There is now typical winter birding at Presqu'ile Provicial Park. There
is an abundance of waterfowl, and passerines are concentrated around
feeders.
MUTE SWANS, TRUMPETER SWANS, and TUNDRA SWANS have all been present in
Presqu'ile Bay. Twelve GADWALLS, an AMERICAN WIGEON, two NORTHERN
PINTAILS, and two NORTHERN SHOVELERS were all unusual in mid-January.
The latter (two females that flew in, landed, and promptly flew off)
were the first January record for the Park. Up to three CANVASBACKS and
a male RING-NECKED DUCK have been regular among the REDHEADS and GREATER
SCAUP off the government dock. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS have thinned out,
but two were seen on Sunday. A HOODED MERGANSER on January 8 was the
first this winter. Two COMMON LOONS were in Presqu'ile Bay on Friday
and one was still there on Saturday.
A BALD EAGLE was seen on Friday, and two adults were on the ice of
Presqu'ile Bay today. Other hawks seen in the past week were NORTHERN
HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. An
AMERICAN COOT was in Presqu'ile Bay on January 8. On the shorebird
scene, a record late SANDERLING and three PURPLE SANDPIPERS were still
on Gull Island on January 10 but could not be found on the following
day. Seven late BONAPARTE'S GULLS on January 10 and ICELAND and
GLAUCOUS GULLS were seen, but no LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, which may be
expected soon. SNOWY OWLS have been seen both on Gull Island and more
consistently on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER makes sporadic visits to Bayshore Road
feeders. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was near the group campground. A HERMIT
THRUSH was photographed near Owen Point on January 7. AMERICAN ROBINS
have found fruit-bearing trees on Bayshore Road and elsewhere.
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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