In an unusual twist for late August birding at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park, interest has shifted from shorebirds, of which there have been
only a few dozen of a limited variety recently, to land birds,
especially warblers, which have been widespread and numerous. On
Saturday and Sunday mornings of the forthcoming "Monarchs and Migrants"
weekend in the Park, there will be bird banding demonstrations beside
the Owen Point trail access road, WEATHER PERMITTING. Unfortunately,
the long range forecast for those days does not bode well, but if the
wet and windy weather that is being predicted is the result of a
tropical storm, there is always the possibility that some tropical
seabird will be wafted our way.
Great Egrets and Black-crowned Night-Herons are still appearing
regularly, though not as frequently as earlier in the summer. Turkey
Vultures have been moving through the Park, with five or more being seen
on August 26. There have been up to five Common Mergansers in Popham
Bay for most of the past week. A few hawks have been moving through
recently, including an Osprey and two Bald Eagles on August 25 and
another of the latter five days later, a juvenile Northern Goshawk on
August 26, and Merlins regularly patrolling the beach.
Only thirteen species of shorebirds have been seen at Presqu'ile during
the past week, compared to twenty the week before. Among them were two
American Golden-Plovers on August 29, a Whimbrel on two different days,
and an American Woodcock on a trail near Owen Point that was almost
stepped on before being spotted. There is no obvious reason why there
are not more shorebirds around Owen Point this year. With the expected
influx of birders on the long weekend, perhaps more will be spotted.
Five Common Terns were still around the beach on August 30.
A Black-billed Cuckoo was at the lighthouse on August 26 and 27. Common
Nighthawks were there on two recent evenings. On August 25, four
Olive-sided Flycatchers were seen, and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was
found on August 29. The first Blue-headed Vireo of the season was seen
on August 27, and Philadelphia Vireos were seen on two different days.
The most recent sighting of Purple Martins was of three over the
lighthouse on August 25. A Carolina Wren stopped briefly at a brush
pile at 191 Bayshore Road on August 29. A few thrushes have begun to
appear where they have not been all summer, including Veery and Wood
Thrush. There have been no reports yet of American Pipits, which
usually reach Presqu'ile early in September.
Warblers have been ubiquitous and abundant this week. Twenty-three
species have been seen, three more than the week before. None of them
qualify as rarities, but the various sightings of Palm Warblers were
earlier than normal. In the last few days, Yellow-rumped Warblers have
begun to outnumber the rest. Every day for the past week a surprisingly
early Dark-eyed Junco has been visiting the feeders behind 191 Bayshore
Road.
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.
