The bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has not changed much in the past week.  Birders continue to be treated to hundreds or thousands of ducks in Presqu'ile Bay.

Dabbling ducks have been less in evidence, apparently having moved on since their arrival over a week ago.  However, CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS, and GREATER SCAUP continue in the hundreds or more.  Both RUFFED GROUSE and WILD TURKEY are the gallinaceous birds seen this week that are known to be resident in the Park but not always seen.  KILLDEER and AMERICAN WOODCOCK are two spring birds that are expected by this date but have not yet been reported here.  An ICELAND GULL gave close-up views on March 3.  Five BALD EAGLES  were on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay on March 5, and singles have been seen as recently as yesterday.   Both SNOWY OWL and BARRED OWL have been seen this week, and a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was calling in "the fingers" at dusk on March 3.

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have visited the feeders at 83 and 186 Bayshore Road this week, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER was also seen, both species being year-round residents at Presqu'ile.  A MERLIN was observed at 40 Bayshore Road.  A NORTHERN SHRIKE was at the calf pasture on three of the past five days.  Two COMMON RAVENS were seen on March 4.  Again this week, a WINTER WREN was singing in "the fingers", as was a PURPLE FINCH.  Both SONG SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, as well as a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, have been at 83 Bayshore Road.

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 may need to wade through water of unknown depth and
  is usually obscured by a layer of ice in winter.  They may also encounter a
 slippery coating of ice on the rocks.  Ice cleats are recommended.
Access to the offshore islands is restricted from March 10 onward
 to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. 

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.