There has been less birding activity than usual at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week, and what reports have reached me suggest that most of the birding has taken place at either the eastern or the western extremities of the peninsula, with few sightings in between and none from Gull Island. A second printing of a book entitledFor the Birds: Recollections and Rambles, by Fred Helleiner, is now available from the author (see below) for $20 plus $2.50 for postage. It is also being sold at the Lighthouse Gift Shop in the Park and at Out on a Limb in Brighton. All profits are being donated to the Friends of Presqu'ile's 25th Anniversary Environmental Fund, which sponsors long-term projects like the eradication of invasive species. This message is authorized by the Ontbirds Coordinator.

A non-birder saw two huge flocks of waterfowl fly past the lighthouse on October 20 the description of which fitted BRANT. A good number of dabbling ducks can be seen in the marsh from the camp office viewing platform. They include plenty of WOOD DUCKS, AMERICAN WIGEON, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. That is where, two years ago, a long-staying male EURASIAN WIGEON first showed up on October 26. Farther out in the bay, near the lighthouse, several large flocks of GREATER SCAUP have been dodging bullets. Among them were six CANVASBACKS, never common at Presqu'ile in fall, on October 18, a few of which were still there for the next two days. About a dozen REDHEADS have also been with those flocks on most days, and one or two RING-NECKED DUCKS and a few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS in close proximity. LONG-TAILED DUCKS and BUFFLEHEADS, as well as COMMON LOONS and HORNED GREBES, are in that vicinity almost every day now.