Presqu'ile Provincial Park continues to attract birds and birders from
far and wide. Both have begun to concentrate on the numerous bird
feeders in and around the Park. Away from those feeders, finding birds
is more of a challenge, though the open areas along and over the water
are fairly productive.
The BRANT that has been frequenting the shores of Popham Bay was still
present on November 1, and a good-sized flock flew past Salt Point on
that date. Also on that date, TUNDRA SWANS put in their first
appearance of the fall. A good variety of ducks is present, including
NORTHERN SHOVELERS, a SURF SCOTER, and a HOODED MERGANSER. Until the
past two decades, KING EIDERS appeared regularly at Presqu'ile in
November. Although they are now rare, the likelihood of finding one
seems greater at this season than during the rest of the year. COMMON
LOONS and HORNED GREBES are scattered among the other water birds on all
sides of the peninsula. The most recent DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
sighting.was on November 2. Two TURKEY VULTURES were seen on October
31. Other hawks included MERLINS on that day and the next. The two
WILD TURKEYS that have caught the eye of many people lately have been
seen twice on the shore of Salt Point, a rather surprising location.
Both SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER were found on the
late date of November 1. GREATER YELLOWLEGS were still foraging in the
marsh on November 1. As recently as November 3, there were still
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at Owen Point and the offshore islands. For
many casual observers and photographers, the highlight of the past week
has been the opportunity to see BARRED OWLS at close range. These birds
were seen every day for the past week at various locations along Paxton
Drive and on Lighthouse Lane, often referred to erroneously as "grey
owls" by the uninitiated.
Two different RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have visited the feeders at 83
Bayshore Road. An EASTERN PHOEBE was still present on November 1.
NORTHERN SHRIKES have been at three different locations in the Park,
from Gull Island to the lighthouse area. A CAROLINA WREN has made
frequent appearances at 83 Bayshore Road, and shows signs of staying for
the winter. The most recent YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER sighting was on
November 2. FOX SPARROWS were found at two different locations this
week. Two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were on the beach on November 2. PINE
SISKINS have appeared at different locations this week.
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 not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days until December 20. Birders are
encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightings board
provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park
and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed there.
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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.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
