Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 5-11 Feb 2021 By Doug McRae
This report is primarily based on sightings gleaned from eBird, and those reported directly to me. I would be grateful to hear of any interesting sightings. You can reach me at [email protected]. Your observations are very much appreciated. If you are reporting something rare, please provide some details (exact location, ID features noted) or photographs if possible. OVERVIEW Coverage remains low. Waterfowl keep moving around based on ice cover but in general the greatest numbers are in the outer portion of Presqu’ile Bay (Government dock and east to the Lighthouse) and around Gull and High Bluff Island, especially Long-tailed Ducks at the latter site. Land birds are scattered about in the woods and field edges but most action is at feeders along Bayshore Rd. On a brighter note Cardinals and House Finches are singing in response to longer days and woodpeckers are drumming more. HIGHLIGHTS CANADA GOOSE – even though the Bay is substantially frozen a surprisingly high total of 275 was noted on 9 Feb. There are lots in area cornfields, but they don’t usually visit Presqu’ile when frozen. TRUMPETER SWAN – 2 on 9 Feb was the only report. CANVASBACK – 2 on 5 Feb indicates a few are still mixed in with the scaup/redhead flock. REDHEAD – 55 on 5 Feb was the high count. GREATER SCAUP – a flock of variable size is usually in the outer bay and peaked at 600 on 5 Feb. LESSER SCAUP – a single bird on 5 Feb represents a rare mid-winter sighting. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER – a small number remain in the outer bay with a high of 3 on 11 Feb. BALD EAGLE – birds continue to be seen on the ice of Presqu’ile Bay with a high of 3 on 5 Feb. NORTHERN HARRIER – a single was seen over the marsh on 8 Feb. COOPER’S HAWK – 1 on 6 Feb was the only report. RED-TAILED HAWK – 1 on 6 Feb was the only report. GLAUCOUS GULL – likely the same immature from last week was seen again on 5 Feb. ICELAND GULL – 1 on 5 Feb was the only sighting. As the more common Herring Gull starts to build in numbers, this species and Glaucous Gull become easier to find. HERRING GULL – 400 on 6 Feb was the high count. . As Herring Gull numbers start to build in early spring, the flocks should be scrutinized for less common species like Iceland, Glaucous and even Lesser Black-backed Gull. CEDAR WAXWING – small numbers about with a high of 14 on 11 Feb. AMERICAN ROBIN – several mobile flocks are roaming the Park with an high count of 45 on 7 Feb. COMMON REDPOLL – small numbers present through the week. Directions: Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located south of Brighton on the north shore of Lake Ontario. It is well signed from either Hwy. 401 or Cty. Rd. 2. Doug McRae Shrew Solutions Inc. 240 Presqu’ile Parkway Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 H 613-243-4161 C -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines To edit your membership settings visit the Birdnews setup page at: http://ontbirds.ca/mailman/listinfo/birdnews_ontbirds.ca. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
