After a month during which new birds appeared at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park almost every day, the past week has seemed anticlimactic, despite
the fact that on any given day enough interesting birds have been around
to satisfy anyone on a birding trip to the Park.
One of the species that is associated with points farther north in
summer is the Common Loon, yet several appear to be planning to spend
the summer in Presqu'ile Bay. While scanning the marsh from 38 Bayshore
Road with a scope, one observer was lucky enough to see a Least Bittern
fly past his field of vision and drop down into the reeds. Great Egrets
and even the odd Black-crowned Night-Heron are being seen with
increasing regularity.
A Turkey Vulture has put in several appearances near the lighthouse in
recent days. A Sharp-shinned Hawk, not often seen at Presqu'ile in
summer, was also present.
There is still a significant presence of northbound shorebirds,
including a few Semipalmated Plovers, about 30 Ruddy Turnstones on June
7 (18 four days earlier), a few Sanderlings, and up to 50 Semipalmated
Sandpipers. Visible from Bayshore Road, a Black Tern was patrolling the
area in which its nest was previously located.
A Chimney Swift flew over the lighthouse on June 2. An Alder Flycatcher
near the lighthouse on June 3 may have been a late migrant. Willow
Flycatchers are frequently singing along the Owen Point trail. A
remnant of the Blue Jay migration was still taking place last weekend.
The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher has been attending its nest daily one-third of
a kilometre up Paxton Drive from the lighthouse parking lot. Very few
warblers were reported during the week, and, with the exception of a
Nashville Warbler on June 2 and possibly some of the Mourning Warblers
seen recently, most are resident on their territories. A Lincoln's
Sparrow on June 2 was exceptionally late. Orchard Orioles continue to
be seen here and there.
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]
--
--
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.
