Once again, it has been shown that a concentrated effort by numerous
birders, as on the recent Christmas Bird Count, reveals the presence of
more birds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park than one would suspect from
casual birding.
Between 400 and 500 MUTE SWANS as well as a few TRUMPETER SWANS and
TUNDRA SWANS have been present in Presqu'ile Bay through much of the
week. Most dabbling ducks have left but an AMERICAN WIGEON was found on
Sunday. In contrast, a good variety of diving ducks is present,
including REDHEADS, a RING-NECKED DUCK, WHITE-WINGED and BLACK SCOTERS,
a HOODED MERGANSER, and a late RUDDY DUCK on December 21. Up to four
AMERICAN COOTS have also accompanied some of the ducks that feed at the
edge of the ice off the government dock. On Sunday, a long-staying
DUNLIN with an injured leg and a PURPLE SANDPIPER were on Gull Tombolo.
Three BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen on Tuesday. Both ICELAND GULL and
GLAUCOUS GULL have been seen. A few BALD EAGLES have been feeding on
the ice of Presqu'ile Bay, including four adults this afternoon. There
have been a few sightings of NORTHERN HARRIERS, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and
SNOWY OWLS, as well as one GREAT HORNED OWL.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have been scarce at Presqu'ile this season,
unlike other places near and far, but one was found on the Christmas
Bird Count. A NORTHERN FLICKER was near the Park entrance on Monday.
On Friday a PEREGRINE FALCON was one of several species feeding off a
dead bird on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. A surprising count of 37 HORNED
LARKS on Gull Tombolo was made on Sunday. On Saturday two observers
found a WINTER WREN at 94 Bayshore Road. An AMERICAN PIPIT and about 90
SNOW BUNTINGS were on Gull Tombolo on Sunday. A SAVANNAH SPARROW with
no tail has been a regular visitor to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road,
a late SWAMP SPARROW was on Gull Tombolo on Sunday, and WHITE-THROATED
SPARROWS have been at 83 Bayshore Road (3) and at 30 Bayshore Road (1).
Although the days are getting longer (has anyone noticed?), now that
winter has begun, other sparrows and blackbirds may be converging on 83
Bayshore Road, where there are about 30 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, or other
places where there are 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 Tombolo 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>.
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0Ending December 22, 2016.
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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