By Doug McRae
This report is primarily based on sightings gleaned from eBird, and those reported directly to me. I would be grateful to hear of any interesting sightings. You can reach me at rdouglasmcrae@gmail.com. Your observations are very much appreciated. If you are reporting something rare, please provide some details (exact location, ID features noted) or photographs if possible.
OVERVIEW: There is less open water now with only the outer portion of Presqu’ile Bay being open (although sometimes ice choked when winds drive floating ice in), and Popham Bay off the beach is now frozen as well. Once again coverage was limited. One thing that is new is that Northern Cardinals are singing again and the increased daylight is noticeable!
HIGHLIGHTS: LESSER SCAUP, GLAUCOUS GULL, HOARY REDPOLL
TRUMPETER SWAN – 4 on 29 Jan and 10 the next day are birds venturing from the Barcovan channel just east of Presqu’ile Bay.
LESSER SCAUP – a single bird was picked out of the Greater Scaup/Redhead group on 30 Jan.
BALD EAGLE – birds are being seen daily on the ice of Presqu’ile Bay with a notable high count of 8 on 29 Jan.
NORTHERN HARRIER – two reports on 29 Jan may refer to the same individual.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK – 1 on 2 Feb was the first in weeks.
COOPER’S HAWK – singles on 2 and 3 Feb were patrolling feeders along Bayshore Rd.
GLAUCOUS GULL – there have been very few gulls around the past few weeks so an immature Glaucous with 2 Herrings on 30 Jan was a nice bonus.
CEDAR WAXWING – small parties seen through the week with a high of 20 on 31 Jan.
SNOW BUNTING – a flock of 20 near the Lighthouse on 1 Feb may have been migrants since none have wintered at this site.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – small numbers are wintering at feeders along Bayshore Rd. with a respectable high of 6 on 2 Feb.
COMMON REDPOLL – this is the only “winter” finch around in any numbers; this week’s high count was 145 on 2 Feb.
HOARY REDPOLL – this rare winter visitor was reported again with 1 seen in a Common flock on 2 Feb.
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.
Doug McRae
Shrew Solutions Inc.
240 Presqu’ile Parkway
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5014 H
613-243-4161 C
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