The pace of the spring bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has
returned to normal, with at least one day on which a wave of migrants
appeared and a steady trickle on most other days. The exceptions are
two reports of birds that are not normally rare at Presqu'ile but which
can not be expected as early as this in spring.
A SNOW GOOSE was on Gull Island on April 16. Among the eighteen duck
species in the Park in the past week were a pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS at
Gull Island (the first in over a month), a late CANVASBACK on April 15,
and a female BLACK SCOTER off the lighthouse on April 13. SURF SCOTERS
should be appearing soon. RED-THROATED LOONS have been seen in small
numbers (up to five) in Popham Bay. Up till April 16, there were two
RED-NECKED GREBES off the lighthouse. All of the regular heron-related
birds except LEAST BITTERN and GREEN HERON are now back, with at least
four AMERICAN BITTERNS in the marsh, at least six GREAT EGRETS on the
nests at High Bluff Island (as well as two foraging in the marsh), and
about twelve BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS on Sebastopol Island. Three
SANDHILL CRANES flew over the marsh on April 16. The beginnings of the
transient shorebird migration involved a LEAST SANDPIPER on April 18 (a
rather early date) and a DUNLIN on April 16 and two on April 18 and 19.
Although AMERICAN WOODCOCKS are summer residents at Presqu'ile, the one
at the lighthouse was probably a late transient. Two ICELAND GULLS on
Sebastopol Island on April 17 should have moved on before this. With so
many CASPIAN TERNS around, one has to wonder about the report of two
very early COMMON TERNS on April 16.
A GREAT HORNED OWL was heard at the entrance to the "fingers", where the
species is resident. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have been encountered at
three different parts of the Park this week. The most intriguing report
of the week was of a WARBLING VIREO on April 19, a full eight days
earlier than the previous record, suggesting that a rare bird report
form should be submitted to the Park. Single PURPLE MARTINS were near
the lighthouse on two separate days, and two BANK SWALLOWS were there on
April 17. Not unexpected were the single BROWN THRASHERS that were seen
in separate areas of the Park on each of the last four days. April 16
saw an influx of YELLOW-RUMPED and PINE WARBLERS, both of which were
present at the calf pasture on April 13, but no other warbler species
have yet been found. Two EASTERN TOWHEES were here on April 16. Other
sparrows that have recently returned include CHIPPING, FIELD, FOX, and
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. A few PURPLE FINCHES have been present and
vocal for several days. PINE SISKINS are a daily sighting.
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].
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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/
