[Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 27, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

Any lingering doubts about the arrival of spring at Presqu'ile 
Provincial Park have been erased in the past few days, as overdue 
migrants of several species finally appeared, some in good numbers.

Most of the thousands of waterfowl are in Presqu'ile Bay and well seen 
from the calf pasture, but among the many flocks of Canada Geese that 
went overhead on March 27 were two flocks containing single Cackling 
Geese.  It is worth watching those flocks for Snow Geese, that 
occasionally migrate with them.  A Trumpeter Swan and a few Tundra Swans 
were seen during the past week.  About 20 Wood Ducks were seen in the 
calf pasture area on March 25.   Northern Shovelers first showed up 
there on that date too, and three were still there on the following 
day.  A few Northern Pintails and Green-winged Teal have also been there.

The first two Red-throated Loons were in Popham Bay on March 24, and the 
first Common Loon was in Presqu'ile Bay on March 27, along with two 
Horned Grebes.  The first five Double-crested Cormorants appeared on 
March 27.  For several days, Great Blue Herons have been standing on the 
edge of the ice in Presqu'ile Bay, for lack of any better alternative 
short of turning around and going back south.  An Iceland Gull seen on 
March 27 may prove to be the last of the season.  The first Caspian 
Terns will soon be showing up.  Greater Yellowlegs may be the next 
shorebird species to return to Presqu'ile, as one was seen outside the 
Park today.

One of the elusive Barred Owls in Jobes' Woods was found this week.  Two 
Common Ravens apparently spent the night in the Park on March 23.  They 
were seen flying in from the mainland on that day and flying back to the 
mainland on the following morning.  One other was spotted on March 27.

One of the Carolina Wrens that has been present all winter can still be 
heard in the mornings between 83 and 131 Bayshore Road.  Bohemian 
Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings were both in the Park this week, including a 
flock of 35 of the former.  Song Sparrows descended on Presqu'ile with a 
vengeance last night and could be found in many places.  Fox Sparrows 
will likely be next to arrive.  Eastern Meadowlarks and Brown-headed 
Cowbirds have been seen on two separate days in the past week.  Most of 
the Common Redpolls frequenting the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, as 
well as the two Hoary Redpolls with them, disappeared after March 25, 
but a few of the former are still present.

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.