Although most of the birds seen at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the
past week are to be expected at this time of year, the overall
impression has been one of good birding, with the usual Presqu'ile
specialties and a few other fairly interesting birds.
Along the eastern shore of High Bluff Island, visible from Gull Island,
a large gathering of dabbling ducks was present this morning, including
about 80 each of GADWALLS and AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, plus 32 AMERICAN
WIGEONS and a male EURASIAN WIGEON, perhaps the same individual that had
disappeared over a week ago from the marsh. Since there is often a
congregation of dabbling ducks there throughout the winter, there is the
possibility that the rarer of the two wigeons will remain for the
Christmas Bird Count on December 19 and thus add to the all-time list of
species recorded on that count (unless in the meantime it is spooked or
worse by the waterfowl hunters). For two days this week, NORTHERN
SHOVELERS (one or two) and NORTHERN PINTAILS, up to six at a time, were
in the marsh. A small flock of BLACK SCOTERS (nine on Tuesday and six
today) can be spotted with the help of a scope far out in Popham Bay.
The only loon reported this week was a COMMON LOON, apparently ill,
sitting on the beach and being harassed by two (unleashed) dogs. A
HORNED GREBE was off Gull Island this morning. A DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANT on November 15 and a GREAT BLUE HERON on November 17 were the
only ones of those species reported for over ten days.
A NORTHERN HARRIER and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK were seen over Gull Island.
On November 14, a PEREGRINE FALCON was seen twice, once over the marsh
and once over Gull Island, having first been spotted perched on High
Bluff Island. At this time of year, one might anticipate seeing a
GYRFALCON in that part of the Park, though the likelihood is slim. Two
WILD TURKEYS continue to dodge traffic on Bayshore Road and have also
taken to scrounging under a bird feeder at 83 Bayshore Road when they
can find their way under the surrounding deer fence. The first
significant gathering of AMERICAN COOTS of the season, about fifty, was
in the marsh off 36 Bayshore Road today. An exceptionally keen
eleven-year-old found and correctly identified, albeit with an
appropriate caveat about his uncertainty, a pair of GREATER YELLOWLEGS
in the cove at Salt Point. These late-lingering migrants were still
there three days later, and one was still there on November 17. Each day
this week on which access was permitted to Gull Island, birders were out
there searching for shorebirds, particularly the rare PURPLE SANDPIPERS
which regularly appear there in November. What they found on those
three days respectively were 2, 1, and 2 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 1, 0,
and 0 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (quite late), 0, 1, and 2 PURPLE SANDPIPERS,
and ~60, ~70, and 56 DUNLINS. Single BARRED OWLS were seen in the woods
on two different days.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are now known to be present at Presqu'ile
throughout the year, as are PILEATED WOODPECKERS, but only a few
sightings of the former and one of the latter were reported this week.
A COMMON RAVEN was at the calf pasture today. Birders at 186 and 191
Bayshore Road report sporadic sightings of a CAROLINA WREN at their
feeders. While those at 186 Bayshore were lunching the other day, the
wren entertained them at a feeder just outside their window for a few
minutes, followed moments later by a WINTER WREN. According to the
literature consulted, having that species visit a feeder appears to be
unprecedented. Two of that species were at the nearby lighthouse on
that same day. There were still six AMERICAN PIPITS on Gull Island
today. A FOX SPARROW on November 15 and a SWAMP SPARROW on November 13
were at 191 Bayshore Road. Two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and a dozen or
more SNOW BUNTINGS were on Gull Island today. Two BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS
were at 83 Bayshore Road. On November 18, a female WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILL accompanied the AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES on the feeders at 186
Bayshore Road. PINE SISKINS are also in those flocks in small numbers.
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 ankle-deep water (deeper when
there are waves) 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.
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].
--
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/
