[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 24, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

One is tempted to gush over birding opportunities in Presqu'ile 
Provincial Park, but with both Presqu'ile Bay and Popham Bay largely 
frozen over, one has to curb those tendencies.  Until there is another 
thaw, any gushing will have to be suspended.

The waterfowl situation in Presqu'ile Bay fluctuates according to the 
availability of open water, which, in turn, fluctuates with the wind 
direction.  On January 23, when there was open water almost to the calf 
pasture, there were a dozen noisy Tundra Swans.  The numbers of 
Canvasbacks (12), Redheads (90), Ring-necked Ducks (1), Greater Scaup 
(600), and White-winged Scoters (3) were all lower on that date than 
they had been on January 19.  To my knowledge, no one has recently found 
the Harlequin Duck or the Barrow's Goldeneye that were off Gull Island 
earlier in the month, but few people have ventured out there.  The 
American Coot was still with the ducks on January 19.

An immature Bald Eagle was present on three consecutive days, and an 
adult soared over Gull Island on January 24.  A Sharp-shinned Hawk and a 
Red-tailed Hawk were the only other raptors noticed in the Park this week.

Two Carolina Wrens were observed on January 19, one at 83 Bayshore Road 
and the other at 186 Bayshore Road, where it has been seen every day 
since then (in fact, on most days since mid-October).  The woods are 
lovely, dark, and deep, but almost devoid of bird life these days.  No 
doubt there are owls and grouse lurking therein, but no one has reported 
seeing any for some time.  A Song Sparrow and a White-throated Sparrow 
that have been wintering at 83 and 85 Bayshore Road were both seen 
during the past week. Nine Snow Buntings were at Owen Point this 
afternoon.  The lone remaining Common Grackle (down from five in 
mid-December and three in early January) spends much of its time at the 
feeding tray at 186 Bayshore Road.  A flock of two dozen or more Common 
Redpolls has been making sporadic visits there as well.

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.