After a swarm of birders (a new collective noun) descended on Presqu'ile Provincial Park on Sunday, with satisfying results, there has been relatively little birding taking place since then.

At Gull Tombolo on Sunday, observers could see three swan species at once: MUTE SWAN, 2 TRUMPETER SWANS, 6 TUNDRA SWANS.  The mild weather has allowed several species of ducks to remain in the marsh and nearby, including AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL.  Other ducks of interest this week have been numerous WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and up to six HOODED MERGANSERS.  Ten WILD TURKEYS have again appeared in the open area around the calf pasture.  Four HORNED GREBES were seen on Tuesday.  AMERICAN COOTS can usually be seen opposite 36 Bayshore Road.  A DUNLIN was the only shorebird seen on Tuesday, but three PURPLE SANDPIPERS delighted many birders on Sunday.  There were two GLAUCOUS GULL sightings in the past week, as well as singles of RED-THROATED LOON and COMMON LOON.

An eagle seen on Sunday was too distant to be identified as to species.  ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS are now regular on High Bluff Island.  A SNOWY OWL was on Sebastopol Island on Sunday and Tuesday.  A PEREGRINE FALCON was also seen.  A late BELTED KINGFISHER was again seen at Salt Point.  A PINE SISKIN was at 186 Bayshore Road on Tuesday.  It is not clear whether the YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS visiting feeders at 83 and 186 Bayshore Road are the same bird or two different individuals.  A SONG SPARROW seen on Sunday was the first in a few weeks.  Both WHITE-THROATED  and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS have been coming to feeders.  There may be other sparrows lingering in the Park that will perhaps gravitate to the several feeders once there is a significant snowfall.

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  (now a tombolo) are now able to walk there without special footwear, but under certain conditions such as high winds there may be a few metres of water a few centimetres deep to cross.  It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Tombolo, High Bluff Island, and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days.

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.

Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: FHELLEINER@TRENTU.CA.