A Birding Paradise

Elaine Birtch — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:54:57 +0000

The month of May is a cherished time of year to view the spring bird migration. A favorite place of mine is Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada which is a stop over for birds’ migrating.

The park is a peninsula and at the tip of it, near the lighthouse are wonderful pathways to wander that enabled me to watch the magnificent birds at very close distance. There are many species in this area and these are a few that I have observed, the Scarlet Tanager, Brown Thrasher, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, American Goldfinch, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Gray Catbird and Indigo Bunting.

On numerous occasions I have located the Pileated Woodpecker on the Newcastle trail and on one day during the spring migration there was an abundance of Downy Woodpeckers in this neck of the woods which was amazing to watch.

The group camping area has many apple trees which attract a large number of different birds such as the Baltimore Oriole, Black Capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Indigo Bunting, Cedar Waxwing, and the Red-wing Blackbird, just to name a few. The environment of the beautiful apple blossoms and birds searching for the nectar makes a perfect stage. Using the vehicle for camouflage and a camera with a vibration reduction telephoto lens, allows the following of the birds for outstanding photographing.

The Marsh Board walk in the spring is a great area to see a number of wrens and if you look very close, a nest may be found in the cattails. Members of Heron family may be observed from the viewing platforms.

There are numerous waterfowl and shorebirds at the beach. During a visit in May, I encountered a Brant. At first glance I thought this bird was a Canada Goose but it seemed too small, so I took a photo for identification purposes. This picture reminds me of how fortunate I was to see the Brant passing through my area because in the winter this bird migrates to California and the Carolinas and in summer to the Arctic.

Calf Pasture Point area is a great place for watching waterfowl. At this location I was surprised to see a Mute Swan chasing a Canada Goose. No physical harm came to Canada Goose but I think it suffered a lot of stress. Many mute swans, canada geese, ducks and their babies can be found in this area. Presqu’ile Waterfowl Festival during March is another time to see many different species of waterfowl.

Later in season I have photographed the saw-whet owl along the road just past the visitor center and one winter visit I spotted the Snowy White Owl when walking Jobes’ Woods Trail. The Barred Owl and the Red Tailed Hawk also can found in park certain times of the year.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park is a birding paradise because it is a wonderful place to find birds all year and especially during the migration times.

Nature Photography

A Birding Paradise