Although flocks of migrant land birds have settled in many parts of
Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week, most of the interesting
sightings have been on and around Gull Tombolo (formerly Gull Island).
Up to four live Common Loons have been present in Popham Bay, in
addition to dead ones on the shore, apparently victims of disease.
Sixty Horned Grebes were counted there and on the south shore on October
8, when viewing conditions for water birds were ideal. At least two
live Red-necked Grebes were present this week. Two Wood Ducks were in
the woodpile marsh on October 10. A maximum of 27 American Black Ducks
were also seen on that day. Northern Pintails and Green-winged Teal are
now more regularly found in the marsh than elsewhere. A male Canvasback
was with the raft of Greater Scaup and Redheads in Popham Bay on October
8. Eight Ring-necked Ducks were in the marsh two days later. All three
species of scoters have been seen in Popham Bay this week, with six Surf
Scoters on October 8 and two Black Scoters on October 10. The open
waters of Lake Ontario are dotted with White-winged Scoters. A Common
Goldeneye was in Popham Bay on October 8 and 10.
An Osprey on October 8 and two on the following day were rather late.
Among the remaining shorebirds, an American Golden-Plover on October 10,
a White-rumped Sandpiper on October 8, and a Baird's Sandpiper on
October 12 were of interest, all of them on Gull Tombolo. An adult
Little Gull was also there on October 12. Two Common Terns at the
lighthouse on October 12 were late.
At Presqu'ile, any Barred Owl found away from the Jobes' Woods area,
like the one late last week, especially at this time of year, is
suspected of being a migrant rather than one of the resident birds. No
other owls have been reported in the Park for quite some time, but
others, especially Saw-whet Owls, are likely to appear soon.
Solitary Vireos have been plentiful in the past week, with one observer
seeing six on October 6 and three on October 12. The first Horned Lark
of the season appeared off Owen Point on October 10. Two
Orange-crowned Warblers were also present at the other end of the Park
on that day. Among the other seven species of warblers over the past
week was a Northern Parula on October 6. A highlight of the week was
the discovery of at least one Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow on Gull
Tombolo on October 8. A White-crowned Sparrow of the Gambel's race was
also there. A Fox Sparrow was there two days later. Three Lapland
Longspurs were in that same area on October 8. A Purple Finch was at
186 Bayshore Road on October 12, the first of that species this fall.
Three House Sparrows at that same feeder on October 7 were unusual for
Presqu'ile.
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. It should be noted that, because
duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and
Saturdays, Gull Tombolo, High Bluff Island, and part of the calf pasture
are not available for bird-watching on those days. For the first time
in several years, however, birders and others will be permitted at Owen
Point on hunting days, at least for the first few weeks of the hunting
season.
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.
