Although the past weekend was billed as Warblers and Whimbrels weekend
at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, only the former could be found. The
thousands of shorebirds that normally move through the Park in late May
have not yet arrived, while the movement of warblers, thrushes, and
other passerines (except flycatchers) has begun to abate.
As recently as May 22, there was still a Red-throated Loon in Popham
Bay. A lone Brant bobbed in the waves off the lighthouse for at least
four days, and a flock of about 30 was at Sebastopol Island on May 25.
Gadwalls and American Wigeons have been along the shores of Gull Island
recently. A Bufflehead on May 21 and two American Goldeneyes on May 23
were late dates.
On three different days during the past week an Osprey has been seen
over the Park.
The highest Black-bellied Plover count to date was six on May 20. The
highlight of the week was unquestionably a Piping Plover that remained
on the beach from May 21 to 24, except for a brief period when a dog
disturbed it and it retreated to one of the offshore islands. Up to six
Ruddy Turnstones and five White-rumped Sandpipers have been seen at any
one time. Surprisingly, no one has yet reported a Whimbrel at
Presqu'ile this year, even on the traditional date of May 24. Only one
Red Knot has been seen to date, on May 22, whereas hundreds may be
expected to land on the beach or on Gull Island any day now. A flock of
20 Short-billed Dowitchers stopped briefly on the beach on May 19, and
one was seen there on three subsequent days. A Little Gull that had
been present for a few days was seen flying away on May 20.
The next few days mark the window of opportunity for finding a Common
Nighthawk on its spring migration, though there certainly are fewer than
in years past. Someone, probably a camper, checked off Whip-poor-will
on the bird sightings board on May 23. The species is uncommon at
Presqu'ile but undoubtedly goes undetected much of the time unless one
is out-of-doors at night.
A Red-headed Woodpecker has been at the lighthouse for five of the past
seven days, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker has also been seen there but
less frequently. There was an anonymous report of a Yellow-throated
Vireo, and a number of people saw a Philadelphia Vireo on May 24. There
have been a few sightings of Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher at the lighthouse.
Blue-winged Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Mourning Warbler (on
May 20) were among the more interesting warblers in the Park during the
past week. The majority of the recent Clay-colored Sparrow sightings
have been along Atkins Lane. A late White-crowned Sparrow was at 186
Bayshore Road on May 25 and another was on the Owen Point Trail on the
following day. Several Orchard Orioles have been seen, and the pair
that visits feeders at 83 and 85 Bayshore Road may be planning to nest
nearby.
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]
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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.
