Unlikely as it may seem to those unfamiliar with bird migration
phenology, Presqu'ile Provincial Park has already begun to see evidence
of the fall bird migration. In addition, some of the less common
resident birds have also appeared in the past week.
A count of 110 Mute Swans on July 5, while not unusual in winter, was
exceptionally high for this time of year and deserves attention from
those responsible for managing the environment. A flock of about 20
mergansers, either Common Mergansers or Red-breasted Mergansers, did a
fly-past on July 6 too quickly for their specific identity to be
determined. A Least Bittern, a species that is present in some numbers
during the summer but is often elusive, was found in the marsh on July
4. A Black-crowned Night-Heron flew past the lighthouse on July 6. An
Osprey was at the calf pasture this morning. A Semipalmated Plover was
on the beach on July 4 and 5, returning south a mere 23 days after the
last of the northbound migrants of that species. Another returning
shorebird was a Lesser Yellowlegs on July 3 and 4. Five Least
Sandpipers on July 8 were also among the forerunners of the fall
shorebird migration for which Presqu'ile is noted.
With the campgrounds now alive with campers, we can anticipate a report
of Barred Owls calling. A Northern Mockingbird, apparently a young
bird, seen near the Park store on July 4, suggests that the species may
be breeding in the Park, as has previously been suspected. An American
Redstart near the lighthouse on July 6 may also have bred in the Park
but had obviously wandered in from somewhere away from where it was
seen. A Purple Finch was singing near the Park store on July 3 and
again near the bird sightings board two days later.
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]
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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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