The mild weather of the past few days has had little noticeable effect
on the land birds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, but there have been a
few changes among waterfowl that may be attributed to the warming trend.
Dabbling ducks generally disappear from Presqu'ile, at least from
Presqu'ile Bay, during the winter, but a pair of MALLARDS arrived at
Salt Point yesterday, a precursor to others, perhaps NORTHERN PINTAILS,
that are often among the first to return. A male CANVASBACK and two
male RING-NECKED DUCKS have been seen regularly from the government
dock, most recently this afternoon. REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP numbers
are gradually building up. Four WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS at Salt Point
yesterday were the most seen anywhere in the Park this year.
The group of WILD TURKEYS that has been lurking around the calf pasture
was seen again on Sunday. BALD EAGLES, at least three different birds,
have been perched on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay every day since
Saturday. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK unsuccessfully gave chase today to the
birds at the feeder beside the camp office. The only uncommon gull seen
this week was a GLAUCOUS GULL on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. A SNOWY OWL
was also there on Monday. A group of feathers found at the calf pasture
yesterday was identified as coming from a deceased LONG-EARED OWL. A
COMMON RAVEN circled around the lighthouse on Sunday. A few CEDAR
WAXWINGS were at the calf pasture on Saturday. Other songbirds have
been concentrated around the various feeders and have not yet been
joined by any new species.
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 knee-deep when calm and
is often obscured by a layer of 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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