The days leading up to the Christmas Bird Count at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park looked promising until the sudden freeze-up this week, which has
driven many of the water birds out of the area, or at least temporarily
out into Lake Ontario. By the same token, the weather has driven new
birds to some of the feeders in and around the Park.
Three species of swans were in Presqu'ile Bay this week. The MUTE SWANS
now number about 300 and will likely continue to increase in numbers,
three TRUMPETER SWANS were with them on December 14, and sixteen TUNDRA
SWANS were counted on December 12. The only unusual dabbling duck this
week was a drake NORTHERN PINTAIL at Gull Island. From December 12 to
16, there were hundreds of REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP in Presqu'ile Bay,
accompanied on December 14 by three RING-NECKED DUCKS, one of which was
seen again two days later. Not a day has gone by in over a week without
sightings of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. A HOODED MERGANSER in Presqu'ile Bay
on December 14 and 16 has apparently moved on. An unhappy looking GREAT
BLUE HERON was standing on the shore of Salt Point on December 14.
A NORTHERN HARRIER was cruising around Gull Island on December 15. A
fairly good chance of seeing a WILD TURKEY can be had by watching the
area around Salt Point and the cottages across the road from there.
While most of the AMERICAN COOTS have been driven out of their haunts
since last week, one or two were still around on several days this week,
including today. Birders who ventured out to Gull Island on Sunday and
Tuesday were rewarded by five PURPLE SANDPIPERS and one or two DUNLINS,
as well as the remaining few BONAPARTE'S GULLS. A "white-winged" gull,
probably an ICELAND GULL, was there on December 13. BARRED OWLS
continue to be seen almost every day. Perhaps the Christmas Bird Count
on Sunday will turn up another species of owl, perhaps a LONG-EARED OWL.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE has been frequenting the area between the calf pasture
and 83 Bayshore Road. There were two HORNED LARKS on Gull Island on
both Sunday and Tuesday and a surprising nine AMERICAN PIPITS on
Tuesday. On several occasions recently, including today, a CAROLINA
WREN has been visiting feeders at 83 and 115 Bayshore Road. Pending the
results of the Christmas Bird Count, it appears that the number of
AMERICAN ROBINS wintering in the Park is down significantly from
previous years, no more than two having been seen on a single day in the
past week by one observer who is out almost every day. Two
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have taken up residence at 83 and 85 Bayshore
Road. The ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK that has been present at the feeder in
the group campground parking lot for over a month will be a welcome
addition to the long-term record of birds seen on the Presqu'ile
Christmas Bird Count if it stays for three more days. It has already
been counted in the three-day "count period" leading up to December 20.
The RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS wintering around 83 Bayshore Road were
accompanied on December 16 by two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, the only ones seen
at Presqu'ile this fall, as far as I can recall. Two PINE SISKINS were
at the same property.
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 may be 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. With hip waders
one can walk to Sebastopol Island from Gull Island, but wading to High
Bluff Island is not possible. It should also be noted that, because
duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and
Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Sebastopol Island, Owen
Point, and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching
on those days, at least 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.
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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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
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