four of the past seven days, a remarkable change from the much
larger numbers of the previous week. A male Ring-necked Duck, perhaps
the same one found on December 30, was seen on January 5 and 6. After
ice filled the bay on January 7, it could not be re-located on January 8
despite plenty of open water. A White-winged Scoter was at Salt Point
on January 8.
Two Bald Eagles were observed devouring a Mute Swan carcass on the ice
of Presqu'ile Bay on January 2. One other sighting of that species was
made on the following day. A Northern Goshawk flew past on January 6.
The resident Red-tailed Hawk was feasting on the aforesaid swan carcass
during this week, while an American Crow stood waiting its turn.
Perhaps surprisingly, there have been only small groups of gulls on the
ice of Presqu'ile Bay, and, as yet this year, none of the "white-winged
gulls" that were around last month. They should be watched for. A
Snowy Owl is still a regular occupant of its perch on the ice of that bay.
Northern Shrikes were found on January 6 and 7. A Brown Creeper stopped
briefly at 186 Bayshore Road on January 3. Not a day has gone by this
year without sightings of one or, more commonly, several American
Robins. A flock of six Cedar Waxwings was seen on January 4. About 50
Snow Buntings flew over Presqu'ile Bay on January 8. A Brown-headed
Cowbird, the first of the winter, showed up "out of the blue" at a
Bayshore Road feeder on January 5 and stayed for a couple of hours. On
the following day it was in the company of the two Common Grackles that
have been frequenting the area around Salt Point and Langdon Avenue.
Finches continue to be ubiquitous in the Park. A Pine Grosbeak near the
marsh boardwalk access road on January 6 was the first of the season at
Presqu'ile, and perhaps the first of more to come. Flocks of
White-winged Crossbills have been appearing in at least three different
areas. Common Redpolls are frequenting the feeders at 186 and 187
Bayshore Road every day now and have also been seen at 42 Bayshore
Road. Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches are also there in good
numbers, as well as elsewhere.
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 ice between Owen Point and Gull
Island, if indeed there is any, may be unsafe depending on recent wind
and temperature conditions.
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
