At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, the spring bird migration is typically a week or two later than at many of the other "migration traps" in southern Ontario, particularly those on Lake Erie. Therefore it is not entirely unexpected, though nevertheless a welcome surprise, that the largest influx of migrants this spring took place as late as today, May 29. Nor were the new arrivals all shorebirds, which normally do peak later than other birds, but warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, and other songbirds were abundant in the woods.
Common Loons were still migrating (following their early morning north-west trajectory) as recently as May 26. A Least Bittern was heard calling in the woodpile marsh on May 23, and one was reported in the marsh on May 26. Five active Great Egret nests have been found on High Bluff Island, where they have nested for the past several years. Although access to the island is restricted at this time of year, the birds can be observed at their nests through a spotting scope from the sandpile provided for shorebird observation at the north end of the Owen Point trail (formerly known as beach 4). The most recent Osprey sighting at Presqu'ile was on May 23. A Northern Goshawk has been observed repeatedly making forays through the property at 83 Bayshore Road, where Mourning Doves and many other birds patronizing the feeders could provide a steady source of prey, raising suspicions that there might again be a nest of that species somewhere in the Park. I am not aware of any reports this week of the Yellow Rail that was present earlier in the month. However, the fact that King Rails have occasionally been detected in the marsh in previous years should alert birders to the possibility that the species may be a regular inhabitant of the extensive suitable habitat, albeit an elusive one. A good variety of shorebirds has been present all week along the beach and on Gull Island, but the numbers climbed dramatically on May 29. The vast majority are Dunlins, but almost every day there have been Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red Knots, Sanderlings, and Semipalmated, Least, and White-rumped Sandpipers. On May 26, three Whimbrels spent most of the day at Owen Point, along with a dozen Bonaparte's Gulls. A Common Nighthawk and a Chimney Swift, both uncommon at Presqu'ile, were seen on May 23 and 28, respectively. Among the numerous flycatchers that have been in the Park this week, there was an Olive-sided on May 28 and 29 and a Yellow-bellied on May 25 and 29. A very late Blue-headed Vireo was seen on May 26. There were several sightings of Philadelphia Vireos this week. In the vicinity of the lighthouse, a Cliff Swallow on May 24, a noisy Carolina Wren on the following day, and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers on several days were of interest. An Eastern Bluebird was at the calf pasture on May 25. There were sporadic sightings of Veeries, Gray-cheeked Thrushes, and Swainson's Thrushes for the past few days, but the latter two species and a singing Wood Thrush were found in a number of locations on May 29. The Cedar Waxwing migration has been steady for over ten days, but appears to have peaked on May 25. The most interesting warbler sightings of the week were a male and female Hooded Warbler, separated by about a kilometre, both seen on May 26. Blue-winged Warblers were seen on May 25 and 26, and a Golden-winged Warbler on May 26. Almost all of the common warbler species were present in good numbers on May 29, with exceptionally large concentrations of Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Wilson's, and Canada Warblers and American Redstarts. Even some of the normally early migrants (Nashville, Yellow-rumped, and Black-and-white Warblers and Northern Waterthrush) were still passing through on May 29. Although most of the White-crowned Sparrows that were abundant in the Park until May 18 had left by the following morning, there have been four scattered observations in the past four days, including two individuals that appeared repeatedly on May 29 at 186 Bayshore Road. A Rusty Blackbird seen on May 26 appears to be a record late date for the Park. Orchard Orioles are still being seen almost every day at the lighthouse and elsewhere, and a Purple Finch was at 83 Bayshore Road on May 28. 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.
