Very little has changed since last week in the bird life at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park. Nevertheless, one or two sightings have got people
wondering whether the spring migration will ever end. Meanwhile, as the
nights get longer (have you noticed?), birders begin to anticipate early
fall migrants.
On June 18 single females of COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were
seen. The presence of COMMON LOONS in Presqu'ile Bay suggests that,
again this year, they may be breeding there, as they have in recent
years. GREAT EGRETS continue on their nests on High Bluff Island. If
those volunteers who will soon be guarding the PIPING PLOVERS on
three-hour shifts train their spotting scopes on the west end of that
island, they should be able to spot several of the egrets. Three TURKEY
VULTURES were on the beach yesterday. The OSPREYS nesting on the Salt
Point lighthouse have two rapidly growing young. The BROAD-WINGED HAWK
seen yesterday, while the first sighting in over a month, was a reminder
that the species may actually be nesting in the Park. A COMMON GALLINULE
was in the woodpile marsh again this morning.
Arrangements are being made for volunteers to guard the nesting PIPING
PLOVERS on beach 2, in anticipation of the imminent hatching of the
eggs. Two exceptionally late shorebird sightings were of a RUDDY
TURNSTONE on June 20 and a SANDERLING on June 21. Well over 100 CASPIAN
TERNS are gathered daily at Owen Point. Old-timers who were birding
Owen Point 28 years ago and recall the SANDWICH TERN that hung out there
at this time of year are on the lookout for a LEAST TERN that was seen
this week at Darlington Provincial Park and was last seen flying towards
the east,/i.e/., towards Presqu'ile.
An AMERICAN KESTREL was at the calf pasture on the weekend. A WILLOW
FLYCATCHER was found on Saturday. COMMON RAVENS were spotted on three
different days. Birders with keen ears may be able to find the two
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS that were near Jobes' woods on Saturday.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and INDIGO BUNTING are both regular summer birds
in the Park and were both seen in the past week.
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.
There is also a restricted area at beach 2, where the nesting site of
Piping Plovers has been roped off.
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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