Excellent winter birding conditions have prevailed at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park throughout the past week except for the one day that was
set aside for the Christmas Bird Count. Open water in much of
Presqu'ile Bay afforded great waterfowl viewing until the beginning of
this year when a snowstorm obliterated viewing and was followed by most
of the bay freezing over. It remains to be seen whether the birds will
re-occupy the bay when the predicted warming trend offers them the
oppportunity to do so.
Over 300 Mute Swans were counted late last week. Among them were a
Trumpeter Swan and 13 Tundra Swans. Two of the latter were still
present on January 2. Six male and one female Canvasback were off the
government dock on December 31, along with about 2,500 Redheads.
Although both of those species seem to have disappeared in the past two
days, the pattern in past years suggests that they will return with the
next mid-winter thaw. Singles of Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup
were both in that location late last week. Harlequin Ducks have put on
a good show in the Park this winter. A young male was at the lighthouse
on December 28 and 29, followed by three individuals off Gull Island on
the following day, one of which was spotted in Tuesday's snowstorm.
White-winged Scoters were present in good numbers until the bay froze
over. They are probably still out in the open water of the lake. The
most reliable of the rare ducks is a male Barrow's Goldeneye that has
been seen in the same area consistently every day except Saturday since
showing up eight days ago. Look for it where Presqu'ile Bay opens out
into Lake Ontario near the lighthouse. Even when the bay is almost
totally ice-covered, it swims around in the tiny patches of open water,
diving with frustrating frequency. Early afternoon provides the best
lighting conditions. The American Coot that was in Presqu'ile Bay
before it froze over was last seen on December 31.
There have been several sightings of Bald Eagles, both adult and
immature, in the past week, most recently in the vicinity of the
lighthouse. One flew past as this report was being written. A Northern
Harrier was at Gull Island on December 30. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was
attracted to feeders at 83 and 186 Bayshore Road this week, and a
Cooper's Hawk flew past the latter address. A Rough-legged Hawk flew
past the day use area on December 31. It is known that Great Horned
Owls reside at Presqu'ile, but there have been no recent reports. Now
that they are vocalizing, it should be possible to find them at dusk in
the "fingers." A Barred Owl appeared near the Nature Centre. On four
of the past seven days, a Northern Shrike has been seen in various
places towards the eastern end of the Park.
A surprising eight Brown Creepers and 25 Golden-crowned Kinglets were
recorded on the Christmas (a.k.a. New Year's) Bird Count. Single
Carolina Wrens have continued to be regular visitors to the feeders at
83 and 186 Bayshore Road.
A flock of American Robins totalling about a dozen birds moves around
the Park, sometimes proving elusive. A lone European Starling appeared
near the lighthouse on January 3. About nine Bohemian Waxwings near
Chatterton Point on December 31 could not be re-located since then. A
flock of Cedar Waxwings was also seen in the Park in the past week. Two
White-throated Sparrows and a Song Sparrow are periodic visitors to the
feeders at 83 Bayshore Road. A Brown-headed Cowbird made one appearance
there. Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls are regular in the Park these
days, and close inspection of the redpoll flocks visiting the feeders
has revealed single Hoary Redpolls on several occasions this week.
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. Gull Island is no longer an island,
the connection to the mainland having been established several months ago.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
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