While most songbird activity at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has
stabilized at a level reminiscent of winter birding, there continues to
be variation from day to day along the shores and in the water. In
particular, the freezing of the marsh for a couple of days earlier in
the week forced the temporary evacuation of all the waterfowl that had
been foraging there.
The Red-throated Loon that had been a regular visitor at Salt Point up
till October 23 (or perhaps a different one) put in a surprise
re-appearance on November 9, but has not been seen since. The most
recent sighting of a Horned Grebe was at the lighthouse on November 12.
A single Double-crested Cormorant appears to be lingering between the
calf pasture and Salt Point, and a Great Blue Heron is a fixture in the
marsh.
All three species of swans have been in the Park this week. Mute Swan
numbers have reached several score, the lone Trumpeter Swan in the marsh
has been seen as recently as November 10, and Tundra Swans were at Salt
Point (12 on November 10) and in the marsh (2 on November 12). Northern
Pintails have also been present in the marsh up to November 10, a
Northern Shoveler was there on November 12, and two Hooded Mergansers
were there on November 10.
A large accipiter, perhaps a Northern Goshawk, flew past the lighthouse
on November 11. Only four species of shorebirds were seen this week:
two Black-bellied Plovers on November 12, two Greater Yellowlegs on
November 9, a Sanderling on November 12, and varying numbers of Dunlins
(up to 100 on November 12). It would pay visiting birders to examine
the Dunlin flocks along the south shore of the peninsula and on Gull
Island for Purple Sandpipers.
One of the elusive resident Barred Owls was sighted east of the group
campground on November 9. A Northern Shrike was at the calf pasture on
the same day.
On most days this week, it has been possible to find 3-4 Yellow-rumped
Warblers near the lighthouse. A Bay-breasted Warbler was found on the
Owen Point trail on November 6. Chipping, White-throated, and
White-crowned Sparrows are regular visitors to the feeder at 85 Bayshore
Road. No Purple Finches have been reported at any of the feeders along
Bayshore Road since November 8.
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 shin-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.
