Birders visiting Presqu'ile Provincial Park last weekend, especially on
Sunday, were treated to an amazing display of hordes of newly arrived
migrant birds, some of which have remained in subsequent days. In
addition, several birds have been seen in the Park on dates that are
later than expected for those species.
Waterfowl generally build up in October, so a few flocks of BRANT and
TUNDRA SWANS can be expected. As yet, however, the composition of the
waterfowl assemblages remains largely unchanged except for a few more
SURF and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and COMMON GOLDENEYES than before. Popham
Bay is the place to go to see grebes: dozens of HORNED, a few
RED-NECKED, and, still today, a breeding-plumaged EARED GREBE. For most
of these a scope is required. A GREEN HERON at the calf pasture on
October 6 and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON on October 3 were birds not
often seen this late. A significant (for Presqu'ile) raptor migration
on October 5 was largely to the north of the Park but could be seen from
the marsh boardwalk. It included many TURKEY VULTURES, a late OSPREY, a
BALD EAGLE, numerous accipiters, a few buteos, and an immature GOLDEN
EAGLE. MERLINS and PEREGRINE FALCONS continue to be seen from Owen
Point and Gull Island.
A flock of 25 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS was on the beach today. As many as
20 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS have been among the eleven species that make
up the few hundred shorebirds that are still around. Earlier in the
week two BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS and a STILT SANDPIPER were at Owen Point and
a RED KNOT was on Gull Island . An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed from
the Owen Point trail. No CASPIAN TERNS have been seen for the past two
days.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO flew over a birder on October 1, almost but not
quite a record late date for Presqu'ile. The calf pasture seems to be
the most reliable place in the Park to find RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. A
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO on October 1 were
both late dates, as was a BARN SWALLOW on October 4. A CAROLINA WREN on
October 3 and 6 at 186 Bayshore Road was the fourth observation of that
species in just over six weeks, apparently representing different
individuals each time. Among the many birds that descended on the Park
on the weekend were numerous thrushes: GRAY-CHEEKED, SWAINSON'S, HERMIT,
and WOOD THRUSHES. Sixteen species of warblers were in the Park in the
past week, but by now only a few can be found by scanning the hordes of
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. Typical of early October, ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS are being seen regularly. There was an EASTERN TOWHEE on the
weekend. The traditional place to find NELSON'S SPARROWS is on Gull
Island, so finding one in the marsh was unusual. It gave the observers
an excellent view for a full 30 seconds, which is always a noteworthy
event. On Sunday the Park was overrun with WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, one
estimate placing the numbers in the low thousands. There have also been
many WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and DARK-EYED JUNCOES. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR
on Gull Island and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD in the marsh were of interest.
PINE SISKINS have appeared in good numbers.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through knee-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days. 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].
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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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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/
