HIGHLIGHTS:

WINTER WREN

It has been another quiet week without any surprises.  Waterfowl are mostly located around the islands and the outer Bay when its not choked with ice.  Land birds are generally very scarce and most are focused on feeders. I’m going to try a slightly different format for the report where I just list species with details afterwards and see if it’s easier to get the needed information.  Feel free to email me privately with comments or suggestions.

TRUMPETER SWAN – Nine seen on 2 Feb were likely the birds that usually frequent the Barcovan channel east of Presqu’ile Bay.

MALLARD – Four seen with diving ducks on 3 Feb were the first in weeks.

CANVASBACK – Four on 1 Feb and five on 3 Feb were seen with diving ducks in Presqu’ile Bay.

REDHEAD – High count was 1000 on 3 Feb.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER – Small numbers seen most days, with a high of nine on 6 Feb.

BALD EAGLE – One on 31 Jan was the only report.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK – An immature on 6 Feb was the only report.

RING-BILLED GULL – Two on 5 Feb. This species gets quite scarce here in the dead of winter.

ICELAND GULL – At least one bird was seen on four dates this week.

SNOWY OWL – Several sightings from Presqu’ile Bay and scoped from land on Gull Is.

WINTER WREN – A bird, first found last week was relocated near Post 5 on Jobes Woods Trail on 1 Feb.

SNOW BUNTING – 12 were scoped up on Gull Is. on 2 Feb.

SONG SPARROW – An overwintering bird at the Birdhouse Nature Store was seen on 1, 2 and 3 Feb.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – An overwintering bird was seen on 6 Feb at a Bayshore Rd feeder.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD – An overwintering male was at the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders on 1 and 2 Feb.