Presqu'ile Provincial Park, for the second week in a row, has been alive
with land birds. On the shores and in the offshore waters there are
also many interesting species.
Blue-winged Teal have been scarce at Presqu'ile this fall, but three
were in the marsh on October 10. A surprising group of seven Northern
Shovelers was in Popham Bay on October 7 and five Northern Pintails were
there on October 10. Four Surf Scoters were off beach 1 on October 5.
A Common Goldeneye was there on October 10.
October 9 saw a small hawk migration over the Park, with two Ospreys,
six Northern Harriers, and a Merlin. A Peregrine Falcon was at Gull
Island on October 7. A Ruffed Grouse has been seen on four of the past
five days within a few hundred metres of the lighthouse. American Coots
have begun to appear off 38 Bayshore Road, the first four being noticed
on October 6. Among the thirteen species of shorebirds seen in the past
week were an American Golden-Plover, four rather late Semipalmated
Plovers at Chatterton Point, two Greater Yellowlegs at the calf pasture,
Spotted Sandpipers on three different days, three or four late lingering
Whimbrels on Gull Island (three still present on October 11), a late
Ruddy Turnstone at Owen Point on October 11, and three Pectoral
Sandpipers on October 11.
The most recent Red-eyed Vireo was at the lighthouse on October 5.
There may actually be two Carolina Wrens in the Park, the one that has
been found regularly for six weeks around the lighthouse and another (or
perhaps the same one) heard near 83 Bayshore Road. A House Wren was at
186 Bayshore Road on October 8. One observer found seven Winter Wrens
in one day. Gray Catbirds were still around the lighthouse on October
6. Single Orange-crowned Warblers have been seen around the lighthouse
and at 191 Bayshore Road almost every day this week, and a Nashville
Warbler has also been in that area. Singles of Northern Parula,
Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Blackpoll Warbler were seen in that
area during the past week. A Connecticut Warbler was reported near
Chatterton Point on October 9. A Wilson's Warbler, apparently the
latest fall record, was near Owen Point on October 11. An Eastern
Towhee frequented the lighthouse area for at least four consecutive
days. Chipping Sparrows and a Field Sparrow accompanied the hordes of
Dark-eyed Juncoes. Fox Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows should be
the next to arrive. The feeders at 191 Bayshore Road have had regular
visits from half a dozen or more Purple Finches and at least twenty Pine
Siskins.
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 "Island", High Bluff Island, and part of the calf
pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days. Again this
year, birders and others will be permitted at Owen Point on hunting days
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,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
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