The heat wave of the past few days has not been conducive to good bird
finding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Nevertheless one can almost
always find something of interest, especially now that the fall
migration has, albeit minimally, reached Presqu'ile.
Almost100 MUTE SWANS were in Popham Bay this morning, as well as "good"
numbers elsewhere around the peninsula. When, if ever, the authorities
will follow the lead of neighbouring jurisdictions and undertake control
measures against that alien invasive before the situation is
irretrievable remains to be seen. The WOOD DUCKS in the innermost part
of the marsh are becoming increasingly difficult to spot among the lily
pads. Two AMERICAN WIGEONS, four REDHEADS, a male scaup, and a
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER are the other ducks of interest in the past
week. GREAT EGRETS are greatly outnumbering both GREAT BLUE HERONS and
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, both of which are also present in the Park.
A TURKEY VULTURE flew over the Park this morning and a SHARP-SHINNED
HAWK was near the lighthouse yesterday. The only new shorebirds were
two LEAST SANDPIPERS on July 3 and 4, one of which was still present
today. BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS have been known to arrive in July, and there
is a growing mat of algae at Owen Point to attract them. About 130
CASPIAN TERNS and a few COMMON TERNS are loafing off Owen Point on most
mornings.
Swallows and their young are lining up on hydro wires and elsewhere.
CAROLINA WRENS were found at two locations in the Park this week, the
first to have made their presence known since the spring. On Tuesday a
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was in one of the campgrounds. PINE SISKINS
continue to show up at feeders on 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/
