For birders at Presqu'ile Provincial Park there has been little reason
to beware the Ides of March or the days leading up to it from the Nones
of March. On the contrary, birding has been not only profitable but
also pleasant given the exceptionally mild weather. Some record early
dates have been established this week and spring migrants are abundant.
Among the thousands of CANADA GEESE passing over the Park on March 12
was a single CACKLING GOOSE, the earliest on record here. Many of the
MUTE SWANS have scattered from their winter concentrations in Presqu'ile
Bay, and some have settled on what appear to be their nests, which seems
remarkably early for that to happen. As a prelude to the upcoming
Waterfowl Viewing Weekend (March 17-18), the first WOOD DUCKS of the
season (two males and two females) arrived on March 10. NORTHERN
SHOVELERS may be the next to arrive. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER numbers have
been higher in the past few days than at any time this winter. A record
early COMMON LOON was heard on March 11. A PIED-BILLED GREBE was in the
marsh this afternoon. A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen on March 11.
An anonymous and undocumented report of a BROAD-WINGED HAWK on March 11
would also be a record early date (by over five weeks!) if confirmed.
The first KILLDEER sighting was on March 10, and there have been a few
sightings (or hearings) of AMERICAN WOODCOCKS. An ICELAND GULL was on
Gull Island on March 12. A BARRED OWL on March 10 and a NORTHERN
SAW-WHET OWL on March 11 were the only owls in the past week, the SNOWY
OWLS having apparently departed.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER has been regular at 83 Bayshore Road and
nearby. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was still present on March 12. A COMMON
RAVEN was heard on March 10. The CAROLINA WREN that has been wintering
around 83 Bayshore Road has become much more vocal in recent days. A
mixed flock of BOHEMIAN and CEDAR WAXWINGS stopped briefly near the
lighthouse on March 13, the first of the former species to appear in the
Park all winter. There have been several sightings of the SAVANNAH
SPARROW that has spent the winter at Presqu'ile. With spring-like
weather dominating this month, birders should be on the lookout for the
first FOX SPARROWS. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was at 83 Bayshore Road on
March 10. BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS put in their first appearance on March
14. Several interesting finch sightings were recorded: PURPLE FINCH,
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, COMMON REDPOLL, PINE SISKIN.
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].
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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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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/
