Most of the bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park during the past
week has consisted of shorebirds, with a sprinkling of late land birds
among the many that have settled down to breed in the Park.
There are now hundreds of CANADA GEESE gathered around the shores of the
Park, after several flocks flew in from across the lake on May 29 and
30. In addition to a good variety of dabbling ducks on the north shore
of Gull Island, there has also been a small number of SCAUP and COMMON
GOLDENEYES. One SCAUP is also lingering near the lighthouse. Five
COMMON LOONS on May 29 were likely non-breeders. PIED-BILLED GREBES
have fledged broods in the woodpile marsh and in the marsh. As recently
as June 2, a HORNED GREBE and a RED-NECKED GREBE were in Popham Bay,
where they have been for almost a fortnight. A LEAST BITTERN was found
on May 30. The previously reported WILD TURKEY has apparently decided
that it can find enough food in the woods near the calf pasture,
forsaking its affinity for human habitation. A big surprise in the form
of a noisy SANDHILL CRANE arrived in the marsh on May 28 and was seen
again on the following morning taking off and flying over the day use
area towards the lighthouse, bugling all the way.
Although there has not been a major shorebird grounding like those of
recent years, a respectable twelve species showed up in the past week.
Seventy-four BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were counted on May 30. On May 29
and 31, five WHIMBRELS flew off within sight of Owen Point. Another was
there on June 2. High counts of 84 RUDDY TURNSTONES and 107 RED KNOTS
on May 30 were much higher than before or since in the present season,
and were regrettably ephemeral. Six RED KNOTS and a WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPER were seen on June 1 and 2, respectively. A male WILSON'S
PHALAROPE put in a couple of very brief appearances.
A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was calling repeatedly between the park store and
the bird sightings board on May 31. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was at the calf
pasture on May 29, the second of the season. The RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
nest in Jobes' Woods seems to be surviving. Two BLUE JAYS were still
migrating over the lighthouse this morning. The two young COMMON RAVENS
in their recently discovered nest were close to fledging on June 2 and
were nowhere in sight or sound this afternoon. This nest is further
south than any confirmed breeding record in the most recent Breeding
Bird Atlas. An apparent nest of a CAROLINA WREN is on private property
on Bayshore Road, whose owner does not want visitors trespassing. Six
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were found on May 30. A surprising male EASTERN
BLUEBIRD was at the day use area of the Park on May 29. A male PURPLE
FINCH was singing near the start of the Owen Point trail on June 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. 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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