HIGHLIGHTS: ICELAND GULL, BROWN THRASHER, PINE GROSBEAK

It was a painfully quiet week at Presqu’ile as the cold sets in.

Apart from the typical winter ducks, very few species are lingering.  Two REDHEAD were seen on 12 Jan, a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen on 11 Jan and 3 more on 16 Jan.  A new record high count of 32 WILD TURKEY was made on 11 Jan.

BALD EAGLES were seen several times with an adult on 13 Jan, an adult and immature the next day and two immatures on 15 Jan. The only other raptor reported was an adult COOPER’S HAWK on 17 Jan.  An adult Kumlien’s ICELAND GULL was seen flying over the gate on 15 Jan in a group of HERRING GULLS along with a few GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS.  SNOWY and BARRED OWLS were seen several times during the week.

Single COMMON RAVENS were seen on 11 and 17 Jan.  A GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET was seen along the Newcastle trail on 13 Jan.  The long staying but elusive BROWN THRASHER was seen on 17 Jan.  A single RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD continued through the week at the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders just outside the gate.  PINE GROSBEAKS were seen twice with 2 on 16 Jan followed by 15 the next day.  A lone PINE SISKIN paid a visit to a feeder on 12 Jan.

Directions: Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, just south of the town of Brighton.  It can be reached from either Hwy. 401, or Cty. Rd. 2 and is well signed.  A Park map can be found in the information tabloid available at the Park gate.  Presqu’ile’s two offshore islands – Gull and High Bluff – support a large multi-species colonial bird nesting area and access is not permitted during the breeding season (10 March-10 September).