2017 Birding Trip to Presqu’ile Provincial Park

by Mary Robinson

Even though the forecast was bleak and calling for weather “good for ducks”, nine avid MVFN birders set out early Saturday morning, March 25, 2017 to Presqu’ile Provincial Park for the annual Waterfowl Weekend.  Fortunately, the late forecast changed, and except for a brief drizzle the weather cooperated wonderfully.

Migrating ducks and geese need time to rest and feed in the sheltered areas of the Park before they move on to more northern and western nesting grounds, while Mute Swans tend to breed in the Presqu’ile area.  Since most of the ice is now gone from Lake Ontario, the birds were sometimes far from shore and the four spotting scopes on the trip were very much in use.  Howard Robinson, our group leader, ensured that we had sufficient time in each of the nine favourite viewing stations, including time for a lunch break at the Lighthouse on Presqu’ile Point.

Approximately 1,300 Redheads were the most prevalent duck of the day, with about 260 Ring-necked Ducks and 200 Greater Scaup being the next most common duck sightings.  Aptly-named Gull Island, off Owen Point, was home to approximately 400 Ring-billed Gulls and 150 Herring Gulls.   A Downy Woodpecker, frozen in place for well over a minute on the side of a bird-feeder was an unusual sight for most of us, but it is known behaviour for this species when there is a predator about.  Excellent views of a mature Bald Eagle hunting low over the water at the Calf Pasture impressed us all.  Sure signs of spring were the song of a Song Sparrow, and the sighting of a Turkey Vulture soaring low over the town of Brighton.  Other highlights included Green-winged Teals, Long-tailed Ducks, one Great Black-backed Gull, and a raft of mixed ducks “escorting” a single Mute Swan, although in total we saw 32 Mute Swans.

At the end of the day, the total number of species seen collectively by the group was forty-seven, as listed below.  Some of us spotted birds on the car trip to and from Presqu’ile, but only those species exceptional to the Park are noted separately.  All in all, it was an excellent outing and well worth the trip, especially if one wants to hone  identification skills and knowledge of waterfowl.  Special thanks to Peter Blancher and Michel Gauthier for their expertise and advice with the species list.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park/nearby viewing stations

En-route (to and from Brighton, ON)

39  American Kestrel

40  American Goldfinch

41  Common Raven

42  European Starling

43  Red-tailed Hawk

44  Rock pigeon

45  Rough-legged Hawk

46  Turkey Vulture

47  Wild Turkey