Another great week of birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has just
passed, and many birders were treated to excellent looks at a variety of
shorebirds and good opportunities to find many other species.
Two Horned Grebes were far out in Popham Bay on September 4. Four
species of heron were found on the weekend: American Bittern, Great Blue
Heron, Great Egret (still present on September 7), Black-crowned
Night-Heron. Three Northern Shovelers were among the dabbling ducks at
the shore of Gull Island. Out in Popham Bay the diving ducks are mostly
Redheads and scaup, but there have also been a Common Goldeneye (on
September 7) and three species of mergansers. A Long-tailed Duck
spotted off Owen Point on September 3 had died by the next morning.
An Osprey has been frequenting the calf pasture cove for a number of
days. At least six other species of hawks have been seen this week,
including two Cooper's Hawks, a Broad-winged Hawk (heard only), and up
to three Merlins (a species which is a daily presence along the beach).
Some good shorebird sightings have kept things interesting. An American
Golden-Plover was present for four consecutive days and may still be
lurking on Gull Island awaiting the arrival of birders on Sunday. On
September 2, four Whimbrels were found, and up to three birds were seen
on each of the following three days. Until today, two Red Knots were
among the easiest shorebirds to find from September 2 onward. A Western
Sandpiper was first spotted on September 3, and as recently as September
8 two different individuals have been seen. A few White-rumped
Sandpipers were present on September 8, but the Stilt Sandpipers that
had been present in one's and two's all week were missing. Two
Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen on September 3 and one on the next
day, but there have been no reports since then. A Short-billed
Dowitcher arrived on September 3, and two birds remained until September
5. Perhaps the most unusual shorebird sighting was that of an American
Woodcock out on the beach at dusk on September 5. Surprisingly, no
Dunlins have yet joined the other shorebirds at Presqu'ile.
A Laughing Gull put in a very brief appearance at Owen Point on
September 2. A dozen Common Terns spent a day (September 6) among the
dwindling flock of Caspian Terns off Owen Point.
Common Nighthawks have been exceptionally scarce at Presqu'ile this
year, but one was over the beach on September 5 and two were near the
lighthouse on September 7. There have been fewer flycatchers in the
Park than there were a week ago, but an Olive-sided Flycatcher was
present on September 2 and 3, and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was seen
on September 4. Three species of vireo seen during the past week
included a Blue-headed Vireo on September 4 and several Philadelphia
Vireos. The only Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher found in the Park this fall was
seen on September 3. There were Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson's Thrush,
and Wood Thrush sightings in the past week. American Pipits were at
Owen Point on several days, including a flock of about 50 on September 5.
Warblers have been abundant almost every day, but they occur mostly in
concentrations of up to two or three dozen, while searches elsewhere can
draw a total blank. Among the more interesting species were a
Golden-winged Warbler on September 6, a Tennessee Warbler on September
8, at least three Northern Parulas, a few late Yellow Warblers, and a
Connecticut Warbler at Owen Point on September 4. A report was received
late that a Prairie Warbler had been seen on Langton Avenue on the last
weekend in August. To date there have been no reports of Blue-winged
Warbler or Orange-crowned Warbler at Presqu'ile this fall, but the
latter species should be arriving soon.
A few White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncoes seen recently
suggest that the sparrow migration will soon be in full swing. A very
early Lapland Longspur was at Owen Point on September 4 and 5. Up to
five Indigo Buntings have been seen on a single day 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 until September 10 to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there. After September 10, visitors to Gull Island not
using a boat should be prepared to wade through water of uncertain
depth in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is
somewhat uneven.
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.
