The old year yielded some surprises at Presqu'ile Provincial Park before
bowing out with a blast of wind that put a damper on New Year`s Day birding.
With plenty of open water persisting in Presqu'ile Bay, thousands of
ducks have gathered there, most of which are REDHEADS, GREATER SCAUP,
and LONG-TAILED DUCKS. Among others, however, are a few CANVASBACKS,
eight on December 28 and three on the following day. WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS have been there and at Owen Point. An anonymous report of a
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was provided without any details concerning either
its location or the criteria by which it was identified. The biggest
surprise of the week was a TURKEY VULTURE that sat on the shore beside
the lighthouse on December 29 before taking off to the west. That was
the first record in meteorological winter at Presqu'ile. Both an
immature and an adult BALD EAGLE were observed at the calf pasture. A
COOPER'S HAWK was found on December 29. Not unexpectedly, SNOWY OWLS
have been seen on five of the past seven days, with three on December
29. Apparently two different BARRED OWLS were seen on December 27. The
one on December 28 may have been one of those.
PILEATED WOODPECKERS, not uncommon in the Park, will soon become more
vocal and therefore easier to find. A loud woodpecker heard tapping on
Monday may have been that species. COMMON RAVENS have also been
vocalizing this week. Four were observed on Monday.
Presqu'ile usually plays host in winter to a few birds that normally
have migrated farther south. This week they include the same ones that
have been previously reported: AMERICAN ROBINS (close to a dozen),
WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON
GRACKLES (seven or eight). Among the typically winter birds there have
been a few SNOW BUNTINGS, COMMON REDPOLLS, and a HOARY REDPOLL that paid
a very brief visit to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road along with 19 of
the commoner variety.
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 barely ankle-deep
but may have a slippery coating of ice on top.
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
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