[Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending April 3, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

There have been more birders visiting Presqu'ile Provincial Park this 
week than there have been all winter.  It is not surprising, then, that 
a good many interesting sightings were made.

The biggest flight of Canada Geese this spring occurred on April 1, with 
thousands passing overhead, including one Cackling Goose.  There were 
still two Tundra Swans in Presqu'ile Bay today.  The highlight of the 
week was the discovery of at least one and possibly three Eurasian 
Wigeons on April 2.  The one male in Presqu'ile Bay was seen in good 
light on the following day by a number of observers.  In the past, 
individuals of this species have lingered at Presqu'ile for long enough 
to allow many people to see them.  Four Northern Shovelers were also at 
the calf pasture on April 3, but the first Blue-winged Teal has yet to 
appear.  A few Ruddy Ducks have been seen on several recent days near 
Salt Point.  Most of the other expected ducks can be found on any given 
day with little difficulty, given good viewing conditions.

Three Red-throated Loons were in Popham Bay on Sunday and five Common 
Loons were off the calf pasture this afternoon.  There were at least two 
Horned Grebes at the calf pasture today, in various plumages, which 
caused some debate among the several observers as to whether one might 
be an Eared Grebe, a species of which there was also a report.  More 
Double-crested Cormorants are appearing every day.

While Ospreys are showing up north of  Presqu'ile, there has not yet 
been a sighting here this spring.  After several possible sightings of 
Northern Goshawks in the woods over the past few weeks, there was one 
clearly seen today. There is always the possibility that this species is 
again nesting in the Park, as it did a few years ago.  Two Merlins were 
seen together on March 30.  This species has also nested in the Park in 
recent years.

Two flocks of Killdeer migrated past the peninsula on March 31, one 
containing three birds and the other numbering a surprising ten 
individuals.  An American Woodcock was flushed near the lighthouse on 
March 28 and another was strutting on the snow near the Owen Point trail 
two days later.

A Northern Shrike was at the calf pasture on March 29.  A Tree Swallow 
seen on March 29 and three more on April 2 were fewer than one would 
expect at this time of year.  A Carolina Wren has put in a few vocal 
appearances at the lighthouse, most recently on April 2.  A Ruby-crowned 
Kinglet was reported there on the same day.  A few Common Redpolls are 
still visiting the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, accompanied from time 
to time by a single Hoary Redpoll, most recently on April 3.  A single 
Pine Siskin was at the feeders at 83 Bayshore Road on March 29.

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.