Although November is often a slow month for birding, there is enough
variety at Presqu'ile Provincial Park these days to warrant a day spent
there.
Loons and grebes are still being sighted offshore, with single Common
Loons on November 14 and 16, a Pied-billed Grebe on November 16, and
perhaps as many as 15 Horned Grebes on November 16 and another on
November 17.
The lingering Double-crested Cormorant has not been seen since November
15, but the Great Blue Heron in the marsh was still there on November 20.
Three species of geese and three of swans have been in the Park during
the past week, including a Brant that sits on the end of Sebastopol
Point (as recently as November 20), an adult blue-phased Snow Goose
among the Canada Geese at the north end of the beach on November 16, a
Trumpeter Swan in the marsh on November 14, and a few small groups of
Tundra Swans. A group of 20-30 White-winged Scoters was in Popham Bay
near Sebastopol Point on November 18 and 20, and smaller groups have
been seen near the lighthouse.
A large Cooper's Hawk was seen both north and east of the park store on
November 17 and 18. On November 16 and 18, a late Merlin was still
hunting for shorebirds between Gull Island and the beach.
Six species of shorebirds, two more than last week and a surprisingly
high total for this late date, have been seen at Presqu'ile during the
past week, including four on November 20. The highlights were a
Black-bellied Plover on November 17, a Greater Yellowlegs on November 15
and 20, a Pectoral Sandpiper on November 15, and the long-awaited first
Purple Sandpiper of the season in the Park on Gull Island on November
20. If the experience of recent years is any indication, there will be
more in the next few weeks.
Now that the leaves are off the deciduous trees, it is not surprising
that, for the second consecutive week, a Barred Owl has been seen, this
one on November 15 along the "yellow" trail west of the group campground.
A late Eastern Phoebe was reportedly at the calf pasture on November 14,
and a Northern Shrike was there on November 17. American Pipits, two of
them, have been seen along the beach as recently as November 20. Two
observers found an incredible three species of warblers on November
15/16: Yellow, Black-throated Blue, and Common Yellowthroat.
At least four White-throated Sparrows and at least two White-crowned
Sparrows have been patronizing the feeder at 85 Bayshore Road, along
with three Red-winged Blackbirds, two Common Grackles, and, on November
18, two Rusty Blackbirds. Two Lapland Longspurs accompanied a flock of
Snow Buntings on the beach on November 16. The feeders at 186 Bayshore
Road have been visited by a Brown-headed Cowbird from November 17 - 19,
a Purple Finch on November 20, up to three dozen Pine Siskins on a
regular basis since November 17, and a female Evening Grosbeak on
November 18 and 19. It is anticipated that Common Redpolls will soon
begin appearing at Presqu'ile's feeders.
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.
