There have been some interesting surprises for birders at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park this week, at least one of which may indicate the start
of the fall migration. At a time of year which is often the doldrums of
birding, the past week has been remarkably productive.
The WOOD DUCK concentration in the marsh is up to fifteen birds, best
seen by looking west from the camp office viewing stand. The only new
ducks in the past week were a pair of male GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Gull
Island on June 23, one of which was still there the next day. There has
also been a male scaup there and both COMMON and RED-BREASTED
MERGANSERS. An AMERICAN and a LEAST BITTERN flew over the marsh
boardwalk within minutes of each other. GREAT EGRETS are a daily
sighting flying over the Park, as well as on their nests on High Bluff
Island. TURKEY VULTURES were feeding on the beach twice this week, four
together on one occasion. An OSPREY and a BROAD-WINGED HAWK have been
seen at the calf pasture, the latter on June 25, an unusual date for
that species at Presqu'ile. A RUFFED GROUSE was out on one of the roadways.
The first apparently migrant shorebirds were three BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS
on the beach on June 24. Since that species is normally a later
migrant, those partially moulted birds may have been late spring
migrants. The DUNLIN at Owen Point on the next day was in full breeding
(alternate) plumage, so was also likely not a returning fall migrant.
On the other hand, a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER at Owen Point yesterday and
today may well have been a record early fall migrant. Perhaps a LESSER
YELLOWLEGS will be the next to appear. The three AMERICAN WOODCOCKS
near the Park store were certainly part of the local breeding
population. There were still a few BONAPARTE'S GULLS at Owen Point this
past week, including one both yesterday and today. An adult GREAT
BLACK-BACKED GULL on June 23 was the first in some time.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was heard at the calf pasture and a cuckoo of
unknown species called briefly at Owen Point today. At 9:45 p.m. on
June 26, an EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL called for a couple of minutes behind
one of the Bayshore Road houses, before moving off. That species has
not been known to appear at Presqu'ile in the summer for a number of
years. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was at Owen Point on June 24. An ALDER
FLYCATCHER at the calf pasture was the first in several weeks. The
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER nest reported last week is deserted with three
cold eggs in it. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
were also at the calf pasture. ORCHARD ORIOLES continue to be seen here
and there. PINE SISKINS have been visiting the feeders at 83 Bayshore Road.
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/
