The renowned diversity of bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park was evident again this past week, with interesting sightings of both northern and southern species, as well as water birds, marsh birds, and land birds.
Common Loons have appeared regularly in Presqu'ile Bay, almost every day. Great Egrets have begun to disperse from their nesting grounds, with seven individuals feeding together on July 2 along the "natural beach" between Owen Point and the groomed beaches. A Trumpeter Swan at beach 3 on June 27 was the first of that species in the Park since early spring. Green-winged Teal have re-appeared on the beach (four on July 2 and two on July 3). The male Canvasback that was present throughout June and the male Bufflehead reported last week were keeping each other company at the calf pasture cove on June 28, in the absence of members of their own species. On the following day, a Lesser Scaup was further up the bay to the west. A Red-breasted Merganser swam past Owen Point on June 28. On June 28, an Osprey was at the calf pasture and a Cooper's Hawk was in the woods near the Nature Centre. Whereas last week's report mentioned several stragglers among northbound shorebird migrants, the only remaining one since then was a Ruddy Turnstone on June 27 and 28. On the other hand, the vanguard of the spectacular fall shorebird migration that occurs at Presqu'ile later in the season arrived only four days later, on July 2, with two Lesser Yellowlegs (five the next day) and seven Least Sandpipers at the north end of the Owen Point trail. A Wilson's Snipe was winnowing near the beach 1 access road on July 1. Bonaparte's Gulls were on the beach on June 28 (one) and July 3 (two). Four Black-billed Cuckoos in various parts of the Park serve to reinforce the perception that this has been a good year for that species. One of the biggest surprises of the week was the discovery of an Olive-sided Flycatcher near the Park store on July 2, which is too late for a spring migrant and too early for a fall migrant. Warblers were found in the Park in good numbers this week, including species whose normal summer range lies to the north of here. Among the more interesting ones were a singing Magnolia Warbler, some rcently fledged young Yellow-rumped Warblers, several Blackburnian Warblers, and two Black-and-white Warblers. Orchard Orioles continue to frequent the area around 83 Bayshore Road, where they have been since the spring. White-throated Sparrows with fledged young and a Purple Finch are also among those birds seen this week that normally summer to the north of Presqu'ile. 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.
