Fall bird migration is in full swing at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and
birds are now appearing in good numbers in all of the varied habitats
that characterize the Park. The imminent "ill wind" is forecast to pass
right over Presqu'ile. While that is considered unwelcome by most
normal people, it creates a stir of anticipation among birders, as past
experience has shown that exotic oceanic or even tropical waifs are
often caught up in hurricanes and swept along to places where they are
not expected. The coming weekend may provide some such excitement at
Presqu'ile.
Great Egrets, as many as four at a time, have been feeding along the
shore of High Bluff Island this week, while others have been seen flying
overhead.
A good variety of ducks is included in the growing numbers in Popham Bay
and Presqu'ile Bay. In addition to most of the normal dabbling ducks,
there have been reported sightings of Redheads (four on September 18),
Greater Scaup (about fifteen in Popham Bay on September 16), Surf and
White-winged Scoters, and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Most birders visiting Gull Island or spending time at Owen Point have
been treated to shorebird attacks by one and sometimes two Merlins.
American Coots have begun to build up the flock that traditionally
frequents the outer fringe of the marsh until freeze-up.
While shorebird numbers are down substantially from earlier weeks,
several dozen can still be found on Gull Island and the adjacent
mainland, and, to a lesser extent, along the beaches. The dominant
species now are Sanderlings and Semipalmated Sandpipers, but there have
also been American Golden-Plovers, Whimbrels (8 on the beach - briefly -
on September 13 and 2 flying past on September 15), Red Knots (up till
September 13), White-rumped, Baird's, and Stilt Sandpipers, Dunlins
(which will soon be the dominant shorebird), and up to 10 Short-billed
Dowitchers. For the rest of the fall season, any dowitchers should be
examined closely, for Long-billed Dowitchers, which are easily
overlooked because of their similarity to the much commoner Short-billed
Dowitchers, tend to appear somewhat later in the season.
The few remaining flycatchers are mainly Eastern Phoebes, but a Great
Crested Flycatcher was seen at the lighthouse on September 16. This is
the time of year when rare western flycatchers sometimes make their way
to southern Ontario, and birders can be on the lookout for them. A
Brown Creeper, perhaps one of the resident birds, was seen at the
lighthouse on September 15. House Wrens and Marsh Wrens are still being
seen, but we are still awaiting the first Winter Wren of the fall. A
Ruby-crowned Kinglet at the calf pasture on September 17 and several
Swainson's Thrushes on September 14 and 15 are the first of those
species this season.
There has been a steady movement of warblers this week, including a
fairly late Yellow Warbler on September 16 and a Mourning Warbler on the
same date. Along with the warblers there was a Scarlet Tanager and
numerous Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. There was also a report of a
Lincoln's Sparrow on September 13.
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 knee-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
R.R. #4,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
Fred Helleiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving
and joining the list. As well as general information and content
guidelines.
