For birders at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, the focus has shifted this
week from land birds to shorebirds. There are still plenty of migrant
warblers, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, and other land birds around but
the rapidly thickening foliage is making them increasingly difficult to
find.
A Red-necked Grebe was off Beach 1 on May 18. A significant migration
of Brant occurred on May 16 and 17, when several large flocks flew past
the peninsula. Two flocks of White-winged Scoters also flew past on the
latter date.
The Merlins nesting near the staff house can be found with little
trouble on most days, and have also been observed devouring other birds.
A Yellow Rail was heard calling near the beginning of the marsh
boardwalk on May 16. Two sightings of a Sandhill Crane occurred this
week, one flying past Owen Point on May 17 and the other flying over the
causeway towards the Park on May 19.
Shorebirds of several species are now being sighted regularly on the
beach and on the offshore gravel bars and islands, where they can be
observed through spotting scopes from Owen Point. Their numbers have
fluctuated greatly from day to day this week. Some high counts occurred
on May 18 (30 Red Knots and 400 or more Dunlins) and May 19 (53
Whimbrels that flew in late in the morning and remained all afternoon).
Some fairly early sightings took place on May 15 (two each of
Black-bellied Plover, Red Knot, and Short-billed Dowitcher) and May 16
(one Whimbrel). Ruddy Turnstones first appeared on May 18 and a
Semipalmated Sandpiper on the following day. The bulk of the shorebird
migration can be expected during the next two weeks. A Little Gull was
seen at Owen Point on May 16 and 19.
The first Black-billed Cuckoo was found on May 20. There have been
sporadic sightings near the lighthouse this week of Red-headed
Woodpeckers and daily sightings there and elsewhere of Red-bellied
Woodpeckers, which are particularly vocal in the early hours of the
day. Flycatchers of several species have been more prevalent this week
than before, including the first Eastern Wood-Pewee on May 14 and
Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers on May 18. Veery,
Gray-cheeked Thrush, and Swainson's Thrush were all present on May 14.
Although birders at Presqu'ile have yet to experience this year one of
those days when the bushes are "dripping with warblers", there has been
a steady movement every day, with a few interesting sightings, including
Golden-winged Warblers on May 15 and 20, "Brewster's" Warblers, a late
Nashville Warbler on May 20, a Cerulean Warbler on May 15, a number of
Blackpoll Warblers beginning on May 15, and a surprising report of a
Kentucky Warbler which could not be found again after the original
sighting on May 14.
A Lincoln's Sparrow was still present on May 20, and two White-crowned
Sparrows on May 19 and a Dark-eyed Junco on May 14 were also late.
Several Orchard Orioles were seen during the past week in various
locations, but the most reliable area seems to be between 83 Bayshore
Road, where they are frequenting feeders, and Langdon Avenue. Pine
Siskins are also continuing to visit those feeders.
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.
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.
