Presqu’ile Bird Report for 6-12 Mar 2020 By Doug McRae HIGHLIGHTS: BROWN THRASHER It was another week of light coverage with pretty much the usual suspects noted. The ice in Presqu’ile Bay has opened substantially and the ice-edge – where most of the duck action is – is now west of the Calf Pasture viewing station and part of the marsh is starting to open. CANADA GOOSE – Numbers were seen moving east on several mornings this week. TUNDRA SWAN – Our first spring migrants were noted on 11 Mar when two and three were seen. AMERICAN BLACK DUCK– The first of spring were two on 12 Mar. GREEN-WINGED TEAL – A single on 11 Mar was the first of year. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER – Small numbers are being seen near Salt Pt. with a high of 16 on 8 Mar. NORTHERN HARRIER – One was seen on 8 Mar plus several later in the week. BALD EAGLE – Several birds seen through the week. SNOWY OWL – The only report this week was from the south end of the beach where one was seen on 8 Mar. ROCK PIGEON – One flew past the gate on 8 Mar, which is actually quite uncommon in the Park. AMERICAN KESTEREL – The first migrant was seen on 8 Mar. HORNED LARK – One was heard flying over on 9 Mar. EASTERN BLUEBIRD – A migrant flew over the gate on 8 Mar. BROWN THRASHER – In the “where did that come from?” department, a thrasher was photographed at the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders on 6 Mar. It may be the same bird that was seen near the Beach 1 road in early January, perhaps wintering at a nearby feeder unnoticed? PURPLE FINCH – The first report in ages was of two birds at a Bayshore Rd. feeder on 12 Mar. 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). Doug McRae Shrew Solutions Inc. 240 Presqu’ile Parkway Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 H 613-243-4161 C