Although the birds don't seem to have noticed, there are a few signs of
spring at Presqu'ile Provincial Park: a lengthening photoperiod and the
arrival of the first T4 income tax slips in the mail. Even some of the
die-hard birders have not yet come out of hibernation. Most of the bird
life that warrants a visit to the Park is in or around the bodies of
water that are not frozen. Even in mid-January, rarities can show up,
as a NORTHERN FULMAR did 27 years ago.
A TUNDRA SWAN on Saturday and two TRUMPETER SWANS on Sunday were of
interest, and one of the latter was still off the government dock this
afternoon. Ducks of the/Aythya/ genus can be seen there almost every
day, mostly GREATER SCAUP and REDHEADS, but one or two CANVASBACKS can
usually be picked out with a scope. A male RING-NECKED DUCK has been
regular there, and two were seen today. On Sunday two LESSER SCAUP and a
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER were there.
A RUFFED GROUSE and three WILD TURKEYS were seen on Sunday. One or two
BALD EAGLES have been frequenting Presqu'ile Bay, most recently on
Wednesday. On Sunday a group of three NORTHERN HARRIERS made their way
westward overhead as if in migration, and four were seen by another
party, as well as a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. A GLAUCOUS GULL was on the ice
of Presqu'ile Bay on both Saturday and Sunday. If GREAT HORNED OWLS are
still occupying territory in "the fingers", as they have for years, they
might soon begin vocalizing. One of the two SNOWY OWLS seen on Sunday
has been seen on at least two subsequent days, often perched on a duck
blind at the outer edge of the marsh. On Tuesday a BARRED OWL was
photographed at Jobes' Woods.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen at feeders along Bayshore
Road, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER was found on Sunday. There were four
different sightings of BROWN CREEPERS this week. AMERICAN ROBINS are
always around the Park in small numbers in winter, and this week has
been no exception. One of the few signs of spring was a singing male
NORTHERN CARDINAL. One or two HOUSE SPARROWS continue to be seen around
Bayshore Road feeders.
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 may need to wade through water that is shin-deep when calm and
may be obscured by a layer of thin ice. They may also 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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