After a rather slow autumn migration of land birds, the past week
represented a significant turn-around, with large numbers of warblers,
sparrows, thrushes, and other small birds descending on Presqu'ile
Provincial Park on Friday, September 26 and remaining for several days
thereafter. Raptors, shorebirds, and water birds have also provided
good birding, though the numbers of the latter are greatly reduced since
the waterfowl hunt in the Park began on September 27.
Most of the common dabbling ducks were feeding in the marsh until the
beginning of the hunt. Since then, the best place to find them is along
the beach, but they have become very wary. In the outer part of the
marsh, Redheads and Ring-necked Ducks can be found on most days unless
there is active hunting in progress. In Popham Bay there are still some
Greater Scaup, and five Surf Scoters were there on October 1 and a
similar number of Ruddy Ducks on September 26.
Among the raptors seen during the past week were Osprey, Bald Eagle,
Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon.
There are still as many as ten American Golden-Plovers between Beach 3
and Gull Island. Until now, the latest report of a Spotted Sandpiper
this year was on September 26. A few Least, White-rumped and Baird's
Sandpipers are still to be found among the more common species, among
which Dunlins are numerically on the rise, and a Ruddy Turnstone was
still present on October 1. While most terns have been gone for some
time, there was a surprising sighting of a Forster's Tern on September 30.
Although no owls have been reported from Presqu'ile for quite some time,
the arrival of Northern Saw-whet Owls is imminent. Carefully searching
the hidden recesses of cedar and other evergreen trees for this
diminutive species may well pay off during the next few weeks,
especially on High Bluff Island.
This year's latest Ruby-throated Hummingbird to date was seen on
September 26. Any further hummingbirds found after early October should
be carefully scrutinized for the possibility of a western stray.
Eastern Wood-Pewees and Eastern Phoebes are the only flycatcher species
reported in the Park during the past week. There was still a Red-eyed
Vireo at the lighthouse on October 2. After a lapse of several weeks
during which swallows were noticeably missing at the Park, an influx of
several dozen Tree Swallows, accompanied by one Barn Swallow, occurred
on October 1 and 2. Among the birds that arrived on September 26 and
lingered on were good numbers of Winter Wrens, both species of kinglets,
Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes, one Veery, and many, many
warblers. Most of the latter were species that normally migrate
somewhat later than others, including several Orange-crowned Warblers.
Tennessee Warblers and Northern Parulas were also seen, and there was a
surprising report of a Connecticut Warbler on September 30. Two Scarlet
Tanagers and a Lincoln's Sparrow were present on September 26. Other
sparrows arrived in good numbers during the past week, including
White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncoes, but no Nelson's
Sharp-tailed Sparrows, which normally show up on Gull Island at this
time of year.
A brightly plumaged Lapland Longspur was on Gull Island on October 2.
The first Rusty Blackbirds of the fall (9 birds) were at the calf
pasture on October 2. A Purple Finch was at the feeder at 83 Bayshore
Road on September 26.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through knee-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It
should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, Owen Point,
and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird watching on
those days.
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.
