Much of the inner portion of Presqu'ile Bay and the marsh in Presqu'ile
Provincial Park are now frozen over, so much of the best birding is to
be done offshore and from Bayshore Road, where there are also several
active bird feeders.
There was a Common Loon off the government dock on December 2 and 3. A
Red-necked Grebe, presumably the one that was reported over a week ago,
was seen in the cove at the calf pasture on November 30 and December 2,
but that water is now frozen. The latest sighting of the Great Blue
Heron in the marsh was on November 28.
Mute Swans, frozen out of nearby marshes, now number well over 100 in
Presqu'ile Bay, and have been accompanied by about a dozen Tundra Swans
at least until December 3.
Two King Eiders, the first in several years at Presqu'ile, were off
Sebastopol Island (just north of the island) during the morning and
afternoon of December 4, consorting with the group of White-winged
Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks that have been there for several weeks.
Sebastopol Island is the small island to the north of, and formerly
connected to, Gull Island. It is possible to wade from Gull Island to
Sebastopol Island only with hip waders, and then only when the water is
relatively calm. All three of those species of ducks could be seen from
Gull Island in the morning but only with a good scope and even then
without offering satisfactory views. For those without hip waders,
three White-winged Scoters have been reliable and easy to find, when not
under water, opposite 125 Bayshore Road. A very late Ruddy Duck was
seen off the government dock on December 3.
On December 2, an adult Bald Eagle was soaring high above the peninsula
on strong north-west winds, followed soon afterwards by another large
hawk that was probably an immature Bald Eagle but was gone before a
positive identification could be made. A Sharp-shinned Hawk has been
frequenting Bayshore Road for the past week or more.
The flock of American Coots that had been feeding in the marsh was
driven out into the bay earlier in the week, allowing an accurate count
of 14 individuals to be made. The only shorebird seen in the Park this
week was a Dunlin on Gull Island on November 30. There were still two
Bonaparte's Gulls patrolling the marsh on December 1.
The Belted Kingfisher that has been at the calf pasture until December 1
can not be finding any food there now and has probably moved to another
part of the shoreline. On the other hand, the Northern Shrike that has
been in that area sporadically for some time was still there on November 30.
There were still Horned Larks on Gull Island on December 4. Many birders
are commenting on the exceptional numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches in
the Park, most of them at the various feeders. American Robins can often
be found near the junction of Paxton Drive and Atkins Lane, and
occasionally elsewhere. There was a late American Pipit at the
lighthouse on November 29. A Song Sparrow is a daily visitor to the
feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, and a White-throated Sparrow at 85
Bayshore Road, where there is also a Common Grackle and, on two separate
days, a Red-winged Blackbird and a Brown-headed Cowbird.
The first influx of Common Redpolls this fall at Presqu'ile took place
on November 29, when flocks could be found in several places where there
were birch seeds, ignoring almost totally the nearby feeders. Among
them was one Hoary Redpoll, which appeared twice on that date but has
not been seen since. Most of the Pine Siskins that were here by the
dozens last week appear to have moved on. On December 2, two Evening
Grosbeaks sat in a Manitoba maple (box elder) tree in front of 85
Bayshore Road.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT PRESQU'ILE PROVINCIAL PARK WILL BE CLOSED FROM
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8 UNTIL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, INCLUSIVE, AND ACCESS TO
BAYSHORE ROAD WILL BE RESTRICTED TO PROPERTY OWNERS DURING THAT PERIOD.
QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT (613-475-4324).
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 knee-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It
should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, Owen Point,
and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird watching on
those days.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
R.R. #4,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
Fred Helleiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving
and joining the list. As well as general information and content
guidelines.
