Hi Ontbirders, Maureen Riggs and I birded Presqu'ile this morning with some success between 730 and 1100 a.m. Landbirds are still thin on the ground but we did find a one mixed warbler flock (6 spp, 20 birds) about 100m N of Paxton Rd on Atkin's Lane (Calf Pasture Rd) plus added a few other expected warblers here and there. The best find was two Orchard Orioles in bushes just west of the display boards at the Calf Pasture parking lot. We also saw an Olive-sided Flycatcher at the junction of Paxton and Atkins Rd. An Indigo Bunting circled over Owen Pt. The only raptors seen were a young Merlin at Calf Pasture and an immature Bald Eagle perched in trees at the left end of High Bluff Is., as seen from Owen Pt. One Great Egret was also seen flying out to High Bluff Island.
Shorebirds picked up considerably with about 375 birds of 14 spp when we checked it mid morning. The bulk are Semi S/p and Semi Plover but there were some less common ones mixed in: 1 juv Stilt 1 juv Sb Dowitcher 6 juv Red Knot 3 juv R Turnstone 30 juv Baird's S/p 2 ad W-rumped S/p The vast majority are either on Gull Island, the gravel bars developing in the channel or around Owen Pt. and the south Beach toward the High Bluff Campground. There were almost no birds along the managed beach or the northern two thirds of the natural beach. Cheers, Doug McRae Presqu'ile is best reached by taking the Brighton exit south from Hwy 401. Once in town, follow the signs for Presqu'ile (you can get a map inside the tabloid newspaper at the gate) Doug McRae <[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.
