By now, almost every species of bird that can reasonably be expected to
arrive at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in late fall has put in an
appearance. The few remaining prospects can be counted on the fingers
of two hands, making it a challenge for birders hoping to reach whatever
target they have set for their year lists.
A lone Brant appeared yesterday morning (October 22) on the beach and
was later seen on Owen Point and then on Gull Island. It is not known
whether that was the Brant which a waterfowl hunter shot yesterday. The
marsh continues to provide shelter and nourishment for large numbers of
dabbling ducks, including well over 100 Green-winged Teal, as well as a
few Wood Ducks and Northern Pintails. Huge numbers, probably several
thousand, of diving ducks are in Popham Bay and Presqu'ile Bay. The
vast majority are Greater Scaup, but among others there is a small but
reliable gathering of Surf Scoters off 186 Bayshore Road, where there
are also a few Long-tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, and Common Goldeneyes.
Surprisingly, no one has yet reported any Canvasbacks or Black Scoters.
Other water birds have included many loons in Lake Ontario, including at
least three Red-throated Loons on October 19 and over 100 Common Loons
in on October 22. Horned Grebes are also present in good numbers
(dozens), and single Red-necked Grebes were seen in opposite ends of the
Park on October 20 and 23. Double-crested Cormorants have been putting
on daily shows of hundreds of individuals concentrated in various locations.
Raptors have not been much in evidence. A few Turkey Vultures have
soared past, and singles of Cooper's Hawk and Merlin were noted.
Lingering shorebirds seen in the past week were Black-bellied Plovers,
Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Sanderlings, Semipalmated
Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpipers, and Dunlins, all of which were
still present as recently as October 21. There are increasing numbers
of Bonaparte's Gulls, which raises the possibility that someone may soon
find the season's first Little Gull or perhaps even a Black-legged
Kittiwake or some other rarity. (A Ross's Gull would be a first for
Presqu'ile, as well as for many birders in the area.) The first two
Snowy Owls of the season appeared on Sebastopol Island this morning, and
the first two Northern Shrikes were found on October 17. For the second
consecutive week, a Common Raven was located, this time by sound on High
Bluff Island.
The songbirds seen in the past week include some late lingerers and some
that have newly returned from points north. There were still two
Blue-headed Vireos at the lighthouse on October 18. A surprising
discovery was a Carolina Wren at the entrance to "the fingers". It was
present on October 22 and 23. An Eastern Bluebird and a late
Gray-cheeked Thrush were seen on October 17. While not the latest dates
on record, a Cape May Warbler on October 18, a Palm Warbler on October
19, and an American Redstart on October 17 are likely to be the last of
those species seen until next spring. Among other sparrows, the first
American Tree Sparrows (October 22), Fox Sparrows (October 17 and 18),
and a Field Sparrow on October 19 were of interest. Large numbers of
Snow Buntings have been on the beach all week. Eastern Meadowlarks were
at the calf pasture on each of the past two days. Several flocks of
Pine Siskins are the only "winter finches" seen this week.
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. Visitors to Gull Island should be
prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there is often a swift
current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It should also be noted
that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and
part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days.
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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