A respectable 61 species of birds were seen in the past week at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Of those, 58 were seen on Sunday, when the
Christmas Bird Count took place. No additional species were added since
then, with birders apparently taking a pre-Christmas hiatus. Next
week's report will be posted on Wednesday, covering only a six-day period.
Two TRUMPETER SWANS and 20 TUNDRA SWANS were in Presqu'ile Bay, which
remains largely ice-free. Among the hundreds of ducks, some of the less
common ones seen on Sunday were REDHEAD, LESSER SCAUP, WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER, and HOODED MERGANSER. For the second consecutive week, a group
of five WILD TURKEYS was seen. A freshly dead COMMON LOON was late.
The first December record of a TURKEY VULTURE for Presqu'ile (though not
for vultures, since a BLACK VULTURE was in the Park in December twelve
years ago) was established last week when one flew over. A BALD EAGLE
and two NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen on December 12. There were two
sightings of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK on the offshore islands. The PURPLE
SANDPIPER that has been on the north shore of Gull Island for over a
week was still there this afternoon. A GLAUCOUS GULL has been in
Presqu'ile Bay for some time and was most recently seen on December 14.
A GREAT HORNED OWL was in "the fingers" on Sunday. Of the five SNOWY
OWLS seen on the Christmas Bird Count, three were still present this
afternoon, one on the beach and one each on Gull and High Bluff
Islands. BARRED OWLS have been seen on at least three of the past seven
days.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE has been in the vicinity of the calf pasture, most
recently on December 17. A COMMON RAVEN was seen and heard. Four
WINTER WRENS were an unusual number for this time of year, as were two
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, a HERMIT THRUSH, two SWAMP SPARROWS, two
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. A RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD and a dozen COMMON GRACKLES have been sampling several feeders
on Bayshore Road, as have a few COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE SISKINS.
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 water that is barely ankle-deep.
It should also be
noted that, because duck hunting is given priority tomorrow and the next
day, Owen Point, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>.
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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