"Exceptionally warm and pleasant weather at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
has slowed the bird migration but has provided many birders the
opportunity to enjoy studying birds at their leisure, especially on Gull
Island." Those words, written here almost exactly a year ago, bear
repeating today. Compared to last week, and compared to what one might
expect in mid-September, birding has seemed somewhat lacklustre, but not
lacking in some elements of excitement.
Birders seeking a challenge have made a point of adding their
contributions to the ongoing debate about the identity of the
TUNDRA/TRUMPETER SWAN that continues to linger on and around Sebastopol
Island. The largest concentration of ducks, both dabbling ducks and
diving ducks, has been in the vicinity of Gull and Sebastopol Islands.
Exceptional because of their numbers were 11 or12 NORTHERN SHOVELERS and
35 GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Tuesday. Matching or exceeding last year's
record count of 20 WILD TURKEYS was a flock of 20-24, perhaps as many as
30, crossing the road near the calf pasture on Sunday. A banded and
very tame ROCK PIGEON has been on Gull Island. Even more unusual in
that location was a VIRGINIA RAIL. Two AMERICAN COOTS on Saturday may
be the first of the season.
While shorebird numbers are far from what they were in recent weeks, the
mix of species has changed. AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, as many as five,
are found on Gull Island almost every day. An elusive WHIMBREL was
spotted on at least two different days. The MARBLED GODWIT that was
first encountered on Gull Island on September 13 was seen regularly
until September 19. Five RUDDY TURNSTONES were there on Sunday and
three were there yesterday. By now SANDERLINGS comprise the vast
majority of shorebirds. There have also been, /inter alia/, a few
DUNLINS, BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, as well as a
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER as recently as yesterday. SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHER was on Gull Island on Friday and Tuesday. A few SPOTTED
SANDPIPERS are still around, as well as both GREATER and LESSER
YELLOWLEGS. One of the few PARASITIC JAEGER sightings in recent years
was on September 22 six years ago. Someone reported a COMMON TERN on
September 18, which is a rather late date. Seven BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERONS were seen one evening.
Double-digit TURKEY VULTURES have been scavenging on the islands and
drifting off to the west. On September 19 there was an early NORTHERN
GOSHAWK. A BALD EAGLE and a NORTHERN HARRIER were also seen.
Persistence paid off when night-time birding yielded a BARRED OWL and
two GREAT HORNED OWLS. One or two PEREGRINE FALCONS are being seen
regularly along the shores, scattering the shorebirds and gulls.
A very late EASTERN KINGBIRD was at the calf pasture on September 17 and
18, and another or the same one was seen at 83 Bayshore Road on the 16th
and another was seen at the lighthouse on September 17. Three
PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were sighted in the past week. For the first time
this fall, BLUE JAYS were migrating past the lighthouse in small numbers
this morning. A very late date for a BANK SWALLOW, though not the
latest ever, was established on September 19. A HOUSE WREN was also
seen on that date. A good variety of warblers has been present all
week. Perhaps the only surprise was that a PINE WARBLER was singing
yesterday, when all of the others ceased doing so long ago. Although a
SAVANNAH SPARROW was on Gull Island on Sunday and a WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROW was seen yesterday, the big influx of sparrows will likely occur
when the current heat wave ends. A BOBOLINK flew over 83 Bayshore Road
on Tuesday. Not to be forgotten is the YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD that
pleased many birders between September 11 and 17.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through water that is almost a metre
deep, not taking into account any wave action,.in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days after tomorrow. 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] <mailto:[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 (OFO) - 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
Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
