A few changes in the bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park during the
past week are an indication that fall migration is truly under way.
Common Loons have been seen on three of the past seven days. While not
seen every day, there are Great Egrets and Black-crowned Night-Herons in
the Park, and a Green Heron flew over Owen Point on July 22. Two Wood
Ducks flew out of the marsh on July 28. The Redheads that frequented
the shores of Gull Island throughout much of the summer appear to have
left, although one was still there on July 23. A Sharp-shinned Hawk at
Owen Point and an Osprey at the calf pasture, both on July 28, may
represent the beginning of the hawk migration. The marsh behind Owen
Point continues to produce rails. Apparently the early morning is the
best time to see them: on July 25 eight Virginia Rails and two Soras
were visible at one time, all feeding in the open.
Up to about 100 shorebirds of mixed species were seen around High Bluff
Island on July 27. Among species seen in the Park this week were a
Semipalmated Plover, an early Ruddy Turnstone on July 22, Sanderlings on
July 22 and 27, good numbers of "peeps" (Semipalmated and Least
Sandpipers), a few Lesser Yellowlegs, and a Pectoral Sandpiper on July
21. Most of these were on the beach between Owen Point and beach 3.
Single Bonaparte's Gulls were present at Owen Point and the lighthouse.
There was a Red-bellied Woodpecker near the Owen Point trail parking lot
on July 24. A surprisingly early Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was also
there on that date. The only Cliff Swallow noticed at Presqu'ile this
year was on the wires along Bayshore Road on July 28, along with growing
numbers of the commoner species of swallows. Two Brown Creepers were
reported at the lighthouse on July 28. An early Nashville Warbler was
there on July 24. Although that species has been known to breed in the
Park, this was likely a migrant because of its location in a well known
"migrant trap" and because it showed up shortly after the passage of a
cool front. Other migrant warblers should be watched for in the coming
days. Two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were at the feeder at 191 Bayshore
Road this week.
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.
