When compared with conditions a month ago, birding at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park seems fairly quiet now, but when compared with birding
in many surrounding areas at this time of year, the variety of species
in the Park makes one appreciate the opportunities that exist here.
The Common Loons that are being seen and/or heard from time to time
(both in Presqu'ile Bay and in the open lake) are likely non-breeding
individuals. Great Egrets are among the attractions that Presqu'ile has
for birders, and on most days one or more can be seen, either on the
beach or on High Bluff Island (with a spotting scope) or, less commonly,
in the marsh.
Several species of ducks not normally present in June have appeared
during the past week, most of them on or around Gull Island: Gadwalls,
an American Wigeon, a male Green-winged Teal on June 12, up to 14
Redheads, and a female Red-breasted Merganser on June 13 and 16. A
Hooded Merganser was in the woodpile marsh on June 12.
The resident Merlin(s) near the Nature Centre have been exceptionally
obliging in letting birders find them. Four species of non-resident
shorebirds have been seen on the beach and on Gull Island within the
past week. A Black-bellied Plover was present from June 12 - 15 at the
north end of the Owen Point trail. Three Ruddy Turnstones were on Gull
Island on June 12. As many as seven Semipalmated Sandpipers can be
found on most days with careful scanning and the aid of a spotting
scope. White-rumped Sandpipers were seen on June 11 (2) and June 14
(1). A few Bonaparte's Gulls have also been in that area as recently as
June 16.
Purple Martins are again occupying an "apartment house" erected for them
at 192 Bayshore Road. One of the Black-capped Chickadees patronizing
the feeders at 186 and 191 Bayshore Road for a number of weeks is
recognizable because of its pure white tail. On June 17, it was
accompanied by a Red-breasted Nuthatch, the first of that species found
in that part of the Park for many weeks.
With spring officially ending in four more days, it is reasonable to
assume that any remaining warblers at Presqu'ile are not still in
migration. Among those seen since last week's report are Magnolia,
Yellow-rumped, and Mourning Warblers and a Northern Waterthrush.
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.
