At this time of year, it is difficult or impossible to differentiate
between newly arrived migrants (for which birders are always hoping) and
birds of the same species that have over-wintered. At Presqu'ile
Provincial Park there is sometimes circumstantial evidence of the former
when individual birds show up at places like the lighthouse or Owen
Point where those species have been absent all winter.
With ice conditions in Presqu'ile Bay fluctuating on an hourly basis,
the comings and goings of waterfowl have been erratic, but almost always
a few patches of open water can be found by birders and birds alike. At
least two TRUMPETER SWANS were present on March 1. Three CANVASBACKS
and several REDHEADS were at Salt Point today, and a RING-NECKED DUCK
and a few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS continue to appear there on most days. A
female HOODED MERGANSER was there on March 1, as well as both COMMON and
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. A WILD TURKEY walked across Bayshore Road on
March 2. For the second time in a fortnight, a wayward grebe made its
way to Presqu'ile, this time a RED-NECKED GREBE on March 1, probably
frozen out of some other body of water. It has not re-appeared. BALD
EAGLES are still prominent around Presqu'ile Bay, with several being
seen on most days. A COOPER'S HAWK flew past yesterday. Several BARRED
OWL sightings were of interest, especially one that was around the Park
office for a couple of days, even posing overhead for patrons coming and
going to the office. Exceptionally keen spotting revealed a NORTHERN
SAW-WHET OWL this morning.
On Friday a PILEATED WOODPECKER flew across Bayshore Road. On
consecutive days, two different NORTHERN SHRIKES were found, an adult
and an immature. Whether the AMERICAN CROWS and AMERICAN ROBINS that
are being seen almost daily are newly returned migrants is not known.
CEDAR WAXWINGS are being seen from time to time. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS
have been present all winter, but the one near the lighthouse on March 1
was the first in that part of the Park in several months and was
probably newly returned. Two over-wintering COMMON GRACKLES were seen
again. COMMON REDPOLLS continue to frequent feeders here and there.
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
from March 10 onward 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].
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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