Although little has changed in the bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park since last week, the volume of spring migrants is still impressive
for this early date.
There are dabbling ducks of several species just outside the Park, but
identifying those within the Park is challenging because of the great
distance involved. Likewise, diving ducks remain in Presqu'ile Bay by
the thousands (mostly REDHEADS) but are so far from vantage points on
the south side of the bay (/i.e./, along Bayshore Road) that they can
scarcely be seen even with binoculars, let alone identified.
CANVASBACKS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, HOODED MERGANSERS,
and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS have all been close enough to identify.
Perhaps an AMERICAN COOT is out there among all the ducks.
Seeing the resident flock of WILD TURKEYS away from Bayshore Road has
not been reported until yesterday, when 10-12 crossed one of the trails
before disappearing into the underbrush. The only BALD EAGLE seen this
week was an adult perched across from the government dock on Monday. A
NORTHERN GOSHAWK landed for two or three minutes on a railing near the
feeders at 186 Bayshore Road before flying off empty-taloned. A
third-hand report indicates that a SNOWY OWL was on the beach recently.
There was a report of a NORTHERN FLICKER yesterday. COMMON RAVENS have
become a regular, almost daily, sighting, often detected by their
vocalizations. Two PINE SISKINS were still at 186 Bayshore Road on
March 4. A fuzzy photograph of a bird at another feeder nearby
suggested the possibility of a female EVENING GROSBEAK. The bird has
not returned. About ten SNOW BUNTINGS were on the beach yesterday. A
SONG SPARROW was photographed under the camp office bird feeder
yesterday. The most reliable location for finding a WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW continues to be 83 Bayshore Road.
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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