The return of winter conditions to Presqu'ile Provincial Park has
limited the amount of day-to-day change in bird life as well as the
amount of birder activity. On the bright side, the return of ice cover
to much of Presqu'ile Bay bodes well for the annual Waterfowl Viewing
Weekend scheduled for March 25-26, as ducks have so far shown no sign of
thinning out as seemed likely only a week or two ago.
No dabbling ducks were reported in the Park once the marsh froze over,
but two WOOD DUCKS were able to find a patch of open water just outside
the Park on Monday and one was still there on Tuesday, along with a
RING-NECKED DUCK. In addition to the thousands of diving ducks of about
eight species that have been present for the past few weeks, one female
SURF SCOTER and three WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen on March 11 and 13,
respectively. Three and four HOODED MERGANSERS were also seen on those
days. Other water birds such as loons, grebes, and cormorants will have
to wait for the arrival of southerly winds, which are expected on a few
of the coming days.
It seems unlikely that most of the AMERICAN WOODCOCKS that arrived in
late February will have survived the recent unseasonably cold weather,
but one was seen as recently as March 14. On both Sunday and Monday
three BALD EAGLES were seen, but no more were reported until this
afternoon, when a single adult flew past the lighthouse. A BARRED OWL
was the only other raptor seen. Even on the coldest days, the drumming
of woodpeckers resounded through the woods.
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. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted
at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting
birds there.
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.
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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