The Waterfowl Weekend at Presqu'ile Provincial Park was a great success,
with lots of birds seen, but those who waited until the following days
to visit the Park were equally fortunate, as most of the ducks, plus a
few more, have remained and are still easy to find from various
locations along Bayshore Road. Away from the water, spring is
progressing but still rather slowly, given the northerly winds of the
past few days.
Among the twenty species of ducks seen on the weekend and still today
the highlights, apart from sheer numbers, were WOOD DUCKS, two EURASIAN
WIGEONS (of which only one remains, it seems), NORTHERN PINTAILS, and
GREEN-WINGED TEAL. At Owen Point, one observer found a MALLARD/NORTHERN
PINTAIL hybrid. Three RED-THROATED LOONS off Owen Point on March 22
were one day earlier than the previous record. PIED-BILLED and HORNED
GREBES are both back, and RED-NECKED GREBES will likely be next.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS and GREAT BLUE HERONS have been in the Park
since the weekend, and GREAT EGRETS should show up by the end of the
month. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS have been both seen and heard along the
entrance road near the beach 2 access road. A WILSON'S SNIPE was also
heard there. ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS have both been seen on more
than one occasion in the past week.
Three species of owls were found in the Park in the past week: GREAT
HORNED, BARRED, and NORTHERN SAW-WHET, the latter on two different
evenings near the bird sightings board. A COMMON RAVEN was at the
lighthouse. The first TREE SWALLOW of the season was at Owen Point on
March 22. The BOREAL CHICKADEE that has been present for over two
months was still present on March 20. COMMON REDPOLLS have dwindled in
number, but a PINE SISKIN was found on the weekend.
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. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there. 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/
