In the aftermath of the tropical storm that reached southern Ontario
last week, a number of exotic birds were discovered in various places.
Regrettably for those many people whose birding takes place largely at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park, none of the recent bird sightings can be
attributed to that storm. Nevertheless, the Park has, as usual,
provided many other birds of interest during the past week.
A Red-throated Loon was reported on September 20, but no details as to
location or observer were provided. Four days later, three Common Loons
flew south over the peninsula, presumably migrating out over the lake.
On that day, a tight group of about 20 Horned Grebes was floating just
off the tip of Owen Point.
During the height of the above-mentioned storm, eight Great Egrets were
counted as they flew from High Bluff Island to the mainland. Other
members of that family observed this week include American Bitterns that
are being seen regularly in the marsh and a Green Heron reported on
September 20.
Since the duck hunt opens on September 27, the last opportunity for
easily seeing the hundreds of ducks that have gathered at Presqu'ile
will be tomorrow. After that, the pickings will likely be much
slimmer. Ring-necked Ducks first appeared in the marsh on September 23,
along with many others feeding there. The flock of Greater Scaup in
Popham Bay has been gradually growing larger with each passing day, but
the nearby male White-winged Scoter remains unaccompanied.
At least two Bald Eagles, an adult and an immature, were present on
September 20. Other raptors have been drifting through the Park
throughout the week, including Cooper's Hawks on at least two days, two
Broad-winged Hawks on September 21, and Merlins and Peregrine Falcons
that have become fairly regular wherever the shorebirds gather.
Rough-legged Hawks are likely to be among the next wave of hawks to pass
through.
A surprising find was a dead Ring-necked Pheasant washed up on the beach
on September 22. Both Common Moorhens and American Coots can be seen
from the road by scanning the vegetation in the marsh, and the latter
species is also congregating in the open water at the outer edge of the
marsh (opposite 38 Bayshore Road).
The variety of shorebirds along the beach and on Gull Island
(approaching 20 species this week) continues to be the main attraction
of Presqu'ile for birders at this time of year. A few American
Golden-Plovers are seen almost every day, a Solitary Sandpiper stopped
briefly at the beach on September 22, a Spotted Sandpiper was still
present on September 20, Ruddy Turnstones were seen on September 20, 23,
and 24, a Red Knot was seen on three different days, and an ailing Stilt
Sandpiper was caught on September 20 but did not survive. If confirmed,
the best find, however, was a Godwit, possibly a Marbled Godwit, that
was reported, without any details, on September 24.
This fall, there have been few noteworthy gulls at Presqu'ile, and no
jaegers yet. Normally several jaegers have been seen by this date. An
unconfirmed report of a Black Tern on September 20 is much later than
any previous record of that species in the Park. If the unknown
observer could provide details, it would help to determine whether the
sighting was of a much rarer species blown here by the storm on the
preceding day.
A Great Crested Flycatcher seen at Owen Point on September 21 was rather
late in the season for that species. The rarest flycatcher ever found
at Presqu'ile, however, a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, appeared on an
even later date in September in 1986. Horned Larks have been present on
Gull Island since September 21.
Up till now, the migration of thrushes, warblers, and other songbirds
has been very disappointing. Only a few small flocks can be found on a
given day of searching. Among the species reported are Swainson's,
Hermit, and Wood Thrushes, Tennessee, Orange-crowned, and Bay-breasted
Warblers, and a Scarlet Tanager. A Field Sparrow and a Lapland
Longspur on September 20 were the only migrants of those species to
date. Within the next week, the first of the elusive Nelson's
Sharp-tailed Sparrows that frequent Gull Island during their fall
migration may be expected.
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. It
should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, Owen Point,
and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird watching on
those days.
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.
