Presqu'ile Provincial Park can be a great spot for winter birding, but
much depends on the ice conditions in Presqu'ile Bay, which, in turn,
depend on the wind direction. For most of the past week, there has been
open water as far inland as the calf pasture, making for easy viewing of
many waterfowl. The presence of bird feeders along Bayshore Road and in
the Park attracts birds that are less likely to be found swimming in the
bay.
On both Monday and Wednesday of this week, three species of swans could
be seen and often heard. Yes, even MUTE SWANS make a noise, though the
whistle of the TUNDRA SWANS (of which 11 were counted yesterday) and the
honking of TRUMPETER SWANS, are loud enough to carry from one side of
the bay to the other. Most of the dabbling ducks have vacated the bay,
but a few GADWALLS remain, mostly in the open lake, and a NORTHERN
PINTAIL was seen at Gull Island on January 2. By far the most numerous
of the ducks this week have been REDHEADS, several thousand in number,
and GREATER SCAUP have also been plentiful. Among those, there have
been up to 100 CANVASBACKS, mostly off the government dock, and at least
two RING-NECKED DUCKS and three LESSER SCAUP. Two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS
have been present on three different days. The long-staying male
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE off 186 Bayshore Road displays an affinity for a
fairly restricted patch of water, in which it can be found almost any
time. Attempts to re-locate the HARLEQUIN DUCKS that were off Gull
Island in December have been unsuccessful, but it would not seem
unlikely that they are still in the area. A GREAT BLUE HERON stopped
briefly at Salt Point on December 30.
BALD EAGLES are definitely in the area. Two adults and two immatures
were seen together on December 27, though since then only singles have
been seen. A dead NORTHERN GOSHAWK was turned in to the Park office on
January 2, presumably having been found in the Park on that day.
RED-TAILED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, and PEREGRINE FALCON were also in
the Park on that date. To my knowledge, there has been only one BARRED
OWL sighting this week. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was at the calf pasture on
December 31.
When the snow cover disappeared for a period of five days, so did the
CAROLINA WREN that has been frequenting the feeders at 186 Bayshore
Road. As soon as the snow returned, however, the bird was back and has
paid visits both yesterday and today. The large flocks of AMERICAN
ROBINS that were at Presqu'ile through much of December have thinned
out, with only smaller flocks remaining. Mixed waxwing flocks were seen
on December 31 (mostly BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, about 90) and on January 2
(only one BOHEMIAN among a dozen CEDAR WAXWINGS). Three SONG SPARROWS
were on Gull Island yesterday, and at least one was there today. SNOW
BUNTINGS were there on January 3. At least two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS
and four RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS are visiting the feeders at 83 Bayshore
Road. COMMON REDPOLLS are in the park 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. The narrow channel between Owen
Point and Gull Island is now ice-covered most of the time, but the ice,
while appearing to be thick, might not support the weight of a human.
However, the water beneath the crust, if there is any, is only
ankle-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.
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 [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
