Favourable weather conditions and input from a number of observers have
contributed to a good number of sightings in Presqu'ile Provincial Park
in the past week, especially among returning shorebirds.
The count of WOOD DUCKS in the marsh continues to rise, with 16 seen
today. On two consecutive days, a pair of GREEN-WINGED TEAL was in
Popham Bay. REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP have also been there this week.
Two HOODED and one COMMON MERGANSER were there late last week. One of
the former flew past the lighthouse this afternoon. About
30 PIED-BILLED GREBES were in the marsh on August 15. LEAST BITTERNS
were seen twice in the past week. On the basis of several photographs,
a sketch, and detailed descriptive notes, a consensus has been reached
that the rare ibis that was seen several times on Gull Island in the
past two months was a WHITE-FACED IBIS, the first ever in Presqu'ile Park.
Several species of raptors were noted in the past week: OSPREY, BALD
EAGLE, NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWK, MERLIN.
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were present on August 12 and 13. As many as 10
LESSER YELLOWLEGS were counted on one day. A WILLET on August 14 was
photographed before it flew away. A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER today and a
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER two days ago were among a large number of other
"peeps". The first PECTORAL SANDPIPER of the season was found
yesterday. A SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was on Gull Island on August 15.
All told, there were 13 species of shorebirds, with more to come in the
next few weeks. Three BONAPARTE'S GULLS and two GREAT BLACK-BACKED
GULLS have been in the Owen Point area. Birders visiting the beach in
the evening for the next week or two should be on the alert for COMMON
NIGHTHAWKS.
In addition to the RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS that continue to frequent the
feeders at 83 Bayshore Road, other woodpeckers of interest this week
were a juvenile YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and at least two PILEATED
WOODPECKERS. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO near the Park office on August 14 was
early. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS are being seen more frequently this week
than earlier in the summer. Warblers have been slow to appear but a
NORTHERN PARULA was seen yesterday. Two EASTERN TOWHEES at Lilac Lane
and one near the Park office suggest that at least two pairs spent the
summer in the area. Although FIELD SPARROWS have been present all
summer in the calf pasture area, the one seen at Owen Point on Sunday
may have been an early migrant. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW seen yesterday
was the first in several weeks. A PURPLE FINCH was seen on August 16.
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/
