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.
Returning from Owen Point. photo Howard Robinson
There are ducks out there! photo Howard Robinson
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.
Spot the difference. photo Howard Robinson
Escort of a Mute Swan. Photo Howard Robinson
Redheads with Lesser Scaup. Photo Howard Robinson
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
|
| 1 American Black Duck |
| 2 American Crow |
| 3 American Robin |
| 4 American Wigeon |
| 5 Bald Eagle |
| 6 Black-capped Chickadee |
| 7 Blue Jay |
| 8 Bufflehead |
| 9 Canada Goose |
| 10 Canvasback |
| 11 Common Goldeneye |
| 12 Common Grackle |
| 13 Common Merganser |
| 14 Downy Woodpecker |
| 15 Great Black-backed Gull |
| 16 Great Blue Heron |
| 17 Greater Scaup |
| 18 Green-winged Teal |
| 19 Hairy Woodpecker |
| 20 Herring Gull |
| 21 Hooded Merganser |
| 22 House Sparrow |
| 23 Lesser Scaup |
| 24 Long-tailed duck |
| 25 Mallard |
| 26 Mourning Dove |
| 27 Mute Swan |
| 28 Northern Cardinal |
| 29 Red-breasted Merganser |
| 30 Red-breasted Nuthatch |
| 31 Redhead |
| 32 Red-winged Blackbird |
| 33 Ring-billed Gull |
| 34 Ring-necked Duck |
| 35 Song Sparrow |
| 36 White-breasted Nuthatch |
| 37 White-winged Scoter |
| 38 Wood Duck |
|
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
A managed wetland bird shelter. photo Howard Robinson
Inside the shelter at Brighton. photo Howard Robinson
