To non-birders it may come as a surprise that over 40 species of birds
have been seen at Presqu'ile Provincial Park since the new year began,
even though it is "the middle of winter." To birders, however, it
merely reinforces the knowledge that Presqu'ile can provide rewarding
birding at any season.
There have been thousands of waterfowl in Presqu'ile Bay this week,
including several hundred Canada Geese and Mute Swans and a few Tundra
Swans. The greatest numbers of ducks have been Redheads and Greater
Scaup, well over 1,000 of each. With diligent searching of the massed
concentrations, one observer was able to locate a drake Canvasback and a
drake Lesser Scaup on January 5 and January 3, respectively. Finding a
Ring-necked Duck there would also be a possibility. During the storm
that passed through on January 6, flocks of "/aythya/" ducks were seen
flying out of the bay, suggesting that the numbers may be diminished by
the time of the waterfowl count on January 9. A few Red-breasted
Mergansers were in Lake Ontario off Owen Point on January 3. The flocks
of ducks in the bay take to the air whenever an adult Bald Eagle flies
past, but they ignore it when it merely sits on the ice, as it was doing
on January 3 and 6. A Snowy Owl was also perched on the ice on January
1. At least one Great Gray Owl has been seen almost every day during
the past week.
The Northern Flicker that has been wintering on Bayshore Road was seen
again near Salt Point on January 5. A Northern Shrike was at the corner
of Atkins Lane and Paxton Drive on January 1. It is almost three months
since a Tufted Titmouse arrived at the end of Bayshore Road, and it
continues to be a regular visitor to nearby feeders. A flock of
American Robins can usually be found on Paxton Drive, and a flock of
Cedar Waxwings has been feeding on juniper berries along Bayshore Road.
The feeder at 83 Bayshore Road continues to attract at least one
White-throated Sparrow. Two Common Grackles paid a very brief visit to
a bird bath at 186 Bayshore Road on January 6, the first of that species
to be reported at Presqu'ile since late November. Common Redpolls are
also visiting feeders on Bayshore Road from time to time.
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. Although the channel separating
Gull Island from Owen Point appears to be frozen over, the thickness of
the ice is probably unreliable because of the underlying currents.
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.
