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Birding Report

For various reasons (holidays, weather, health), few birders have visited Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week, but those who have done so have been rewarded with a good variety of birds.

Five adult and two immature TRUMPETER SWANS flew in and landed in Presqu'ile Bay this morning.  The marsh and the inner part of Presqu'ile Bay have been frozen for a few days, so waterfowl have been more difficult to find.  A GREEN-WINGED TEAL was present earlier in the week.  The female RING-NECKED DUCK first discovered three weeks ago is still with a handful of other ducks opposite 38 Bayshore Road.  Three small groups of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS have been seen from 186 Bayshore Road, as was a COMMON LOON this afternoon.  An adult BALD EAGLE was at Owen Point this morning.  The long-staying SNOWY OWL was still on Gull Island this morning.

For over a week, a BELTED KINGFISHER has been irregularly frequenting the Salt Point area.  A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is among the "usual" yard birds at 83 Bayshore Road.  Today for the second time this week a few SNOW BUNTINGS were on Gull Island.  On December 24, the only WHITE-THROATED SPARROW seen at Presqu'ile this winter was near Owen Point.  Two HOUSE SPARROWS have returned to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road.

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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat will need to wade through water that is shin-deep when calm and will encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks.  Ice cleats are recommended.

Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed there.