Some unexpected duck sightings and a few observations of birds that are
normally farther north at this season are the most interesting features
of the past week's birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
A pair of RING-NECKED DUCKS in the marsh on July 3 raises the question
of whether they might be breeding in the Park, which has not been noted
previously. Two male BUFFLEHEADS in the marsh on July 6 and singles
earlier in the week are also the first July records at Presqu'ile. One
of them has been present periodically in late May and early June. Three
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, one male and two females, were off Sebastopol
Island on July 5. An adult COMMON LOON with two chicks appeared on July
3 in the marsh. Three LEAST BITTERNS on July 4 are indicative of a
healthy population of a bird that is seldom seen because of its largely
inaccessible habitat. A few GREAT EGRETS are still on their High Bluff
Island nests, but they are being seen more often now elsewhere in the
Park. The possibility exists that one of the southern herons, or even
an ibis, having finished breeding on the south side of the Great Lakes,
might wander to this side of Lake Ontario in July and show up at
Presqu'ile. Both OSPREY and COOPER'S HAWK were seen this week. COMMON
MOORHENS are being seen more frequently this week than earlier in the
season. The handful of BONAPARTE'S GULLS and the immature GREAT
BLACK-BACKED GULL have not been seen since July 3.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER continues to appear at 83 Bayshore Road. Most
of the PURPLE MARTINS have left their houses along Bayshore Road. A
CLIFF SWALLOW was seen on July 6. Among the birds that summer at
Presqu'ile but are generally found farther north, several have been seen
this week. They include BROWN CREEPER and both WINTER WREN and PINE
WARBLER with young. Other more "northern" warblers seen this week are
NASHVILLE (July 7), NORTHERN PARULA (July 1), CHESTNUT-SIDED, and
BLACK-AND-WHITE. Some of them are appearing in places where they have
not been seen all summer and may actually be fall migrants. More
"southern" birds like BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER and ORCHARD ORIOLE have been
present all summer and continue to be seen. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
was seen with young on July 4, another bird that is here every summer
but is associated with northern Ontario in many people's minds. A PINE
SISKIN at a Bayshore Road feeder, the first since late May, is a species
that bred in the Park in 1985 but is normally far north of here in
summer. Given that small numbers were at Presqu'ile throughout May,
that may have happened again this year.
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/
