[Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 13, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

For the first time in many years (perhaps ever), the Waterfowl Festival 
at Presqu'ile Provincial Park was partially aborted last weekend because 
of horrendous weather conditions. Nevertheless, one intrepid birder was 
able to find a rare duck.  The forecast for the coming weekend is much 
more favourable, and the festival promises to be a great way to spend a 
few hours birding in the Park.

On at least three days in the past week, small numbers of Tundra Swans 
have been spotted in Presqu'ile Bay.  Gadwalls, American Wigeons, 
Northern Pintails, and Hooded Mergansers have all been present in small 
numbers there in the past week and should be arriving in larger numbers 
with the predicted shift in the wind direction scheduled for tonight.  
Although it is a little early, it is worth watching for American Coots, 
which often appear in late March and early April.  There are more and 
more Ring-necked Ducks and Canvasbacks every day.  A Barrow's Goldeneye 
was found among the Redheads along the south shore of the peninsula on 
March 8.

On March 12, an adult and an immature Bald Eagle were unwilling to share 
a small ice floe on which they took turns resting.  Both Sharp-shinned 
Hawk and Cooper's Hawk were present in the Park in the past three days.  
Twice in the past week a Glaucous Gull was seen on the ice of Presqu'ile 
Bay.

A Carolina Wren was singing at 115 Bayshore Road on March 7.  A 
Golden-crowned Kinglet was nearby four days later. A Brown Creeper was 
seen on March 9.  Both Bohemian Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings have been 
present this week, the former in flocks as large as 22 birds.  American 
Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles are the most obvious 
of the recent land bird arrivals.  The Song Sparrow at the feeder at 85 
Bayshore Road on March 11 may be the same individual that was there all 
winter, but others of that species should be returning soon.  There have 
regularly been one or two Hoary Redpolls among the Common Redpolls that 
have been making frequent visits to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road in 
the past few days.

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.  Access to the offshore islands is 
restricted at this time of year 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.