A few surprises have rewarded the birders who visited Presqu'ile
Provincial Park during the past week. It is indicative of the justified
reputation that the Park has as a prime birding destination that, even
in a traditionally "slow" season, a good diversity of birds can almost
always be found.
Common Loons have been seen almost every day, and are often heard
yodeling in the early mornings. A leisurely paddle through the marsh on
June 18 yielded a vocal Least Bittern, a species that is probably
present in good numbers in the marsh but is seldom encountered. On June
19 and 20, there were three sightings of a Brant near the lighthouse,
the last one in flight, having apparently been "spooked" by a jetski.
This species is not often seen this late in the spring. Just outside
the Park, at the created wetland on County Road 64 in the south-east
corner of Brighton, there was another late lingerer, a Tundra Swan.
Three Wood Ducks were also seen in the marsh on June 18. Among the
Redheads that have been frequenting the shores of Gull Island, there
were two male Greater Scaup on June 23, a very late date for this
species, which normally departs in April. A female Red-breasted
Merganser was also nearby.
An Osprey seen at the calf pasture on June 19 was one of only a few seen
this year at Presqu'ile. The nesting Merlins near the Nature Centre had
not yet dispersed on June 22.
The end of June marks a brief hiatus between the spring and fall
migrations of shorebirds. With the solstice behind us, the first of the
southbound shorebirds may appear within a week or two.
A Black-billed Cuckoo was at the calf pasture on June 22, a location
where the species was found with some regularity throughout the summer
last year. The Red-breasted Nuthatch that was visiting the feeder at
186 Bayshore Road a week ago re-appeared briefly on June 22. A Brown
Creeper was found in the Park on June 24.
Two of the biggest surprises of the week were found at the lighthouse on
the same morning,- a Blue-winged Warbler and a Black-and-white Warbler
(both singing) on June 18, a date that is much too late for migrants;
yet neither species is known to nest in that area. A singing Orchard
Oriole was at the Owen Point trail parking lot on June 20.
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.
