Again this week, a few rarities spiced up the birding at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park, indicating that the spring migration is not over.
A lone BRANT spent a few days on the shore of Gull Island. Both
RING-NECKED DUCK (May 22) and LESSER SCAUP (May 24 and 25) were among
the late waterfowl migrants. Fifteen WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS flew past on
Sunday. A RED-THROATED LOON flew past Owen Point on May 26. At least
one HORNED GREBE, the first in several weeks, appeared on May 25. This
morning a LEAST BITTERN flew past in the marsh. The GREAT EGRET colony
on High Bluff Island appears to have been destroyed by raccoons, but a
few individuals have been seen there in the past week. At least for
this year, the species is no longer one of the common summer birds. Two
SANDHILL CRANES were at the marsh boardwalk on Saturday.
Shorebirds have been the news-makers this week, with thousands
descending on Presqu'ile on Sunday and respectable numbers on every
other day. There were double-digit numbers of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS on
at least three different days. The expected WHIMBRELS did not
disappoint, with small groups on the traditional date of May 24 and
singles on at least two subsequent days. RUDDY TURNSTONES have also
been present in good numbers. One of the biggest attractions was a
flock of 50 RED KNOTS on May 24 that stayed only briefly. SANDERLINGS,
while present every day this week, have not yet reached their expected
numbers, but SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, now in the hundreds, are currently
the dominant shorebirds. For two consecutive days a WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPER was present. All the foregoing sightings notwithstanding, the
unquestioned shorebird highlights, marveled at by birders and
non-birders alike, were the thousands of DUNLINS that occupied, it
seemed, every square metre of shoreline and much of the air space.
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS were seen on May 24 (10 birds on Gull Island),
25, and 26. All of the few ARCTIC TERN records for Presqu'ile have
fallen between May 26 and June 2, and the one on Owen Point yesterday
was within that window.
Two fledgling BARRED OWLS accompanied by an adult in an undisclosed
location provided an opportunity for a close-up photo of one of the
young birds. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen on May 24 and 25 and CHIMNEY
SWIFTS on May 22 and 25. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are apparently here to
stay for the summer. MERLINS appear to be nesting in the Park, though
no nest has yet been found. A PEREGRINE FALCON was attracted to the
shorebird swarms on Sunday. At least one OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was
seen on Sunday. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO on Sunday was on the late side. A
COMMON RAVEN on Monday was the only one noted this week. A BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER on Sunday was one of the few seen in the Park this year.
The latest RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was on May 22. Surprisingly, no one has
yet reported a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH or a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD this
spring. Although the warbler migration has definitely slowed down,
Sunday's birdathon yielded a good variety of both early and late
species. Since the most recent PROTHONOTARY WARBLER record for the Park
was in June, birders should not yet give up on their search for
migrants, rare or otherwise. CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS continue at the calf
pasture. One of only three Presqu'ile LARK SPARROW records was on May 29
(in 2002), so even rare sparrow sightings can not be ruled out even this
late in the season. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW on May 24 was rather late. A
BOBOLINK on the ground at Owen Point on May 22 was a bit of a surprise.
ORCHARD ORIOLES will likely remain a fairly common bird in the Park for
the rest of the summer.
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
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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