Although there is plenty of evidence that the fall migration of birds at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park has begun, it would take an optimist to claim
that it is more than a mere trickle at this point. Yet a comparison
with last year's events shows that it is right on schedule.
There has been, for several weeks, a concentration of ducks, mostly
dabbling ducks, on the north shore of Gull Island, barely within range
of a good spotting scope. When conditions are favourable, one can pick
out a few American Black Ducks, Green-winged Teal, and Redheads. This
morning there was also a Northern Pintail. Yesterday a Lesser Scaup and
a Bufflehead were identified there (the latter being one of only a
handful of summer records), and a White-winged Scoter near the
lighthouse. The flock of Common Mergansers on the east shore of Gull
Island contained twelve birds yesterday, but none could be seen today.
One additional bird of that species was at the lighthouse on August 10.
With American White Pelicans showing up recently at three widely
separated locations in southern Ontario, one should keep an eye on the
cormorant flocks at Presqu'ile, where one appeared in late July four
years ago, a location that is not far from the Bay of Quinte, where one
remained for several weeks last year at precisely this time. All but
one of the previous sightings at Presqu'ile were in August. The
American Bittern that has been frequenting the frog-infested Owen Point
trail for a few weeks was seen again on August 8. The Least Bittern
that has been sighted several times along the causeway just outside the
Park entrance was last seen on August 10. Three Green Herons flew past
the lighthouse on August 12. A Black-crowned Night-Heron was perched on
Sebastopol Island, where the species formerly nested.
As many as four Ospreys have been patrolling Presqu'ile Bay for the past
week, and successfully diving for fish. An immature Bald Eagle was
flushed from the trees at Owen Point and soared around for some time
thereafter. A few migrant hawks, including Sharp-shinned Hawk and
American Kestrel, have signalled the start of the raptor migration.
Ruffed Grouse remain undetected after they cease drumming in late May,
except when they stray onto the roads, as one did today. To date, the
shorebird migration has been a disappointment. However, a Greater
Yellowlegs was near the start of the Owen Point trail on August 13, and
a worn adult Baird's Sandpiper was at Owen Point on August 9 and 10, and
a juvenile of that species has been seen twice this week.
A Black-billed Cuckoo was calling behind the woodpile marsh this
morning. The first Common Nighthawk of the season flew over Bayshore
Road on August 12. Large numbers of Purple Martins were leaving the
Park on August 13. A small flurry of migrating warblers on August 10
included a Nashville Warbler, a Chestnut-sided Warbler, and a Mourning
Warbler. Scarlet Tanagers should soon be appearing. Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks have been around the lighthouse area all week. There are
still Orchard Orioles and Baltimore Orioles visiting feeders on Bayshore
Road. Contrary to what was stated in last week's report, White-winged
Crossbills have indeed reached Presqu'ile, as two were noted flying over
as early as August 2.
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. Birders who have not visited
Presqu'ile in the past few years may not be aware that the boardwalk
that provides access into the marsh has been closed and is unlikely to
be re-opened for another year or so. 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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