[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 3, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

Excellent winter birding conditions have prevailed at Presqu'ile 
Provincial Park throughout the past week except for the one day that was 
set aside for the Christmas Bird Count.  Open water in much of 
Presqu'ile Bay afforded great waterfowl viewing until the beginning of 
this year when a snowstorm obliterated viewing and was followed by most 
of the bay freezing over.  It remains to be seen whether the birds will 
re-occupy the bay when the predicted warming trend offers them the 
oppportunity to do so.

Over 300 Mute Swans were counted late last week.  Among them were a 
Trumpeter Swan and 13 Tundra Swans.  Two of the latter were still 
present on January 2.  Six male and one female Canvasback were off the 
government dock on December 31, along with about 2,500 Redheads.  
Although both of those species seem to have disappeared in the past two 
days, the pattern in past years suggests that they will return with the 
next mid-winter thaw.  Singles of  Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup 
were both in that location late last week.  Harlequin Ducks have put on 
a good show in the Park this winter.  A young male was at the lighthouse 
on December 28 and 29, followed by three individuals off Gull Island on 
the following day, one of which was spotted in Tuesday's snowstorm.  
White-winged Scoters were present in good numbers until the bay froze 
over.  They are probably still out in the open water of the lake.  The 
most reliable of the rare ducks is a male Barrow's Goldeneye that has 
been seen in the same area consistently every day except Saturday since 
showing up eight days ago.  Look for it where Presqu'ile Bay opens out 
into Lake Ontario near the lighthouse.  Even when the bay is almost 
totally ice-covered, it swims around in the tiny patches of open water, 
diving with frustrating frequency.  Early afternoon provides the best 
lighting conditions.  The American Coot that was in Presqu'ile Bay 
before it froze over was last seen on December 31.

There have been several sightings of Bald Eagles, both adult and 
immature, in the past week, most recently in the vicinity of the 
lighthouse.  One flew past as this report was being written.  A Northern 
Harrier was at Gull Island on December 30.  A Sharp-shinned Hawk was 
attracted to feeders at 83 and 186 Bayshore Road this week, and a 
Cooper's Hawk flew past the latter address.  A Rough-legged Hawk flew 
past the day use area on December 31.  It is known that Great Horned 
Owls reside at Presqu'ile, but there have been no recent reports.  Now 
that they are vocalizing, it should be possible to find them at dusk in 
the "fingers."  A Barred Owl appeared near the Nature Centre.  On four 
of the past seven days, a Northern Shrike has been seen in various 
places towards the eastern end of the Park.
 
A surprising eight Brown Creepers and 25 Golden-crowned Kinglets were 
recorded on the Christmas (a.k.a. New Year's) Bird Count.  Single 
Carolina Wrens have continued to be regular visitors to the feeders at 
83 and 186 Bayshore Road.
A flock of American Robins totalling about a dozen birds moves around 
the Park, sometimes proving elusive.  A lone European Starling appeared 
near the lighthouse on January 3.  About nine Bohemian Waxwings near 
Chatterton Point on December 31 could not be re-located since then.  A 
flock of Cedar Waxwings was also seen in the Park in the past week.  Two 
White-throated Sparrows and a Song Sparrow are periodic visitors to the 
feeders at 83 Bayshore Road.  A Brown-headed Cowbird made one appearance 
there.  Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls are regular in the Park these 
days, and close inspection of the redpoll flocks visiting the feeders 
has revealed single Hoary Redpolls on several occasions this week.

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. 

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.