Despite the fact that record high lake water levels restricted access to
some parts of the Park, most birders who came to Presqu'ile Provincial
Park on the weekend found a good variety of birds.
Flocks of BRANT flew past on May 20 and 22. A BLUE-WINGED TEAL
photographed on the flooded beach on May 19 was apparently the only one
at Presqu'ile this spring. At this late date any sightings of /Aythya/
ducks are of interest, but four species were seen on the weekend:
CANVASBACK, REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK, GREATER SCAUP. RUFFED GROUSE are
being heard regularly, and three WILD TURKEYS were on one of the ski
trails. Up to this point, the shorebird migration which is usually a
feature of late May birding at Presqu'ile has been adversely affected by
the limited habitat, though not quite a total washout. In the past
there have been rarities during this period, including SNOWY PLOVER (May
24-31, 2001), WILSON'S PLOVER (May 26-27, 2006), and AMERICAN
OYSTERCATCHER (May 23-June 4, 1960), any of which could conceivably
recur if lake water levels begin to recede. This weekend, there was a
brief sighting at a very long distance of a plover that could have been
either a SNOWY PLOVER or a PIPING PLOVER. On May 20, a high count of 16
SPOTTED SANDPIPERS was unusual, and at least 20 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS
found refuge in a flooded grassy area of the beach, where they posed for
a photograph. A BONAPARTE'S GULL was also on the beach on that day.
A BARRED OWL in Newcastle woods was both seen and heard in broad
daylight. RED-HEADED, RED-BELLIED (as many as five in one day), and
PILEATED WOODPECKERS all appeared on the weekend. There were two MERLIN
sightings on the weekend. There was a visual identification of an ALDER
FLYCATCHER at the lighthouse on May 22. Four vireo species present on
the weekend included YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and PHILADELPHIA VIREO.
COMMON RAVEN sightings continue, as well as BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS.
There was a report of a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER heard singing but not seen
on the Owen Point trail. Among the many more common warbler species
seen this week, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and HOODED WARBLER were two other
species that are not often seen in spring at Presqu'ile. Most of the
sparrow migration has ended, but it is worth remembering that one of the
two LARK SPARROW records from the Park was on May 29, fifteen years
ago. A late RUSTY BLACKBIRD was heard singing on May 22. ORCHARD
ORIOLES are now regular, as they are a summer bird in the Park.
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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