Identifying a "migration peak" is much more difficult in the autumn than
in spring, but there is plenty of evidence at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
that the peak has arrived, at least for some species and groups of
species. In fact, some have already departed.
Three species of grebes were found in the Park this week: Pied-billed
Grebe (a maximum count of 15 off 38 Bayshore Road); Horned Grebe (two in
Popham Bay on August 31); Red-necked Grebe (two in Popham Bay on August
28 and one there on August 31). Five Great Egrets were on High Bluff
Island on August 26 and two individuals flew past Owen Point on August 28.
Ten Wood Ducks were sitting on a railing on the marsh boardwalk on
August 29, and a similar number were flying around the marsh two days
later. A good variety of other dabbling ducks can usually be seen
lounging on Gull Island or feeding just offshore. When the wave action
permits it, one can usually find up to five Redheads and up to seven
scaup some distance out in Popham Bay.
Ospreys have been present on the last two days, and the first Bald Eagle
of the season was flying near High Bluff Island on August 31. Merlins
are regular visitors along the beach, and one was at the calf pasture on
August 30. A small flight of raptors took place on September 1,
involving five species of hawks. Two American Coots were off 38 Bayshore
Road on August 31.
Not unexpectedly, shorebirds have been the main attraction for birders
this week, with 18 species recorded on the south end of the beach and on
the offshore islands, plus one (a Solitary Sandpiper on August 25) that
was not reported until the following day and therefore was missed in
last week's report. American Golden-Plovers were seen on August 26, 27,
and 28. Two Whimbrels, uncommon in autumn, stopped briefly on August
26. The high count of Ruddy Turnstones (10) was on August 31. The
first Red Knot of the season was off Owen Point on September 1.
Unprecedented numbers of White-rumped Sandpipers (at least 187, by one
count) and Pectoral Sandpipers that had presumably descended on the
beach during the rain and high winds of the previous night were found
there on August 31, raising speculation that large numbers of those
species normally overfly this area without stopping and that the numbers
regularly seen here are only a small percentage of the potential. A few
individuals of both of those species were still present on September 1,
along with a number of Baird's Sandpipers. The first two Stilt
Sandpipers appeared on August 26. The group increased to three birds on
August 29, and one has remained almost every day since then.
Buff-breasted Sandpipers reached an extraordinary high of seven birds on
August 28. Five were still there on the next day, and one has been
present every day since then. There is abundant good habitat - algae
mats - so there should continue to be excellent opportunities for
studying shorebirds, many of them at close range. While viewing the
shorebirds at Owen Point and on the beach, birders are advised to watch
for signs that predators of one kind or another are present. When the
shorebirds suddenly take flight en masse, it is likely a falcon; when
gulls do the same thing, it could be a Parasitic Jaeger, which is a
species seen here regularly in September.
On August 30, ten Common Nighthawks were moving south over the beach in
the evening, only the second such flock found at Presqu'ile this year.
Two days earlier at the other end of the Park, three Chimney Swifts were
circling about, and that species was also seen on another day at 83
Bayshore Road. Olive-sided Flycatchers have been seen on two different
days. Swallows have almost disappeared from Presqu'ile, except for
three large flocks of Tree Swallows on August 31. Some of the
later-arriving migrants beginning to appear include an early
Ruby-crowned Kinglet on August 30, several Veeries, a Gray-cheeked or
Swainson's Thrush on August 29, and American Pipits (two on August 29
and one on September 1).
Warblers of many species can be found in small clusters here and there
throughout the Park. A Golden-winged Warbler at 83 Bayshore Road was
the first of that species seen at Presqu'ile this fall. There appear to
have been more than the usual number of Cape May Warblers in the past
week. One of several Northern Waterthrushes present this week spent
several days as a "wannabe" shorebird, making frequent sorties out onto
the algae flats at Owen Point and foraging there in plain view of many
birders and photographers. Two different Mourning Warblers were sighted
this week. An early Dark-eyed Junco was at 83 Bayshore Road on August 31.
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.
