As predicted in last week's report, and coincident with reports from all over southern Ontario, Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been inundated with spring migrant birds, both waterfowl and land birds. Last weekend's Waterfowl Viewing Festival, blessed by sunny and calm conditions, was a great success, and the second of the two weekends of the Festival will take place on March 22 and 23.
A number of visitors were hoping to find grebes among the waterfowl, but none could be found until after the weekend, when a grebe thought to be a Horned Grebe was seen swimming off the government dock on Bayshore Road on March 18. Within a few days, the first Pied-billed Grebes should be appearing. Two Great Blue Herons were seen flying over the Park on the morning of March 17. Swans were the highlight of the weekend for many of the visitors. On March 16, all three species normally found in Ontario were visible in the field of a spotting scope at one time at Salt Point. Mute Swan mania, however, gripped the majority of the visitors, who had never seen such numbers of these attractive birds in such close proximity and were dismayed to learn that they are not a welcome component of Presqu'ile's avifauna. Dabbling ducks have been present in small numbers this week, including Wood Ducks, Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Northern Pintails, and two male Blue-winged Teal, the latter, on March 16, being apparently a record early sighting for the Park. Thousands of Canvasbacks, Redheads, and Greater Scaup make up the bulk of the diving ducks. There are also small numbers of Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, White-winged Scoters, Hooded Mergansers, and American Coots being seen almost every day. The best viewing locations in the past few days have been Salt Point and the government dock. Immature Bald Eagles are being seen sporadically, including one that devoured a duck on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay in full view of a number of spectators. A Northern Harrier flew over the Park on March 15. Several observers saw Killdeers in the Park on the weekend, and an American Woodcock was seen just a short distance outside the Park on March 17. There have been two sightings of an Iceland Gull recently. One was on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay on March 16 and another (or the same one) flew past near the lighthouse on March 19. Northern Flickers have been seen at various points along Bayshore Road this week. An Eastern Phoebe was at the calf pasture on March 17. One observer heard a Bohemian Waxwing flying over Jobes' Woods on March 15. Song Sparrows have been present in good numbers and singing throughout the week. An Eastern Meadowlark was at the calf pasture on March 16, and two landed briefly near the lighthouse on March 17 before moving on. The most obvious of the newly arrived land birds have been the Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds that are moving around in singles and small flocks. Two male and two female Purple Finches, the first since last year, have been patronizing feeders at 85 and 186 Bayshore Road since March 17. 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. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, R.R. #4, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Fred Helleiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
