It was another week of light coverage with pretty much the usual suspects noted.  The ice in Presqu’ile Bay has opened substantially and the ice-edge – where most of the duck action is – is now west of the Calf Pasture viewing station and part of the marsh is starting to open.

CANADA GOOSE – Numbers were seen moving east on several mornings this week.

TUNDRA SWAN – Our first spring migrants were noted on 11 Mar when two and three were seen.

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK– The first of spring were two on 12 Mar.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL – A single on 11 Mar was the first of year.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER – Small numbers are being seen near Salt Pt. with a high of 16 on 8 Mar.

NORTHERN HARRIER – One was seen on 8 Mar plus several later in the week.

BALD EAGLE – Several birds seen through the week.

SNOWY OWL – The only report this week was from the south end of the beach where one was seen on 8 Mar.

ROCK PIGEON – One flew past the gate on 8 Mar, which is actually quite uncommon in the Park.

AMERICAN KESTEREL – The first migrant was seen on 8 Mar.

HORNED LARK – One was heard flying over on 9 Mar.

EASTERN BLUEBIRD – A migrant flew over the gate on 8 Mar.

BROWN THRASHER – In the “where did that come from?” department, a thrasher was photographed at the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders on 6 Mar.  It may be the same bird that was seen near the Beach 1 road in early January, perhaps wintering at a nearby feeder unnoticed?

PURPLE FINCH – The first report in ages was of two birds at a Bayshore Rd. feeder on 12 Mar.

 Directions: Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, just south of the town of Brighton.  It can be reached from either Hwy. 401, or Cty. Rd. 2 and is well signed.  A Park map can be found in the information tabloid available at the Park gate.  Presqu’ile’s two offshore islands – Gull and High Bluff – support a large multi-species colonial bird nesting area and access is not permitted during the breeding season (10 March-10 September).