As in most of southern Ontario, winter conditions persist at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park, and the preponderance of bird sightings reflects that.
Swans have been the flavour of the week. Hundreds of MUTE SWANS have
been in Presqu'ile Bay all week, even when it is frozen over. The high
count was a record 586 individuals on January 18. In addition, the two
adult and two immature TRUMPETER SWANS mentioned in last week's report
were also there on that day and two TUNDRA SWANS, the first of the
season, were there yesterday. The hoped for influx of REDHEADS in the
wake of last weekend's short-lived mild spell failed to materialize, but
a female CANVASBACK on January 18 and a male RING-NECKED DUCK on January
19 were welcome substitutes. RUFFED GROUSE are year-round residents of
the Park, but are seldom seen, an exception occurring on January 20. A
few interesting raptors have been around, most notably BALD EAGLES.
They were hanging around the ice of Presqu'ile Bay from January 16 -19,
with four seen at once on January 18. They are not likely far away,
even now; in fact, one flew past just after this was written. A
NORTHERN HARRIER and two different COOPER'S HAWKS were also seen, an
adult of the latter that sat and monitored a bird feeder for almost an
hour and a juvenile that flew in from across the bay. Just outside the
Park, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK has been seen repeatedly at the south end of
Ontario Street, probably the same bird that frequented that area last
winter. A few RED-TAILED HAWKS round out that group. Three RING-BILLED
GULLS, the first of the season, were seen on January 18. Not to be
outdone by the hawks, a few owls have also been seen this week: a lone
remaining SNOWY OWL yesterday, a BARRED OWL on January 19, and the prize
bird of the week, a LONG-EARED OWL, discovered by crows, that was seen
several times on January 16 but has not been found since then.
A PILEATED WOODPECKER was again seen this week. NORTHERN SHRIKES were
seen in widely separated parts of the Park. A HERMIT THRUSH near the
lighthouse on January 16 was nowhere near the one seen two days
earlier. A flock of 25 AMERICAN ROBINS has been taking advantage of the
unusual presence (in January) of an extensive lawn. CEDAR WAXWINGS have
been absent all winter but two flocks appeared this week not far from
Presqu'ile, so these wanderers may soon show up. A flock of 10-15 SNOW
BUNTINGS was on Gull Island last Saturday. The PINE WARBLER present for
the past weeks continues to be a regular visitor at the bird sightings
board feeder, where a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was also seen on January 16
and 17. Another WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
continue to patronize the feeders at 83 and 85 Bayshore Road. COMMON
REDPOLLS are being seen daily, the largest group, variously estimated at
80-110 birds, frequenting Gull Island.
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” can walk
across
the gap from Owen Point without special footwear. Ice conditions may
make for slippery walking. 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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