[Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 20, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, as is the case throughout southern 
Ontario, the date of arrival of early spring migrant birds is highly 
variable from year to year and is largely dependent on weather 
conditions.  This year, at least up until the vernal equinox, the 
arrival of most species has been delayed by a few days.  Despite that, 
about two dozen species have already returned to the Park.  Within the 
next week, another dozen can be expected.

All three species of swans were present on March 20, including three 
Trumpeter Swans dueling with a Mute Swan beside the causeway leading 
into the Park (where a pair consisting of those two species apparently 
nested last year).  The largest group of Tundra Swans this week, also on 
March 20, was a flock of eight in Presqu'ile Bay.  Wood Ducks were seen 
on three consecutive days, Northern Pintails on five of the last seven 
days, and Green-winged Teal (a pair) on March 16.  Among the dabbling 
ducks that have yet to return are Eurasian Wigeon, which appear almost 
annually at this time of year, Blue-winged Teal, and Northern Shoveler.  
Two Ruddy Ducks were around Salt Point on March 15 and 16.

The first Horned Grebe appeared on March 15, the first Pied-billed Grebe 
on March 17, and the first Red-necked Grebe on March 18, all three seen 
from the government dock.  The first Great Blue Heron of the season flew 
over on March 14 and the first Turkey Vulture on March 17.

Raptors have created a good deal of excitement at Presqu'ile this week.  
Bald Eagles, an adult and an immature, gave good views to visitors in 
the Park for the waterfowl festival.  One of them disappointed a number 
of birders who had just watched a large falcon catch a duck, by chasing 
the falcon off its prey before the captor could be conclusively 
identified.  What was presumably the same falcon did a brief fly-by 
later in the day, again eluding positive identification.  The consensus 
was that it was likely a Gyrfalcon.  Other raptors seen in the past week 
were Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Northern 
Goshawk, Merlin, and Barred Owl, a respectable list for a park not noted 
for raptor migration.

Three American Coots were in Presqu'ile Bay on March 16 and one was 
still there three days later.  Five Killdeer on March 18 were the first 
of the year at Presqu'ile.  The first American Woodcock of the year 
should appear any day now.  An Iceland Gull flew past Gull Island on 
March 20.

A Belted Kingfisher flew past the lighthouse on March 15.  On the 
following day one observer heard a Red-bellied Woodpecker near the 
government dock, but no one has been able to locate it since then.  A 
Northern Shrike, the first since mid-January, flew across Presqu'ile Bay 
on March 18.  A Carolina Wren was singing near the government dock on 
several recent mornings.  Both Brown Creeper and Golden-crowned Kinglet 
have been seen in the past week, as have both Bohemian Waxwings and 
Cedar Waxwings in separate flocks.  A Song Sparrow and a White-throated 
Sparrow seem to have survived the winter at feeders on Bayshore Road.  
Pine Grosbeaks were found on two different days.  Hoary Redpolls are 
daily visitors to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, as many as three at 
one time.

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.