The past week has seen a number of newly returned migrants reaching
Presqu'ile Provincial Park, including one at a record early date.
Earlier this week, three flocks of CANADA GEESE that appeared to be in
migration passed overhead. Beginning on Sunday, TUNDRA SWANS appeared
in Presqu'ile Bay in larger numbers than during the winter. The few
dabbling ducks in Presqu'ile Bay include GADWALLS and AMERICAN WIGEONS.
We can expect the first WOOD DUCKS soon. Most of the diving ducks have
been far out in the bay, but there has been a good variety in close to
shore, including CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, LESSER SCAUP,
and HOODED MERGANSERS, the latter arriving only today at Salt Point.
The over-wintering BARROW'S GOLDENEYE has not been seen for over a
week. A PIED-BILLED GREBE at the calf pasture on February 27 was about
two weeks earlier than the previous Presqu'ile record.
An adult BALD EAGLE has been seen for several consecutive days on the
ice and in the trees around Presqu'ile Bay. Other hawks in the past
week included a NORTHERN HARRIER, a COOPER'S HAWK that made a quick pass
at a local feeder, a RED-TAILED HAWK, and a PEREGRINE FALCON eating
something on the ice. The only owls seen in the past week were a SNOWY
OWL on the beach and a BARRED OWL, both on February 26.
As in many recent weeks, there have been sightings of RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, COMMON RAVEN, CAROLINA WREN, and SAVANNAH
SPARROW. The first SONG SPARROW and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS returned on
the weekend, and numbers of the latter increased significantly today.
Apart from HOUSE FINCHES and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, there have been few
finches of any kind all winter, but this week five PINE SISKINS and two
male WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in full song were found.
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 ice-choked water of unknown
depth, in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is
somewhat uneven and 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/
