With the arrival of migrating shorebirds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park,
there are more birders visiting than in recent weeks, and a
corresponding increase in the number of bird sightings has been noted.
A Northern Shoveler was at Owen Point for three days beginning on July
14. The first Long-tailed Ducks in well over a month, three obviously
non-breeding individuals, were at High Bluff campground earlier this
week. A female Red-breasted Merganser was off Owen Point on July 15 and
farther out in Popham Bay on July 18. In Presqu'ile Bay, off the calf
pasture, a Common Loon was accompanied by two very young "loonlets" (the
diving equivalent of cygnets) on July 14. When sighted again with both
parents present on July 18, they had grown noticeably. This is one of
only a very few confirmed breeding records of that species on Lake
Ontario, at least on the Canadian side.
A Black-crowned Night-Heron was flushed from a tree near Owen Point on
July 13. Great Egrets continue to be seen regularly, often flying to
and from their nesting area on High Bluff Island. An Osprey was seen
near the "fingers". A Sharp-shinned Hawk seen during the past week may
be the first fall raptor migrant.
Eight species of shorebirds have appeared on the beach near Owen Point
this week. A Semipalmated Plover was among them on July 13 and 18,
perhaps the same individual that was there periodically for the past
month or more. A small group of early Sanderlings arrived on July 16
(five birds) and a few have been present on most days since then. The
first Semipalmated Sandpiper of the fall preceded them by one day. A
Short-billed Dowitcher appeared on July 18. Perhaps because of a lack
of suitable habitat, no Solitary Sandpiper has yet been seen in the Park
this month, but a few can be found outside the Park at the constructed
wetland at the south-east corner of Brighton. Beginning today, the
water level is being lowered there, and more shorebirds, including
another Short-billed Dowitcher, have begun landing on the freshly
exposed mud there. Through the kindness of Keith Lee, a municipal
employee, birders will be permitted to enter that facility on Sunday,
July 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Bonaparte's Gulls have been seen
this week both at Owen Point and at the lighthouse. There is a
possibility that they may be joined by a Little Gull as the season
progresses.
At the lighthouse a Red-breasted Nuthatch on July 17 was the first in
that part of the Park since the spring. A Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher was
near there on the preceding day. There was an intriguing but
undocumented report of a Palm Warbler at the calf pasture, which would
be unprecedented as a summer record at Presqu'ile. One observer saw
Orchard Orioles on five of the past seven days, with as many as four in
one location. Both a male and a female Purple Finch have made sporadic
visits to a feeder at 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]
--
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.
