Now that most of the southbound land birds have passed through
Presqu'ile Provincial Park, the focus of birding has shifted back to the
surrounding waters, which have seen growing numbers of waterfowl in the
past week and one rare gull.
A lone Brant was at Owen Point on October 14, and a flock of about 60
flew past the lighthouse two days later. Four Gadwalls were in Popham
Bay on October 16. Three Northern Pintails have been accompanying the
Mallards near Owen Point for several days. In the huge flocks of
Greater Scaup and Redheads in Popham Bay and Presqu'ile Bay, there were
at least two Ring-necked Ducks, but surprisingly no Canvasbacks as yet.
All three species of scoters have been seen this week, the most common
being White-winged Scoters, which are in good numbers off the south
shore of the peninsula. A few Surf Scoters are present almost every day
now in Presqu'ile Bay and Popham Bay, and one Black Scoter put in a
brief appearance off beach 1 on October 17. Two Long-tailed Ducks on
October 14 were the first of the season. Small numbers of Buffleheads
and Common Goldeneyes are being seen almost every day now. A few Hooded
Mergansers have been off Gull Island for the past four days, and the
flocks of Red-breasted Mergansers are beginning to build up towards the
thousands that are expected within the next week. At least 60 Common
Loons were counted on October 15, and a few dozen are still around. One
other loon among them but seen at a considerable distance looked
suspiciously like a Pacific Loon in breeding plumage. In Popham Bay the
high count of Horned Grebes reached 140 on October 15, and a Red-necked
Grebe was also there on that day and the next.
A Bald Eagle was seen twice on October 15. A Merlin was near the
lighthouse on October 13. Although ten species of shorebirds have been
seen in the Park in the past week, only five remained today, including
three Ruddy Turnstones on Sebastopol Island. A late Spotted Sandpiper
on October 16 was one of two seen in the past week. Two Baird's
Sandpipers were off Owen Point on October 14. Birders should be on the
lookout for Red Phalaropes, which occasionally appear at this time of
year, as well as rare gulls. Unquestionably the rarest find of this
week was a Sabine's Gull that accompanied the Bonaparte's Gulls on
October 16 but has not been seen since.
A Yellow-billed Cuckoo spent much of the day on October 11 behind the
Park store. A report of a Red-headed Woodpecker on October 15 could not
be confirmed. Eastern Phoebes have been seen every day for the past
week, averaging 2 or 3 birds a day. Carolina Wrens have been detected
at two widely separated locations, - behind 83 Bayshore Road and near
the lighthouse. The latter bird, present since late August, has made
occasional visits to the feeders at 191 Bayshore Road. Unless it is
calling it is difficult to find, and it is calling less frequently these
days than before. One or two Eastern Bluebirds have been at the east
end of the calf pasture for the past three days and two more were on the
beach 1 access road today. Hermit Thrushes are still present in the
Park, five individuals having been seen on one day late last week.
There are good numbers of American Pipits on Gull Island. Warblers are
now scarce and apparently limited to one species, Yellow-rumped
Warbler. Sparrows are also less numerous than a week ago. The first
American Tree Sparrow of the season was at the lighthouse on October
16. A flock of 25 Chipping Sparrows has been near there for the past
two days. The first two Fox Sparrows of the season were near the
lighthouse on October12, and another was at 83 Bayshore Road, along with
a Field Sparrow, a few days later. A Vesper Sparrow was seen on two of
the past three days along the road at 66 Bayshore Road. Small flocks of
Snow Buntings have been on Gull Island and along the beach since October
16. As many as 30 Pine Siskins were swarming the feeders at 186 and 191
Bayshore Road for several days but most of them have moved on. Five
Evening Grosbeaks spent the day on October 12 making frequent visits to
the feeders at 186 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. 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,
R.R. #4,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
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