As the days grow shorter and the nights grow cooler, birding at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been re-directed to the traditional hot
spots for migrating songbirds, - the lighthouse and the calf pasture
among others. These areas have proven quite productive in the past week.
A small number of Green-winged Teal have been frequenting the beach area
this week, and the flock of Redheads in Popham Bay has grown to a couple
of dozen birds. For the second consecutive week, four Ospreys were seen
at once. Two Merlins dashing over the beach on August 19 chased off the
small number of shorebirds that were there. Among the latter, Baird's
Sandpipers have been present at Owen Point for most of the past week.
An American Woodcock was seen on lighthouse lane earlier in the week.
Bonaparte's Gulls have been seen over Popham Bay and at the lighthouse
recently. An adult Great Black-backed Gull was on the beach for two days.
A Black-billed Cuckoo was seen at the calf pasture. For the past three
evenings, Common Nighthawks have been migrating over the eastern part of
the peninsula, with a peak of 13 birds yesterday. The first
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of the season was at the calf pasture on August
20. The next ten days are the period when Olive-sided Flycatchers
normally pass through Presqu'ile. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was seen
on August 18. A Brown Creeper was at the lighthouse on August 15 and
19. A few Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers were seen this week. Much of the
attention has focussed in recent days on the flocks of warblers around
the lighthouse parking lot. Sixteen species have been found there and
elsewhere in the Park, including a Cape May Warbler. A Lincoln's Sparrow
at the calf pasture on August 21 was an early surprise. Two Scarlet
Tanagers were also there.
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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