Presqu'ile Provincial Park continues to be a hot spot for winter
birding. Observers can find a number of species not commonly found in
winter, especially water birds, as long as there is open water, of which
there has been plenty in the past week.
On most days, one or two TRUMPETER SWANS can be seen and/or heard among
the hundreds of MUTE SWANS in Presqu'ile Bay. On January 17, six
TUNDRA SWANS were also there. Two GADWALLS that were there on January
15 have not been seen since. The number of CANVASBACKS, while still in
single digits, is rising day by day, as is the number of REDHEADS, now
over 100. No one has been able to find a LESSER SCAUP among the
hundreds of GREATER SCAUP, which is not surprising, given that the two
species are almost identical. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS can easily be found
both in the bay and in the open water of Lake Ontario. Today was the
first day that the BARROW'S GOLDENEYE first detected almost two weeks
ago could not be found, but it seems unlikely that it has left
Presqu'ile waters altogether. A male HOODED MERGANSER has been in
Presqu'ile Bay since January 17. A lone RUDDY DUCK was swimming near
the Salt Point lighthouse on January 20.
A NORTHERN HARRIER was on Gull Island on January 16. On January 18, the
WILD TURKEY that has entertained Bayshore Road residents and visitors
periodically for weeks repeated its jay-walking habit in front of a
passing car. Do jays also do that? One or two AMERICAN COOTS were off
the government dock for seven consecutive days but could not be found
today. There has been a rapid increase in the past few days of gulls of
several species, sometimes off Gull Island and sometimes on the ice of
Presqu'ile Bay. Interesting species found on at least two of the past
seven days include ICELAND GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, and GLAUCOUS
GULL, with two or more of each present. It is uncertain whether the
dark-plumaged SNOWY OWL that was in the Owen Point/Gull Island area
three times recently is the same bird as the one that was on the ice of
Presqu'ile Bay on three different days, apparently a lighter-plumaged
bird. The continued presence of numerous BARRED OWLS raises the
question of when they will be departing.
A HORNED LARK was seen again on Gull Island, likely the same individual
that has been there off and on throughout the season, perhaps wondering
why winter has not yet arrived. Both BROWN CREEPER and GOLDEN-CROWNED
KINGLET appeared on the same day at 186 Bayshore Road. A flock of ten
AMERICAN ROBINS flying overhead was the largest group seen in the Park
for many weeks. A flock of SNOW BUNTINGS can often be seen off Owen
Point. The wintering ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at the group campground
parking lot was still present today. The wintering RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
on Bayshore Road near Langton Avenue often accompanies a small flock of
EUROPEAN STARLINGS.
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 narrow channel between Owen
Point and Gull Island is normally ice-covered at this time of year, but
the ice, while appearing to be thick, might not support the weight of a
human. However, the water beneath the crust is only ankle-deep. The
surrounding shoreline can be very slippery. 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.
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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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