[Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 6, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

The long-awaited spring migration is well under way at Presqu'ile 
Provincial Park, just in time for the first of the two weekends of the 
annual Waterfowl Festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each 
day.  Frequent visitors to the Park will be pleased to learn that the 
first steps towards reconstruction of the marsh boardwalk are being 
taken this week.

A pair of early Wood Ducks was on the edge of the ice in Presqu'ile Bay 
this afternoon.  Gadwalls were in that same area earlier in the week.  
Anywhere from one to three Ring-necked Ducks can usually be spotted from 
the government dock or nearby, and a Lesser Scaup was also identified 
there.  A Hooded Merganser was seen on March 2. 

On two consecutive days an immature Bald Eagle was patrolling the duck 
flocks.  Both an Iceland Gull and a Glaucous Gull were seen today, the 
former on Gull Island and the latter on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay.  A 
Great Horned Owl was hooting at dusk one evening in "the fingers" 
opposite the Beach 2 entrance road.

A big letdown for the occupants of "The Birdhouse" at 186 Bayshore Road 
was the disappearance of the Carolina Wren that had been visiting their 
feeders all winter.  However, the one near 115 Bayshore Road was still 
singing early this week.  American Robins returned to the Park on Monday 
but have not yet been heard singing.  A mixed flock of Bohemian Waxwings 
and Cedar Waxwings was in the eastern part of the peninsula on Monday 
and Tuesday.  Red-winged Blackbirds are almost certain to be the next 
new arrivals at Presqu'ile, if they have not already come back.  Among 
the Common Redpolls periodically visiting the feeders at 186 Bayshore 
Road were two Hoary Redpolls, as recently as March 4.

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 newly 
printed tabloid that is available at the Park gate.  Access to the 
offshore islands is restricted after March 9 to prevent disturbance to 
the colonial nesting birds there.

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.