By the very nature of birding, the sport makes people into optimists,
forever expecting (or at least hoping for) more sightings than can
realistically be expected. Thus, the fact that Presqu'ile Provincial
Park yielded no rarities during the past week and that newly arriving
migrants were right on schedule may have disappointed the few birders
who visited the Park. Things can only improve.
The latest sighting of Red-throated Loons in Popham Bay was on April 22,
when four birds were counted. Onshore winds in recent days have made it
difficult to determine whether there are still birds of that species
present. Four Blue-winged Teal accompanying the regular flock of
Green-winged Teal near Owen Point on April 27 and five rather late
Common Goldeneyes at the lighthouse on the same day were the only
noteworthy waterfowl this week.
Two observers watched a Northern Goshawk fly over on April 22. Common
Moorhens are now established in the marsh. This is about the date when
a Yellow Rail returned last year, so birders visiting the marsh will
undoubtedly be listening for its distinctive call in days to come.
Shorebirds are beginning to trickle in, with a Greater Yellowlegs on the
beach on April 28 and four Dunlins at Owen Point on April 22. Since
Willets are appearing elsewhere in Ontario this week, the most
determined optimists among Presqu'ile birders will be on the lookout not
only for that species but also for a Mongolian Plover, since the only
eastern Canadian record of that species occurred at Presqu'ile on the
same day as a record number of Willets, May 4, 1981. The first Common
Tern appeared this year at Owen Point on April 26.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker and two Purple Finches appeared at a feeder at
83 Bayshore Road on April 22. Typical late April migrants often include
several species of warblers, as well as flycatchers, vireos, wrens, and
gnatcatchers, all of which can be expected to arrive in the very near
future.
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.
