Spring-like weather at Presqu'ile Provincial Park for the past week has
brought out many birders, most of whom have not been disappointed with
the variety of newly arrived migrants, especially waterfowl.
Several flocks of CANADA GEESE were migrating overhead yesterday. In
previous years, such flocks occasionally include SNOW GEESE, which will
again be keenly anticipated in the coming weeks. Seven TUNDRA SWANS
flew over yesterday, and after that was written, late this afternoon,
another flock of about 40 flew over. The first WOOD DUCK of the season,
a male, appeared on February 25 and was still present two days later.
At least a dozen GADWALLS, 45 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, over 100 MALLARDS,
up to seven NORTHERN SHOVELERS (one of which on February 27 broke the
record early date established last year by one day), and 85 NORTHERN
PINTAILS have made for exciting dabbler watching in the past two days.
In terms of numbers, those have been overshadowed by thousands of diving
ducks, mostly REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP, but also including over 100
CANVASBACKS, dozens of RING-NECKED DUCKS, a few LESSER SCAUP and
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, and a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS. RUFFED GROUSE
were found in three different parts of the Park. The ever-present WILD
TURKEYS have been seen again, and a lone AMERICAN COOT was present on
February 24 and 26. Both ICELAND GULL and GLAUCOUS GULL were on the ice
of Presqu'ile Bay yesterday as well as six GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, all
of which have been scarce this winter.
One or two BALD EAGLES were still present as recently as Tuesday. The
only other hawks seen this week were a COOPER'S HAWK and a RED-TAILED
HAWK. However, owls were prominent. Two GREAT HORNED OWLS were calling
in "the fingers", a SNOWY OWL sat on a cottage roof all one morning, and
a BARRED OWL was in the deepest part of Jobes' Woods. RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKERS were seen at two different locations. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was
seen twice at the calf pasture. One observer found four COMMON RAVENS
in the Park. Two HORNED LARKS flew over on Sunday. A half-heartedly
singing WINTER WREN was in "the fingers" on February 24. There was an
unconfirmed second-hand report of a PURPLE FINCH.
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 should be aware that if there is ice between Owen Point and the
island, itmay or may not support the weight of a human. Birders are
encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard
provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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