Bird sightings at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week have been
typical of what one might expect under winter conditions, though fewer
since the departure of a regular contributor to these weekly reports, a
loss that has been partly compensated for by the temporary visit of two
birders to a cottage on Bayshore Road and by the periodic visits of
birders coming for a day at a time.
The ~400 Mute Swans in Presqu'ile Bay seem to manage to survive episodes
of complete ice cover that sometimes last for a day or two, simply by
hunkering down on the ice with their heads tucked under their wings.
There is some (albeit faint) hope that the recently released draft
document /Presqu'ile Mainland Implementation Plan/, which describes
proposed resource management in the Park, will be a step towards the
eventual control of that invasive species. The first Canvasbacks in
over two weeks returned to Presqu'ile Bay on January 23, when two were
sighted, and up to three individuals have been seen periodically since
then. Redheads and an increasing number of Greater Scaup have also been
present all week. Three White-winged Scoters and a Red-breasted
Merganser were also present on January 23.
An adult Bald Eagle was seen on January 24, an immature was seen on
January 25, and both were seen on the following day. An adult Cooper's
Hawk visited two different feeders on Bayshore Road on January 26. Two
Wild Turkeys were just inside the Park gate on January 24. A Snowy Owl
was sitting on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay on four of the past seven
days. Not mentioned in last week's report were a Barred Owl and a
Boreal Owl near the entrance to Jobes' Woods on January 18. One has to
wonder whether the Boreal Owl and perhaps a Long-eared Owl are lurking
somewhere in the evergreen trees nearby.
Pileated Woodpeckers are among the more conspicuous forest birds at
Presqu'ile, and two were seen on January 23. A Brown Creeper, 20 Cedar
Waxwings, and two White-throated Sparrows were at 83 Bayshore Road on
January 26, and one of the latter was at 42 Bayshore Road a day or two
earlier. A Common Grackle continues to pay irregular visits to the
feeders at 83 and 85 Bayshore Road. Among the numerous Common Redpolls,
Pine Siskins, and American Goldfinches at 186 Bayshore Road and
elsewhere there was a Hoary Redpoll on two of the last seven days.
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 may be unsafe depending on recent wind and temperature
conditions. Beware of hidden ice patches.
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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