There is, as is usual at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in June, a long list
of birds seen in the past week, almost all of which are regular summer
residents. Except for a few stragglers, the spring migration is over,
and henceforth most sightings will be of birds that are here for the summer.
Both LESSER SCAUP and BUFFLEHEAD were still in Presqu'ile Bay on June 5,
but appear to have moved on since then. A surprising group of eight
COMMON GOLDENEYES was off Sebastopol Island on that date. A COMMON
MERGANSER and nine other mergansers that were either that or
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER were seen on June 4. A GREEN HERON was seen on
June 4 and another on June 7.
An OSPREY was at Salt Point today. Both VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA were in
the marsh. Among the remaining shorebirds, a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and a
WHIMBREL were on the beach on June 3. Twenty RED KNOTS flew past Owen
Point on June 4, and two were still on the beach today. Several
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and DUNLINS have been on the beach all week.
Again this week, an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed from the Owen Point
trail. A BONAPARTE'S GULL was still on the beach on June 3 and three
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Owen Point today. Twice this week, a
"white-winged" gull, either an ICELAND or a GLAUCOUS GULL was seen, once
in Presqu'ile Bay and once on the beach. It was in mid-June some years
ago that a SANDWICH TERN showed up at Presqu'ile. That is not likely to
be repeated this year if ever, but it indicates that even after the
migration is over there can still be surprises for those birders
persistent enough to continue looking.
A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO posed for some excellent views on June 7.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have been seen on most days. The remnants of a
BLUE JAY migration occurred on June 8, when five of them flew over the
lighthouse before moving on. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was found on at
least one day in the past week, as was a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. MOURNING
WARBLERS have been vocal all week. ORCHARD ORIOLES can be found with
little difficulty.
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.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [email protected].
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
