After a flurry of interesting bird sightings at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park last weekend, the situation has become more static in the past few
days, with somewhat skimpy evidence of newly arrived migrants.
Two Horned Grebes were swimming off Owen Point on September 11. Five
species in the heron family were seen within 24 hours last weekend,
including Great Egret, Green Heron, and Black-crowned Night-Heron.
A good variety of ducks was present during the past week, mostly in
Popham Bay but also beginning to appear in Presqu'ile Bay. Among
others, there were American Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Northern
Pintails, Redheads, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, White-winged Scoter,
and Common Mergansers.
Some interesting raptors appeared in the Park this week, including an
Osprey on September 16, adult Bald Eagles on September 10 (over the
beach) and September 16 (perched in a large ash tree near the lighthouse
while eating its prey), a Broad-winged Hawk near the lighthouse on
September 10, Merlins on several different days between the beach and
Gull Island, and two different Peregrine Falcons on September 13 and
another on September 16.
Both Virginia Rail and Sora were heard in the marsh in the evening of
September 11. Two Common Moorhens were there on the previous day.
The shorebird tally at Presqu'ile on the weekend came to at least 14
species. The highlights were a Red Knot on September 11, a White-rumped
Sandpiper on September 10 and 12, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper seen very
briefly on September 12, two Short-billed Dowitchers, and several
American Woodcocks. That number of species has dwindled to nine since then.
A whole ten days has passed since any jaegers were spotted at
Presqu'ile, which is somewhat unusual at this time of year. The
Bonaparte's and Ring-billed Gulls and Common Terns "hawking" for insects
for the past several evenings near the lighthouse would seem to provide
an attraction for any passing jaeger. A Little Gull, a Forster's Tern,
and a Black Tern on September 11 (and the latter also on September 12)
were the most interesting larids seen during the past week.
A Great Horned Owl over the road on September 11 and a Barred Owl on
September 13 were probably resident birds, but migrant owls may soon be
returning to the Park.
Eastern Wood-Pewees, Eastern Phoebes, and a Great Crested Flycatcher (on
September 13) were the only remaining flycatcher species this week, but
exotic western flycatchers occasionally appear in the east at this time
of year. The sightings of Brown Creepers, Winter Wrens, and both
species of kinglets since the last report are indicative of a later
phase of the fall migration. On the other hand, a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
and two Swainson's Thrushes at the lighthouse on September 13 represent
the tail end of the early migrant waves. An American Pipit was seen on
September 12, and a flock of about 15 on September 14. Warblers are
still plentiful, if hard to find, at least sixteen species having been
seen in the Park during the past week. They include a Tennessee Warbler
on September 13, the first Orange-crowned and Palm Warblers of the
season on September 10 and 13, respectively, a number of Northern
Parulas, and two Northern Waterthrushes.
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 thigh-deep water (too deep for
hip waders) in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that
is somewhat uneven.
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.
