There has not been an ornithological mega-rarity at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park for some time, but the arrival of a moderately rare duck
has precipitated an influx of birders hoping to find it. Other than
that, the composition of the avifauna has not changed much from the past
few weeks, which means that there still is a good variety of birds to be
found, even though land birds are not plentiful in number.
MUTE SWANS are somewhat fewer than earlier in the month, but a small
number of TRUMPETER and TUNDRA SWANS can usually be found among them.
A couple of dozen REDHEADS are among the GREATER SCAUP in Presqu'ile
Bay, but the huge build-up that often accompanies a January thaw has not
been evident since late December. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are present
there every day. The rare duck mentioned above is a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE,
which was first noticed on January 8 and has been highly co-operative
ever since then, even if it takes some patience to locate it between
dives and occasional two-metre swells. To my knowledge, every one of
about thirty attempts to find it has been successful. It remains
consistently in an area of water around a red marker buoy off 186
Bayshore Road that can also be seen from the lighthouse.
An immature BALD EAGLE flew over the "fingers" on January 8, and an
adult has been seen here and there since then. Several observers have
found a COOPER'S HAWK recently. A MERLIN was reported on January 10. A
RUFFED GROUSE flushed along a ski trail was the first seen in the Park
since December. Also the first since December, an AMERICAN COOT was
among the scaup off Langton Avenue on January 14. Single ICELAND and
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were sitting on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay this
week. GLAUCOUS GULLS usually show up at this time of year. BARRED OWLS
continue to attract birders and photographers from far afield. The
latter are advised to consult a posting on the bird sightings board
before proceeding.
Several NORTHERN SHRIKE sightings from the calf pasture eastward almost
to the lighthouse are probably of the same individual. A BROWN CREEPER
was at the lighthouse on January 10. A CAROLINA WREN appears to be
spending the nights under the cottage porch at 83 Bayshore Road, but has
made only occasional appearances during the day. GOLDEN-CROWNED
KINGLETS have been seen along the trail that runs north from the group
campground. Feeders are still hosting a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (83
Bayshore Road), a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (group campground parking lot),
and at least one RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (85 Bayshore Road and places nearby).
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 narrow channel between Owen
Point and Gull Island is ice-covered, but the ice, while appearing to be
thick, might not support the weight of a human. However, the water
beneath the crust is only shin-deep. The surrounding shoreline can be
very slippery. 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.
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