Land birds have been moving through Presqu'ile Provincial Park steadily for the past week, with none of the waves of migrants that one normally expects at this time of year. The presence of three species of rarities has drawn large crowds of birders to the Park. Two other species of rare birds were anonymously reported by way of entries on an unofficial "bird sightings" board, without any details. Unless the person(s) reporting these birds can come forward with adequate supporting documentation, these sightings must be regarded as hypothetical.
Most of the water birds that pass through here on migration have long since moved on, but there were still four Red-throated Loons in Popham Bay on May 16. While there are regular sightings of Great Egrets at Presqu'ile, the report of a Snowy Egret is one of those referred to above for which there are no corroborative details. Several flocks of Brant were seen during the past week, most recently on May 22, mostly flying by. A few were resting briefly on Gull Island. No one has yet seen the Yellow Rail that has been heard frequently at the start of the marsh boardwalk for almost two weeks. Its vocalizations are more sporadic than when it was first discovered. In addition to the 117 shorebirds of ten species seen along the beach and at Owen Point and Gull Island on May 22, three other species were seen during the past week. The highlights were Short-billed Dowitcher on May 16, Pectoral Sandpiper on May 18, White-rumped Sandpiper on May 19 and 22, two Semipalmated Sandpipers on May 22, and two Whimbrels that stayed for a brief rest off Owen Point on May 21 before being put to flight by a passing Red-tailed Hawk. Up to five Black-bellied Plovers are being seen almost every day. There were still six Bonaparte's Gulls off Owen Point on May 16, and a Glaucous Gull on the beach on May 16. The first White-winged Dove found at Presqu'ile stayed for only three days, being last seen on May 17. The goatsucker family was well represented during the past week, with a Common Nighthawk being seen at the lighthouse on May 16 and a Whip-poor-will sitting in a cedar tree at 186 Bayshore Road on May 18. Chimney Swifts were seen near the lighthouse on May 19 (1) and 21 (5). Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen on three different days, including two on May 20. One of these was coming regularly to a feeder at 191 Bayshore Road. A Yellow-throated Vireo appeared near the lighthouse on May 20. A Horned Lark on the beach on May 16 was late in the season. Two Carolina Wrens were vocal early in the mornings of May 16 and 17. The one at the lighthouse has not been seen or heard since May 19 but the one in the vicinity of 87 Bayshore Road was still calling loudly on May 22. The fact that only one Swainson's Thrush has yet been reported in the Park (May 19) suggests that there are still many songbirds that will be returning in the next week or two. A Northern Mockingbird was tracked independently by several observers on May 18 as it moved along Bayshore Road towards the lighthouse and back again. The composition of the warbler flocks in the Park recently consists of an interesting mixture of early species such as Yellow-rumped, Palm, and Black-and-white Warblers and end-of-season species such as Blackpoll, Tennessee, Canada, and Mourning Warblers. On May 17, there was a Cape May Warbler and perhaps two different Blue-winged Warblers. A Golden-winged Warbler was at the lighthouse on May 18. On May 19, a spectacular orange variant Scarlet Tanager that spent the day within a few hundred metres of the lighthouse at one point shared a tree with one of the many "normal" members of the species. The report of a Henslow's Sparrow on May 18 is one of the anonymous ones referred to above. Although most, if not all, of the White-crowned Sparrows cleared out on the night of May 18, there still are a few migrant White-throated Sparrows in parts of the Park where they are unlikely to be breeding. Indigo Bunting sightings reached a peak of at least ten individuals on May 19. The Yellow-headed Blackbird that appeared on May 15 was still present on the following day but has not been seen since. In recent years, Orchard Orioles have come to be regarded as a Presqu'ile specialty. During the past week, they have been seen on almost every day, the most reliable location being in the vicinity of 83 Bayshore Road. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, R.R. #4, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Fred Helleiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
