When people start asking, "What birds are still to arrive back at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park?" it is time to anticipate the wind-down of
the spring migration. That certainly had not taken place last weekend,
when a rush of new arrivals appeared on Friday (as it did in many other
locations in southern Ontario) as well as on Saturday and, to a lesser
extent on Sunday. Since then, the lack of migrants forced birders to
focus on nesting birds, until today, which saw another new batch of
arrivals.
Among the migrants passing the Park were several flocks of BRANT between
May 15 and 18, including one flock of about 200. A NORTHERN SHOVELER
was off Owen Point on May 17, and REDHEADS are there every day, as well
as in the marsh. A late RING-NECKED DUCK was seen on May 16. The first
HARLEQUIN DUCK in many months was present for much of May 14 but has not
been seen since. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS often move through here in late
May, and two flocks did so on May 17. COMMON GOLDENEYES were still
around Sebastopol Island on May 17. A late HORNED GREBE was in Popham
Bay on May 16 - 18.
A LEAST BITTERN was seen on May 15. GREAT EGRETS continue to be seen
every day. GREEN HERONS were seen on May 16 and 18. On May 15, raptors
seen included a COOPER'S HAWK, a MERLIN, and another
falcon that was variously identified as a MERLIN, a PEREGRINE FALCON,
and "one or the other".
Some interesting shorebirds showed up this week, but the large numbers
that often occur at Presqu'ile in spring have not yet materialized. The
two PIPING PLOVERS found on May 13 were seen again on May 14 but not
since then. Their coloured leg bands indicate that they had originated
in Michigan. Both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS appeared briefly at
Owen Point. A SOLITARY SANDPIPER was on the beach on May 14, an unusual
location for that species. Up to four RUDDY TURNSTONES, two
SANDERLINGS, two SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, and twelve SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHERS were among the other shorebirds in the past few days. An
AMERICAN WOODCOCK sat on the trail in front of two observers. At least
two people were lucky enough to spot a WILSON'S PHALAROPE among the
yellowlegs on May 17. Normally only two species of terns can be found
at Presqu'ile, but between now and the end of the month the possibility
exists of finding any of three other, albeit rare, terns: ARCTIC,
FORSTER'S, and BLACK TERNS have all been seen in previous years at that
time.
Surprisingly, no one has yet reported a cuckoo of either species in the
Park this spring. A BARRED OWL was found on May 16. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS
should be appearing soon. The first CHIMNEY SWIFT in the Park this year
was on May 18. At least one and perhaps two RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
nests have been located, after years of suspicion that those birds do
nest in the Park. The active one, in Jobes' Woods, was still being
excavated on May 19. At one point, both members of the pair were in the
cavity at the same time. A late YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, also
suspected of having bred at Presqu'ile, was seen on May 18.
The bulk of the flycatcher migration is just beginning. Among others
were an early OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER on May 17 and a singing ALDER
FLYCATCHER. YELLOW-THROATED and PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were found on May
14 and 15. After a lull of a few days, the BLUE JAY migration at the
lighthouse has picked up again. The COMMON RAVEN that has been in the
area for weeks continues to be spotted regularly, including this
morning. Only one sighting of the CAROLINA WREN at 83 Bayshore Road
occurred in the past week. Two BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER nests are within
about 150 metres of each other on Paxton Drive near the lighthouse.
Despite an unusually early "leaf-out", a high count of 27 warbler
species was reached on May 15, with an additional one on each of May 14
and 16, for a total of 29 in three days. All of the common species were
recorded, including a YELLOW WARBLER that built a nest appropriately
right beside an interpretive sign (referring to the lighthouse keeper's
dwelling) that reads "a home at last." Among the less common species
were what traditional geographers described as the essence of their
discipline: CAPES and BAYS. Bordering on rarity, or perhaps
legitimately rare, were BLUE-WINGED, GOLDEN-WINGED, ORANGE-CROWNED,
PRAIRIE, CERULEAN, and HOODED WARBLERS. A SUMMER TANAGER on May 15 was
one of very few Presqu'ile records, two of which were found on the
property of the observer. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was found on May 15.
Several LINCOLN'S SPARROWS appeared on May 20. A late RUSTY BLACKBIRD
was seen and heard on May 14 and a late PINE SISKIN on May 15.
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. Birders are encouraged to record their observations
on the bird sightings board provided near the campground office by The
Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for
species not listed there.
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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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