There is now typical winter birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. There is an abundance of waterfowl, and passerines are concentrated around feeders.
MUTE SWANS, TRUMPETER SWANS, and TUNDRA SWANS have all been present in Presqu'ile Bay. Twelve GADWALLS, an AMERICAN WIGEON, two NORTHERN PINTAILS, and two NORTHERN SHOVELERS were all unusual in mid-January. The latter (two females that flew in, landed, and promptly flew off) were the first January record for the Park. Up to three CANVASBACKS and a male RING-NECKED DUCK have been regular among the REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP off the government dock. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS have thinned out, but two were seen on Sunday. A HOODED MERGANSER on January 8 was the first this winter. Two COMMON LOONS were in Presqu'ile Bay on Friday and one was still there on Saturday.
A BALD EAGLE was seen on Friday, and two adults were on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay today. Other hawks seen in the past week were NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. An AMERICAN COOT was in Presqu'ile Bay on January 8. On the shorebird scene, a record late SANDERLING and three PURPLE SANDPIPERS were still on Gull Island on January 10 but could not be found on the following day. Seven late BONAPARTE'S GULLS on January 10 and ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS were seen, but no LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, which may be expected soon. SNOWY OWLS have been seen both on Gull Island and more consistently on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER makes sporadic visits to Bayshore Road feeders. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was near the group campground. A HERMIT THRUSH was photographed near Owen Point on January 7. AMERICAN ROBINS have found fruit-bearing trees on Bayshore Road and elsewhere.
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.
