Despite the summery weather of the past week, a number of the birds seen
at Prequ'ile Provincial Park during that period are obviously still en
route to their nesting areas further north. Others are in that
doubtful category, - possibly late migrants or possibly locally breeding
birds. In some cases, a distinction can be drawn on the basis of the
part of the Park in which the bird is seen or the habitat which it is
occupying.
Common Loons that fly over, as many as three on one day this week, are
not likely breeding in the area. On the other hand, most birds in the
heron family seen this week are known to be nesting, including Great
Egrets. A Green Heron seen on the north shore of Presqu'ile Bay may
also be breeding locally. Five Black-crowned Night-Herons, presumably
from the breeding colony on the offshore islands, flew over on June 7
and one flew past the lighthouse at dusk on June 9.
The status of ducks in Popham Bay is less certain. Today there were
eleven species of ducks there, including a Gadwall, American Wigeons,
three male Northern Shovelers, half a dozen Redheads, a male scaup
(believed to be a Greater Scaup), and all three species of mergansers.
All of the shorebirds still present at Presqu'ile except Killdeer and
Spotted Sandpiper are certainly not breeding here. The Piping Plover
whose presence has been witnessed by many birders at least as recently
as June 8 would probably breed here if only it could find a mate,
especially since the Park has taken measures to minimize further
disturbance to the bird. There were three Semipalmated Plovers in that
fenced off area on June 9. Three Whimbrels at Owen Point on June 5 were
exceptionally late. Large numbers of Ruddy Turnstones and a Red Knot
passed through on June 5 and three of the former were at Owen Point on
June 9. Also there on that date were about twenty Semipalmated
Sandpipers, a White-rumped Sandpiper, and a Dunlin.
Although a recurrence of the event is highly improbable, it is worth
noting that on June 14, 1988 a Sandwich Tern showed up at Owen Point,
one of the three rarest birds ever found at Presqu'ile. As the recent
sighting of an Arctic Tern there indicates, the terns and gulls that
roost on the gravel bar off Owen Point merit close scrutiny.
Black-billed Cuckoos were found along Paxton Drive and at the calf
pasture, which is one of the preferred locations for that species in
summer. A Red-bellied Woodpecker was heard near the lighthouse on June
8. A minor Blue Jay migration was observed there as late as June 5.
The Purple Martins that occupy a nest box at 192 Bayshore Road have been
very active in recent days. The Sedge Wren at the Owen Point trail
parking lot was behaving on June 4 as if it had established a breeding
territory. Although undoubtedly breeding somewhere in the Park, a
Golden-crowned Kinglet and a Wood Thrush, both recorded this week, are
not often seen in summer. On June 5, a Northern Mockingbird made a
surprise appearance on the lawn of 184 Bayshore Road. Most of the ten
or so species of warblers reported during the past week are probably
summer residents, but a Nashville Warbler in habitat that is not typical
nesting habitat and a Wilson's Warbler on June 6 may well represent the
tail end of the spring warbler migration.
As recently as June 5, a Clay-colored Sparrow was singing along Atkins
Lane, where birds of that species have been present for several weeks.
Orchard Orioles appear to be on territory in at least two different
parts of the peninsula, - Bayshore Road and the Owen Point trail parking
lot.
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.
