A rare duck has appeared (or re-appeared) at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
this week, and every day brings sightings of newly arrived spring
migrants. Southerly winds are in the forecast for the next week, so we
can expect some record early arrivals.
Two WOOD DUCKS were in a wet spot this morning. A pair of NORTHERN
SHOVELERS was in the marsh on March 28 and on the shore of Gull Island
on the next day. The only dabbling duck that has not yet returned is
BLUE-WINGED TEAL. On Monday a group of visiting birders found two male
and a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYES. A birder making a subsequent search
for these rarities on the same day found one of the males mid-way
between the locations where the two were spotted. None has been found
since then. One is tempted to speculate that the male which disappeared
from the lighthouse area in February was lurking in the neighbourhood
undetected for almost five weeks, but another more likely scenario is
that these sightings are part of a regular spring movement through the
area. In early April a few years ago, one spent several days in the
same general area. The first RED-THROATED LOON of the season was
spotted far out in Popham Bay on March 28. By March 31, there were
five, and today there were seven. A COMMON LOON was in Presqu'ile Bay
today in the same territory which a pair has occupied for at least the
past two summers. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS and GREAT BLUE HERONS can
be seen on their nests on High Bluff Island from the mainland. GREAT
EGRETS should be arriving within the next few days.
Three ROCK PIGEONS flying past the lighthouse were an unusual sight. A
BELTED KINGFISHER, a NORTHERN FLICKER, and a few EASTERN PHOEBES were
among this week's new arrivals. On at least five of the past nine days
a COMMON RAVEN has been seen in the Park. The CAROLINA WREN that has
been visiting Bayshore Road feeders periodically was seen again on March 28.
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. 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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