Almost all of the birds currently being seen at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park are probably breeding in the Park, and in some cases that was
confirmed this week. The roster includes birds of various habitats:
water birds, marsh birds, forest birds, birds of the shore, meadow birds.
A female WOOD DUCK led her four tiny ducklings in a heads-down race
across the road, with traffic coming in both directions. Three of that
species were in the marsh this afternoon. The sight of five REDHEADS in
Popham Bay was not unusual at this time of year, unlike the WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER that was there on Saturday. On the morning of June 14 a COMMON
LOON was sitting on its nest, and by the following morning the two
adults were in the adjacent water, accompanied by two tiny fledglings.
PIED-BILLED GREBES are in the marsh and in the woodpile marsh, where a
family of them was raised a year or two ago. A LEAST BITTERN flew
across the causeway outside the Park gate, and on two different days one
was calling within earshot of the marsh boardwalk. GREAT EGRETS and
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS appear to be nesting on the offshore
islands. On June 12, a day after a minor shorebird fallout, a single
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and a single DUNLIN still remained. A reported
LEAST SANDPIPER on June 16 would be a record late date for a spring
migrant if confirmed. A rare bird report should be filed with the
Park. Any non-breeding shorebirds that appear during the remainder of
this month or in early July could be referred to as either spring or
fall migrants. Two BONAPARTE'S GULLS on June 16 and a GREAT
BLACK-BACKED GULL on June 17 were also late.
Three of the four BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO observations this spring were in
the vicinity of the Owen Point trail parking lot, including one on
Monday between there and Lookout #1 on that trail. The small BANK
SWALLOW colony in the day use area appears to be thriving. On two
different days (June 12 and 16) an errant PINE SISKIN spent much of the
day at the feeder at 186 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].
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
Posting guidelines can be found at
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
