Thursday, December 9, 2010

December 9, 2010 Presqu'ile P.P. birding

A big change since birding on Tuesday on Gull Island. With colder temperatures and lots of ice around Gull Island and Presqu'ile Bay few water birds present but still a good variety. Didn't see any of the goodies that were present on Dec. 7th but there was a injured male Green-winged Teal struggling through the ice floes at the south end of Gull Island. Along Bayshore Drive there was a nice flock of 40+ American Robins feeding on Mountain Ash berries and nearby sitting in a cedar tree an immature Cooper's Hawk was eating an American Robin. Other birds of note included a couple of Common Redpoll, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Rusty Blackbird and a Northern Shrike.

Directions: Presqu'ile Prov. Park is on the north shore of Lake Ontario, located south of the town of Brighton. Take Hwy 401 and exit at the Brighton/Presqu'ile exit (signed) then follow the park signs once in town. Maps are available at the park gate showing locations
for Gull Is., the Lighthouse etc.




An American Robin enjoying Mountain Ash berries.


The numbers of overwintering American Robins vary each winter depending on the berry crop.



Waterfowl Hunting takes place 4 days a week.

An injured male Green-winged Teal struggles through the ice floes.

With Colder temperatures now shoreline ice is building up.


A Rusty Blackbird was at the Bird Sighting Board feeder.


Northern Shrikes appear to be on the move south this season with numerous sightings across eastern Ontario. During the past week I've observed 8 individuals.

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