Presqu'ile Bird Report for Week of 16-22 October 2020
Overview: There was not a lot of coverage this week so the report is a little sparse. Most days were generally quiet and the diversity of shorebirds and warblers dropped overall. The crossing to Gull Island continues to get easier as the water level drops and could probably be done successfully in tall rubber boots on a glass calm day.
Highlights:
CACKLING GOOSE
RED-THROATED LOON
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
CACKLING GOOSE – 5 birds were photographed on the beach on 18 Oct.
GADWALL – 107 seen on 18 Oct is a very large number for this area.
CANVASBACK – a female
October 23, 2020 - Doug McRae
Presqu'ile Birding Report for 9 - 15 October 2020
Overview: The late season migration carried on through the week but there were no days with major movements. The outstanding highlight was a Pomarine Jaeger seen from Gull Is. – one of only a handful of records for the Park. Gull Is. continues to be the hot spot for shorebirds, as well as many other interesting birds. It is accessible by wading about 150m from the tip of Owen Pt. The water level seems to have dropped slightly but is still above most rubber boots. Landbirds were most frequently reported from traditional concentration points like Calf Pasture, the Lighthouse area, and
October 16, 2020 - Doug McRae
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 2-8 October 2020
Overview: This is my first report since the pandemic shut down in spring. I’m sorry for taking so long to start up, but I will strive to get this out by Friday from now on. I regularly scan ebird for information, otherwise I rely on observers to send/call their sightings in to me if not already posted to ebird.
Although we are well into fall there is still a good selection of lingering warblers and shorebirds around. The 3rd and 4th saw major passerine movements with hoards of kinglets, sparrows and an excellent selection of warblers moving through. Hawks also moved on these
October 11, 2020 - Doug McRae
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 13-19 March 2020
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Ontario Government has closed all Provincial Parks as part of the response to Covid-19. This includes day use facilities such as trails so there will be no further reports until the Park opens. Unusual birds seen in the general area will be posted to Ontbirds as usual.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RING-NECKED PHEASANT
There has again been very little coverage in the Park so sightings are limited.
The ice is now out of Presqu’ile Bay so most ducks are either rafting in the middle of the Bay or scattered along shoreline edges and in the marsh. For most of the week the
March 20, 2020 - Doug McRae
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 6-12 Mar 2020
HIGHLIGHTS:
BROWN THRASHER
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
March 13, 2020 - Doug McRae
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 28 Feb – 5 Mar 2020
HIGHLIGHTS:
CACKLING GOOSE,
LESSER BLACK-BACKLED GULL
Signs of spring are obvious with a big influx of waterfowl, more gulls and a smattering of the early migrant land birds. The weather predicted for this Sunday will likely produce the first major wave of migrants.
CACKLING GOOSE – Three calling birds in a Canada flock flew over the gate on 5 Mar.
WOOD DUCK – Two on 2 Mar was the first of spring.
AMERICAN WIGEON – One on 4 Mar was the first of spring.
NORTHERN PINTAIL – One on 4 Mar was the first of spring.
RING-NECKED DUCK – 12 were noted on 4 Mar among
March 6, 2020 - Doug McRae
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