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Presqu’ile’s Waterfowl Weekends have been an annual tradition since 1977. But the waterfowl that are the stars of the event have been coming through Presqu’ile for much longer than that.
Presqu’ile Bay is a major stopping area for waterfowl as they make their way north in the spring. Spring for waterfowl starts as soon as the ice starts leaving the bay. The ducks congregate along the retreating ice edge, diving under the ice to find areas of newly exposed food. Numbers can reach 20,000 birds on some days and twenty different species seen on one day is not an unusual occurrence.
Photo Jan 08 David Bree
This congregation of waterfowl is a world-class wildlife spectacle and Waterfowl Weekends is about introducing people to this spectacle.
On two weekends in mid-March volunteer naturalists are positioned at various viewing hides around the park with telescopes to help people find and identify the up to 25 species of ducks, geese and swans that annually use the Presqu’ile Bay to rest and feed. We also have daily children’s activities including a self-guided scavenger hunt and duck-oriented naturalist-led program at the Nature Centre.
During this weekend volunteers with scopes are situated at key areas to help visitors find and identify the different waterfowl species. The Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, open 10am to 4pm will be the "inside” focus of activity with 'ducky' displays and children's activities. The Friends store will be open and they will have snacks and warm drinks for sale. Dave Richards, the Bushnell Rep, will also be there to showcase their optical equipment and answer any questions you might have about binoculars and telescopes. Park admission, which is a Friends fundraising donation, is $8/vehicle. 2010 and 2011 season passes will of course be honoured.
Contact David at 613 475 4324, ext 225 or david.bree@ontario.ca for more information or if you are interested in volunteering.
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