[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 22, 2007.

[Fred Helleiner]

The marsh at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has frozen over several times in 
the past week.  Moreover, there have been below normal temperatures 
during most of that period.  Those conditions and some inclement weather 
have discouraged birders from searching out those birds that remain in 
the Park.  However, feeders have been more active than usual.

Seven each of Gadwalls and American Wigeons and a single Northern 
Pintail are the high counts of the more uncommon dabbling ducks seen at 
Presqu'ile this week.  On November 22, a female Harlequin Duck, the 
first of the season, was off the waterfront between the amphitheatre and 
the woodpile marsh.  Both that bird and a female Black Scoter off Gull 
Island on November 20 were consorting with Buffleheads when first seen, 
suggesting that it pays to give a second look at the many flocks of the 
latter species.  There are still seven Hooded Mergansers in the unfrozen 
portions of the marsh.  A single Ruddy Duck was with the Greater Scaup 
flock in Popham Bay on November 17 and 19.  The most recent Red-throated 
Loon sighting was on November 17, but a few Common Loons have been seen 
almost every day since then.  A few Pied-billed Grebes are still present 
and three Horned Grebes on November 17 were the most recent ones of that 
species.  A Double-crested Cormorant was in Presqu'ile Bay on November 
16, and another was on the north side of the bay (outside the Park) on 
November 21.  Even after the marsh froze over, a single Great Blue Heron 
has been spotted a few times in the marsh.

Two different Bald Eagles were seen recently, one on November 16 at the 
lighthouse and another two days later flying from there to the calf 
pasture.  A Northern Goshawk flew past the lighthouse on November 19.  
Wild Turkeys seldom enter the Park and normally only one at a time, but 
a group of four crossed the road not far inside the park gate on 
November 16 and three were in that same area two days later.  There are 
still American Coots among the reeds off Bayshore Road.

The Ruddy Turnstone that has been frequenting Sebastopol Island for 
several weeks and still there on November 22 seems determined to tie or 
break the record late date of November 24.  On November 22, the 
long-awaited Purple Sandpipers finally put in their appearance.  Two 
were with the Ruddy Turnstone and three others were on Gull Island, two 
of which were with a half dozen Dunlins.  Two of the Wilson's Snipe that 
have been lingering near the causeway leading into the Park were still 
there on November 21.

A Barred Owl was seen on November 18.  An immature Northern Shrike was 
at the beginning of the Owen Point trail and an adult was found sitting 
on a lawn near the lighthouse, apparently stunned after likely having 
struck a window.  The occupants of the house are hoping that it 
recovered and went on its way without having discovered the Carolina 
Wren that has been visiting their feeder.  Another of the latter species 
was seen at 83 Bayshore Road on November 16.

A  flock of 13 American Robins near the Park store on November 19 is 
likely to remain for the winter.  Their fondness for buckthorn or other 
berries is shared by waxwings, which have been scarce at Presqu'ile this 
fall.  In the light of observations elsewhere, Bohemian Waxwings may 
soon be appearing.  American Pipits were flying around Gull Island on 
the late date of November 22, perhaps as many as 20 birds.  The latest 
sighting of a Yellow-rumped Warbler was on November 17.  A Chipping 
Sparrow and three Fox Sparrows, all very late, were at 83 Bayshore Road 
on November 16 and one of the latter was still there on November 19.  A 
White-throated Sparrow was there on the following day.  A Red-winged 
Blackbird and five Common Grackles have also been there. 

Four Pine Grosbeaks were opposite the government dock on November 20.  A 
Purple Finch visited a feeder at 186 Bayshore Road on November 18.  Over 
100 Common Redpolls and a possible Hoary Redpoll were on Sebastopol 
Island on November 22.  Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches can often 
be found at 83 and 85 Bayshore Road.

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. It should be noted that, because 
duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and 
Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Peninsula, Sebastopol Island, High Bluff 
Island, 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: FHELLEINER at TRENTU.CA.



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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.