At a time of year when the main focus of birding at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park is on water birds, much of one's success depends on
viewing conditions, which have been highly variable in the past week,
some days being completely unsuitable for trying to find and identify
birds far out in wavy water with rain and snow obscuring what there is
(and interfering with the use of binoculars and spotting scopes). On
the better days, the results have been rewarding.
MUTE SWANS have been building up for the winter, with a count of 233,
mostly in Presqu'ile Bay, on November 29. TUNDRA SWANS, on the other
hand, are never common at Presqu'ile, so a count of 13 (and an
additional seven "probables") on November 28 constitutes a large
number. A WOOD DUCK was seen from the causeway leading to the Park on
December 2. Other dabbling ducks have been vying with a periodic skim
of ice over the marsh for the opportunity to continue feeding there. On
most days, including today, there has been a male EURASIAN WIGEON there
(with a possible second one today), as well as AMERICAN WIGEONS,
AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, MALLARDS, NORTHERN PINTAILS, and GREEN-WINGED
TEALS. On November 29 there was also a male NORTHERN SHOVELER. At
times when there is too much ice in the marsh, it is worth checking the
shoal off Gull Island and the east shore of High Bluff Island, where
dabbling ducks tend to gather in early winter. GADWALLS, in particular,
are partial to the latter location, where a few dozen were found today.
A surprising five male CANVASBACKS were in Popham Bay on November 29.
The largest concentrations of ducks this week (over a thousand) have
been in the outer part of Presqu'ile Bay, towards the lighthouse. Most
are REDHEADS, but there are also many GREATER SCAUP and lesser numbers
of other common ducks and a few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. The latter are
also in Popham Bay. There has been no sign of a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE in
over a week, but that may change if more birders search for them. A
female HOODED MERGANSER was in Popham Bay on November 28. COMMON LOONS
were at the lighthouse on November 28 and off the calf pasture (two
birds) on the following day. A PIED-BILLED GREBE was off 38 Bayshore
Road on December 2.
There was only one sighting of a BALD EAGLE in the past week. Near the
lighthouse there was a COOPER'S HAWK on November 26 and a NORTHERN
GOSHAWK the next day. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was over the beach on
November 28. The two WILD TURKEYS that are now a fixture in the Park
have begun wandering farther afield, having visited the feeders at 191
Bayshore Road. It can be frustrating looking for AMERICAN COOTS in the
marsh off 38 Bayshore Road, knowing that about 90 were visible on one
day (November 29) and that they are likely there all along but out of
sight in the reeds. The only remaining shorebirds are PURPLE SANDPIPERS
and DUNLINS. Five of the former were on Sebastopol Island on November
28. Without wading across to there, they were barely visible from Gull
Island with a scope. Today they might well have been still there, but
viewing conditions were sub-optimal (to put it mildly). Three DUNLINS
were on Gull Island today, as were the first two GLAUCOUS GULLS of the
season. Perhaps an ICELAND GULL will soon appear. The only owl
reported this week was a GREAT HORNED OWL seen flying near the entrance
to Jobes' woods.
At the bird sightings board feeder, a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER has
appeared from time to time in recent weeks, including on December 1.
The CAROLINA WREN at the end of Bayshore Road appeared only twice in the
past week. About 15 AMERICAN PIPITS were on Gull Island on November
28. Two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS at 83 Bayshore Road appear to have
settled in for the winter. On November 28 a COMMON GRACKLE and a
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD were also in that vicinity, and a second one of the
latter was at 30 Bayshore Road. The only COMMON REDPOLL of the season
was heard flying over on November 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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through ankle-deep water (deeper when
there are waves, which can come up quickly) in which there is often a
swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and slippery. It
should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff
Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not available for
bird-watching on those days. 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.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [email protected].
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
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