[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 21, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

Astronomically, spring is still a month away and meteorologically it is 
still over the horizon at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, but 
ornithologically there are signs, in terms of bird song and other 
behaviours, that it is imminent.

Waterfowl movements, as well as other bird activities, are showing signs 
of /Zugunruhe/, a term coined by German ornithologists and adopted 
elsewhere that can be loosely interpreted as migratory (or, more 
accurately, pre-migratory) restlessness.  Although Canada Geese, Mute 
Swans, and Tundra Swans remain apparently unaffected by such stirrings, 
the number of diving ducks, especially Greater Scaup, has increased this 
week to several thousand.  Common Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers have 
also become more plentiful, though still only in double digits.  The 
male Barrow's Goldeneye, a fixture opposite 186 Bayshore Road for the 
past eight consecutive days, was a "lifer" for three of the six 
Philadelphia birders who were in the Park on the weekend who had never 
before seen that species.

A Northern Harrier and a Northern Goshawk were both at the calf pasture 
within minutes of each other.  Both of the Carolina Wrens that have been 
over-wintering on Bayshore Road were singing loudly last Saturday 
morning.  Both Bohemian Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings have appeared at 
Presqu'ile this week, in separate flocks and in a mixed flock.  There is 
still a White-throated Sparrow at 83 Bayshore Road.  The Common Grackle 
that has been wintering on Bayshore Road has not been seen in its usual 
places for three days, perhaps having experienced /Zugunruhe/!  Pine 
Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls are still wandering around the east end of 
the Park.  For two consecutive days an American Goldfinch fed 
voraciously at the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, the first of that 
species seen in the Park since December, - apparently a new arrival, 
though not necessarily from the south.

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.