Presqu’ile Bird Report for 28 Feb – 5 Mar 2020 By Doug McRae HIGHLIGHTS: CACKLING GOOSE, LESSER BLACK-BACKLED GULL Signs of spring are obvious with a big influx of waterfowl, more gulls and a smattering of the early migrant land birds. The weather predicted for this Sunday will likely produce the first major wave of migrants. CACKLING GOOSE – Three calling birds in a Canada flock flew over the gate on 5 Mar. WOOD DUCK – Two on 2 Mar was the first of spring. AMERICAN WIGEON – One on 4 Mar was the first of spring. NORTHERN PINTAIL – One on 4 Mar was the first of spring. RING-NECKED DUCK – 12 were noted on 4 Mar among the swelling number of diving ducks. LESSER SCAUP – Three with GREATER SCAUP on 4 Mar were among the first migrants. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER – small numbers present throughout the week, mostly between Salt Pt. and the Lighthouse. HOODED MERGANSER – with the arrival of one on 1 Mar, all three mergansers are now present. TURKEY VULTURE – the first was seen flying east over the north shore on 4 Mar. BALD EAGLE – several birds were present around Presqu’ile Bay throughout the week. RED-TAILED HAWK – one seen on 29 Feb was the only report. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL – an adult was seen near Salt Pt. on 1 Mar. GLAUCOUS GULL – An immature was spotted on 1 Mar with other gulls. SNOWY OWL – one was seen on the Salt Pt. light on 29 Feb. HORNED LARK – two were heard passing overhead on 4 Mar. SONG SPARROW – the overwintering bird at the Birdhouse Nature Store was heard singing (poorly) on 5 Mar. NORTHERN CARDINAL – birds are singing everywhere now but a day count of 21 by one observer on 2 Mar was impressive. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD – hundreds are now back but many more will likely flood in this weekend with the expected warm weather. COMMON GRACKLE – a few have been present all week but they are not yet common. Doug McRae P.O. Box 3010 Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 H 613-243-4161 C