Presqu'ile Provincial Park continues to harbour a good variety of winter
birds, but no exceptional rarities have appeared recently. Who knows
what surprises lie in store when an exhaustive search takes place this
Sunday during the Christmas Bird Count?
A TUNDRA SWAN was among the many MUTE SWANS in Presqu'ile Bay on
December 5. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are present in small numbers,
including a flock of six on Tuesday. Two HOODED MERGANSERS were in
Presqu'ile Bay on Friday. Twice this week a RUFFED GROUSE was flushed
close to Owen Point. A group of five WILD TURKEYS was seen on Friday.
The first December record of TURKEY VULTURE was established today when
one flew over 83 Bayshore Road. Other raptor sightings include a
NORTHERN HARRIER today, two separate COOPER'S HAWKS, several RED-TAILED
HAWKS, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. A PURPLE SANDPIPER with "a gimpy leg"
was reportedly sighted on Gull Island on Sunday and was still there on
Tuesday. Single BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen on Saturday and Tuesday.
Both ICELAND GULL and GLAUCOUS GULL were seen twice in the past week.
The high count of SNOWY OWLS was six last Friday and lesser numbers have
been seen every day this week. A BARRED OWL spent at least three days
near the lighthouse and another was seen elsewhere.
At least two COMMON RAVENS were in the Park on Monday. The
WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and
COMMON GRACKLES mentioned in last week's report were still present
today, including an unusual fifteen of the latter. A COMMON REDPOLL was
photographed on Sunday and PINE SISKINS continue to visit feeders,
though not as many as in recent weeks.
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 water that is shin-deep.
Much of the crossing to Gull Island is covered by thin and
very slippery ice, conditions that demand caution. It should also be
noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, 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] <mailto:[email protected]>.
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
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 including how to unsubscribe visit
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
Posting guidelines can be found at
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
