Despite the persistence of cold weather all week at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park, new birds are arriving almost every day, albeit mostly
single individuals rather than a surge of migrants. The next few days
should change that.
Five species of ducks in the /Aythya/ genus continue to gather in
Presqu'ile Bay by the hundreds. Three WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS flew past
today. A RUFFED GROUSE was eating tree buds yesterday. A highlight of
the spring each year at Presqu'ile is the congregation of RED-THROATED
LOONS, a species unfamiliar to many birders, in Popham Bay in late
April. The first two were spotted there yesterday. OSPREYS have once
again occupied the nest atop the lighthouse off Salt Point. On High
Bluff Island this morning there was a NORTHERN HARRIER and a buteo that
appeared to be a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. A WILSON'S SNIPE was winnowing
yesterday, and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed from the roadside this
morning. BONAPARTE'S GULLS were moving east past the point this morning
in good numbers, raising hopes that a LITTLE GULL might appear in the
next few days. CASPIAN TERNS have been seen on at least two occasions
in the past week. Two MERLINS appear to have established a nest site in
the campground, and another two (or perhaps the same ones) were seen
near Atkins Lane.
A single PURPLE MARTIN was examining a nest box on Monday. EASTERN
TOWHEES were seen at three different sites since Tuesday. The first
SAVANNAH SPARROW of the year was on a lawn on that day, and the first
FOX SPARROW appeared on Saturday. An influx of sparrows is probably
imminent. Singles of PURPLE FINCH and PINE SISKIN have also been present.
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
