Fledged young birds of various kinds are all over Presqu'ile Provincial
Park these days, and the families are dispersing after raising their
broods. The result is that birds are showing up in places where they
have not been seen for weeks.
Among the ducks seen in the past week have been four Wood Ducks in the
marsh, six Gadwalls, an American Wigeon, and four Green-winged Teal near
Owen Point, and six Redheads, six Lesser Scaup, and two Common
Goldeneyes in Popham Bay off Gull Island, the latter on the very late
date of June 25. Five Common Loons were in Presqu'ile Bay on June 26.
Great Egrets are appearing almost every day, and Black-crowned
Night-Herons were seen twice this week, as were Turkey Vultures. An
Osprey flew past the calf pasture, perhaps one of the birds from the
nest on the other side of the bay, from which the young appear to have
fledged.
Shorebird migration at this time of year becomes confusing, as
northbound and southbound birds can both be found, despite the
suggestion in last week's report that none of the former were left. Yet
as recently as June 23 a Semipalmated Plover, four Semipalmated
Sandpipers, and a White-rumped Sandpiper were still near Owen Point and
a Dunlin was still there on June 22 and 28. Nine Semipalmated
Sandpipers had been there on June 22 and one was on the gravel bar off
Owen Point on June 28. All of the foregoing were presumed to be
northbound migrants, but the Lesser Yellowlegs that was at Owen Point on
June 26 was almost certainly the first of the southbound migrants.
Perhaps Least Sandpipers will return within the next week, as they did
last year. Nine Bonaparte's Gulls at Owen Point on June 23 were the
first there in almost a month, but have not been seen since. Do they
wander aimlessly at this time of year?
Least Flycatchers have been around the lighthouse for some time but are
now beginning to move a bit farther afield. A Carolina Wren was singing
on June 27 south of the dumping station, not far from the area where one
was heard frequently in late April and May. At least three Blue-Gray
Gnatcatchers were at 186 Bayshore Road on June 28, perhaps a family
group originating from the nest on Paxton Drive, about 400 metres away.
A Veery and a Scarlet Tanager heard in Jobes' woods are probably summer
residents. In contrast, the origin of a female Purple Finch at 191
Bayshore Road on June 28 is more of a mystery.
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.
