During the past week, there has been only one day, January 13, on which
there was a break from the wintry conditions that have limited birding
opportunities in Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The corollary of that is
that bird feeders have been very active.
On January 13, Presqu'ile Bay was full of Canada Geese (~150), Mute
Swans (350), and a variety of ducks, including over a dozen Redheads,
about 150 Greater Scaup, a White-winged Scoter, and about 15 Common
Mergansers. A Red-breasted Merganser was there on January 12. About
18 Ring-billed Gulls on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay on January 13 may have
been newly returned.
An adult Bald Eagle and a Snowy Owl were sitting on the ice of
Presqu'ile Bay on January 13. Two of the latter species were on the ice
off the day use area on January 11, and one was on Gull Island on the
following day. A Northern Harrier was on Gull Island on January 12.
Northern Shrikes have been seen on the mainland and on Gull Island.
An estimated 75 American Robins were in the pannes on January 11, and
smaller groups have been seen in various parts of the Park, accompanied
in one case by two Cedar Waxwings. A Song Sparrow was at 85 Bayshore
Road on January 8 or 9, and White-throated Sparrows have been at feeders
at 42 and 77 Bayshore Road. About 50 Snow Buntings were on Gull Island
on January 11. One of the two Common Grackles wintering on Bayshore
Road has been observed to have dark eyes. White-winged Crossbills were
seen at 85 Bayshore Road on January 12. Common Redpolls are at several
feeders, but as yet no Hoary Redpolls have been detected. Pine Siskins
and American Goldfinches are by far the most numerous finches in the
Park these days.
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. The ice between Owen Point and Gull
Island, if indeed there is any, may be unsafe depending on recent wind
and temperature conditions. Beware of hidden ice patches.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: fhellei...@trentu.ca.
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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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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
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