OVERVIEW: Between the lock-down and Christmas there was very little birding activity in the Park so once again, this report is brief.  Hopefully with the New Year at hand there will be more to report next week as birders start their “year lists”.

HOODED MERGANSER – 1 was seen on 25 Dec.

BALD EAGLE – with the ice covering part of Presqu’ile Bay this species has begun to frequent the area with near daily sightings of up to 5 birds.

BONAPARTE’S GULL – A first-winter bird was seen on 25 Dec and 29 Dec near Salt Pt. in Presqu’ile Bay.  This is a very rare species after early Dec. in all but the most mild of winters.

HERMIT THRUSH – 1 was seen on 27 Dec and 29 Dec along the paved walking path that runs between Lighthouse Lane and Paxton Dr.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – reported through the week at feeders along Bayshore Rd with a high of 5 on 26 Dec.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD – small numbers seen at feeders along Bayshore Rd. with a high of 4 on 26 Dec. 

WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL – 12 on 31 Dec in spruce along Paxton Dr. just east of Atkins Land was the only report, but it is likely that small numbers are floating about.

COMMON REDPOLL – small numbers seen through the week with a high of 55 on Gull Is. on 29 Dec.

Directions: Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located south of Brighton on the north shore of Lake Ontario.  It is well signed from either Hwy. 401 or Cty. Rd. 2.