[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 20, 2007.

[Fred Helleiner]

Water birds are by far the most plentiful birds at Presqu'ile Provincial 
Park these days, but the numbers since last weekend's storm (which 
caused the postponement of the Christmas Bird Count) are in stark 
contrast to the numbers that were present before that.  On the other 
hand, land birds have settled in to their winter territories for the 
most part and are now fairly predictable, regardless of the weather.

Only a single Canada Goose remains in Presqu'ile Bay, the first in six 
days.  Mute Swan numbers are approaching 300.  As many as 30 Tundra 
Swans and one Trumpeter Swan have also been there this week.  The two 
Ring-necked Ducks and the White-winged Scoter that were in Presqu'ile 
Bay up till last Friday have not been seen since.  Three Harlequin Ducks 
have appeared in the past week, a male at the lighthouse last seen on 
December 14 and two females off Gull Island on December 20.  An American 
Coot that has been at Salt Point for some time managed to survive the 
storm and the subsequent freezing of the bay and was still there on 
December 20.  One or two Iceland Gulls appeared in Presqu'ile Bay when 
Herring Gulls gathered on the ice of the bay.

Bald Eagles, both adult and immature, have become regular around 
Presqu'ile Bay, one of the immatures perhaps being the basis of a report 
of a putative Golden Eagle.  Both Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk 
were located in the past week.  A Barred Owl was found in the Hidden 
Valley campground.  Surprisingly, not a single Snowy Owl has been seen 
at Presqu'ile this winter.

A Horned Lark was found on Gull Island on December 18.  Carolina Wrens 
are visiting feeders at 85 and 115 Bayshore Road (probably the same 
bird) and at 186 Bayshore Road (likely a different bird).  A 
Golden-crowned Kinglet at Salt Point on December 17 was far from the 
coniferous woods where they are known to spend the winters.  A Song 
Sparrow and two White-throated Sparrows were at the feeder at 83 
Bayshore Road, at least until the storm covered most of the seeds on the 
ground with snow.  A flock of 25 or more Snow Buntings was on Gull 
Island on December 18.  Two Rusty Blackbirds put in a brief appearance 
at a feeder late last week.  Five Common Grackles are moving around from 
hour to hour from one Bayshore Road feeder to another, as are Common 
Redpolls, now the commonest finch at Presqu'ile.

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. Gull Island is no longer an island, 
the connection to the mainland having been established several months 
ago.  The surrounding shoreline can be very slippery.

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,
R.R. #4,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.