Suddenly Presqu'ile Provincial Park has come alive with birds, and many
people are turning up to see them. Among the birds seen in the past
week are several that are unusual or somewhat early.
A total of 28 Pied-billed Grebes were visible from Bayshore Road on
August 25. Among the many dead water birds picked up on the beach by
Park employees for testing was a Horned Grebe, which is early for that
species to be here. Great Egrets continue to forage almost every day on
the northern tip of High Bluff Island and nearby shores. Sometimes as
many as seven can be seen at one time by focusing a spotting scope on
that location from lookout #3 on the Owen Point trail. Others have been
seen in the marsh and flying over near Owen Point.
Mute Swan numbers have been growing steadily since earlier this month,
perhaps a sign of an unfortunately successful breeding season. A total
of 68 individuals were seen from Bayshore Road today. Dabbling ducks,
mostly Mallards and both species of teal, are also gathering in good
numbers off Gull Island. A few Gadwalls, American Wigeons, American
Black Ducks, and Northern Pintails are also among them. Redheads, a
scaup, and a Common Merganser are the only diving ducks noted recently.
Numerically, the hawk migration is never as spectacular at Presqu'ile as
elsewhere, but a few individuals of several species appeared this week.
Ospreys have been seen on four of the past seven days. Two Northern
Harriers, at least one and perhaps two Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a
Broad-winged Hawk, the latter not often seen in the Park, have been seen
recently. However, the most reliable types have been the falcons that
have taken to patrolling the beaches for shorebirds and other prey. A
Merlin has been there every day except one since August 19, and on
August 24 a Peregrine Falcon put on a stunning display of aerobatics for
an appreciative audience of both birders and non-birders. It repeatedly
dive-bombed and chased shorebirds, ducks, and (albeit half-heartedly)
even a Double-crested Cormorant, while a few Caspian Terns in turn (pun
intended) dove at the falcon.
When not being harassed by falcons, the shorebird display at Owen Point
has been rewarding all week. Among the fifteen species present this
week, here are some of the highlights. Black-bellied Plovers have been
seen in small numbers every day, usually on the offshore islands, and an
early American Golden-Plover in almost full alternate (breeding) plumage
was there on August 23. Two Ruddy Turnstones were at Owen Point on
August 20, one of which was a colourful bird that stayed until August
23. A third-hand report of a Western Sandpiper on August 21 has not
been confirmed. Large numbers (up to 60) of Baird's Sandpipers have
provided excellent opportunities for comparing them with other "peeps"
at close hand. From one to three Buff-breasted Sandpipers have been
seen daily since August 21. Short-billed Dowitchers appeared briefly on
August 22 and 24, with about five individuals on the former date.
A Black-billed Cuckoo behind the Park Store on August 25 was the first
of that species found in the Park since late spring. Two Chimney
Swifts, also the first since spring, were with a group of swallows over
the lighthouse on August 19. Good numbers of flycatchers have been seen
in various parts of the Park all week, including at least one
Olive-sided Flycatcher on August 24. Eastern Kingbirds, however, have
definitely thinned out. Birders should keep alert to the remote
possibility of a Western Kingbird appearing at Presqu'ile in the next
few weeks. The latest Purple Martin sighting to date was on August 21,
and other swallows are also fewer than in previous weeks. A Marsh Wren
was found in the marsh (of course) on August 20. The only migrant
thrushes seen to date were Veeries on three different dates.
Warblers are all over Presqu'ile now, represented by 21 species. Among
them have been Tennessee, Cape May, Palm, Connecticut, and Mourning
Warblers. The Connecticut Warbler obliged the surprised observer by
emerging from his brush pile while he (the observer) was sitting looking
out his window at 186 Bayshore Road with binoculars in one hand and a
pre-prandial libation in the other. The identification was made,
incidentally, before much of the libation had been consumed.
A recent sighting of a Scarlet Tanager at 83 Bayshore Road was the first
of many that are likely to follow in the next few weeks. A Lincoln's
Sparrow was reported on August 20.
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.
