There has been little change in the bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park in the past week, though some species are less plentiful than before.
The two SNOW GEESE that many people saw this month were still present on
November 21. At least two groups of TUNDRA SWANS were seen on that
date. Although part of the marsh was briefly covered with a skim of
ice, most of the dabbling ducks there are still present. Among them
have been a few GADWALLS, a NORTHERN SHOVELER, and two NORTHERN
PINTAILS, one of which was still present today. The thousands of
REDHEADS that had been in Presqu'ile Bay last week have virtually
disappeared. A RING-NECKED DUCK was seen on Sunday. A few WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS can be seen on most days. Two HOODED MERGANSERS were in the
marsh for a couple of days. Stragglers of COMMON LOON and GREAT BLUE
HERON have been taking advantage of the open conditions, as have a few
AMERICAN COOTS. A NORTHERN HARRIER was dive-bombing a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
that was on High Bluff Island on two consecutive days. A large
accipiter, perhaps a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, was near the lighthouse
yesterday. A few DUNLINS and a late SANDERLING (today) were the only
remaining shorebirds. With good numbers of BONAPARTE'S GULLS along the
beach and at Owen Point these days, the possibility exists that they may
be joined by a rarer gull such as LITTLE GULL. Although there has been
no record of ROSS'S GULL at Presqu'ile, that might be the time and place
to find the first one. The SNOWY OWL first discovered over two weeks
ago was still on Gull Island on Tuesday.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was seen on Saturday and a PILEATED WOODPECKER
today. SNOW BUNTINGS and HOUSE SPARROWS continue to be seen in
appropriate places. Otherwise, passerines have been limited to what one
might expect in mid-winter.
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 at the
deepest point,
not taking into account any wave action,.in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. 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
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