The new year has been kind to birders at Presqu'ile Provincial Park,
with over 60 species of birds recorded.
Once again, the need to cull the MUTE SWAN population is increasingly
evident, with close to 500 individuals being seen today. Two TRUMPETER
SWANS were among them today and about six TUNDRA SWANS yesterday. Six
dabbling duck species is an unusual count for January. They include a
female WOOD DUCK yesterday and today off Salt Point, two GADWALLS on
Sunday off Gull Island, and an AMERICAN WIGEON and one or perhaps two
male NORTHERN PINTAILS at Owen Point on Sunday. Among diving ducks
there was a female CANVASBACK among the hundreds of REDHEADS off Salt
Point, a precursor to larger numbers that will soon begin appearing.
Both male and female RING-NECKED DUCKS, unusual in winter, have been
seen among the hundreds of GREATER SCAUP. Two LESSER SCAUP, also
somewhat unusual in winter, were also seen today. A few WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS, up to six at a time, are still present. One has to wonder
whether a HARLEQUIN DUCK might be among the hundreds of other ducks.
Twice this week a RUFFED GROUSE was seen budding in the trees, and their
tracks in the snow have also been noted. The five elusive WILD TURKEYS
that have been seen periodically around the west end of the calf pasture
for several weeks were out in the middle of Bayshore Road late this
afternoon. It was nine years ago today that the only winter record of
RED-THROATED LOONS was established, and coincidentally two of that
species flew over this morning. As often happens once Presqu'ile Bay
begins to freeze over, BALD EAGLES appear on the ice and on nearby
trees, taking advantage of sick or injured waterfowl. Not surprisingly
after this week's sudden cold snap, an adult and an immature appeared in
that area. This morning two observers on Gull Island were able to
identify two NORTHERN HARRIERS, two ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and an AMERICAN
KESTREL on High Bluff Island. A late AMERICAN COOT has been off Salt
Point for the past two days. Most shorebirds are rare in winter, so the
sight of seven of them on Sunday representing three species, pleased a
good number of birders. There was one SANDERLING, the latest on record,
on Gull Island, and it was accompanied by five PURPLE SANDPIPERS and a
DUNLIN. By today, only three remained, the SANDERLING, establishing
another new record, and two PURPLE SANDPIPERS. BONAPARTE'S GULLS are
also rare in January at Presqu'ile, yet 16 were at Owen Point on Sunday
and five were off Salt Point yesterday. Single GLAUCOUS GULLS were seen
on two different days. The SNOWY OWL that has been on the offshore
islands since early November was still there on Sunday but could not be
found today. Instead, two were on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. A BARRED
OWL was sunning itself by the roadside on a bitterly cold morning.
Another owl sitting on the ground among trees near Owen Point yesterday
was described as being smaller than a BARRED OWL.
Before the freeze-up, a BELTED KINGFISHER was frequenting the cove at
Salt Point. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER has been seen regularly at feeders
at 83 and 102 Bayshore Road and in between those locations. A NORTHERN
FLICKER put in a brief appearance on January 3 at 186 Bayshore Road. A
HERMIT THRUSH, seen on January 2, has not been relocated. Three late
AMERICAN PIPITS were on Gull Island on Sunday. A male RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD put in a brief appearance yesterday at 83 Bayshore Road.
This report deals with sightings within Presqu'ile Park, but as a matter
of interest, three species seen this past week within a kilometre or two
of the Park are worth noting: NORTHERN GOSHAWK, LONG-EARED OWL,
BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
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 will need to wade through water that is shin-deep when calm and may
encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are
recommended.
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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