Open conditions throughout Presqu'ile Provincial Park have enabled water
birds to continue frequenting places where they can easily be observed.
At the same time, land birds have no trouble remaining hidden until such
time as snow cover forces them to gather at roadsides or feeders. There
has been enough of interest to birders to keep most of them happy, even
those misguided enough to govern their birding as if winter had begun.
The two SNOW GEESE that were accompanying other geese on the beach
through much of last month were present again this morning, though they
had not always been visible recently at other times of day, when they
were presumably off foraging in some corn field. On Sunday two adult
TUNDRA SWANS and an immature were off Gull Island before taking off to
the east. A NORTHERN SHOVELER was in the marsh on Monday, and a
NORTHERN PINTAIL continues there as a daily sighting. Three
GREEN-WINGED TEAL were there today. BLACK SCOTERS were in Popham Bay on
three of the past five days (four individuals on Sunday). A HOODED
MERGANSER was in the marsh on two of the last four days. The only BALD
EAGLE in recent weeks was reportedly sighted on High Bluff Island, where
other raptors have been seen almost every day, including NORTHERN
HARRIER, RED-TAILED HAWK, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK that is almost totally
black. Two AMERICAN COOTS were at the outer edge of the marsh
yesterday. The only shorebirds this week were DUNLINS, two on Sunday
and one today. On Sunday and Monday, over 100 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were
along the beach as far south as Owen Point, among which on Monday was
one LITTLE GULL. An ICELAND GULL was also there. Can GLAUCOUS GULLS be
far behind?
SNOWY OWLS have been a featured attraction, even gaining attention from
local media. In addition to the one that has been on Gull Island
(except when disturbed enough to relocate to one of the other islands)
for almost four weeks, one other bird sat atop the lighthouse all Sunday
afternoon, delighting passersby and photographers as well as casual
birders. On the next day, another one, or perhaps the same one, perched
beside the beach until disturbed. A BARRED OWL was photographed
yesterday along Paxton Drive before flying back into the woods. A
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER paid a brief visit to a feeder at 186 Bayshore
Road. Two COMMON RAVENS flew towards the Park on Monday. Although
wintering AMERICAN ROBINS are not unusual at Presqu'ile, the one sitting
atop a tall tree on High Bluff Island was a surprise. SNOW BUNTINGS
were seen on two different days.
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 hardly more
than ankle-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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