For birding, the most interesting part of Presqu'ile Provincial Park
during the past week has been the "natural" beach north of Owen Point,
where considerable deposits of algae have begun to build up, providing
excellent habitat for shorebirds and others. The woodpile marsh beside
High Bluff campground is providing good opportunities for observing a
variety of birds from the convenience of a roadside and without the
nuisance of mosquitoes.
On several days this week, there have been one or two Common Loons near
the lighthouse. Pied-billed Grebes with young are frequenting the
woodpile marsh. Great Egrets appear to be scarcer than in recent years
but can be found from time to time either in the marsh or around Popham
Bay. A lone Black-crowned Night-Heron was on Sebastopol Island on July
10. A Common Goldeneye and a Red-breasted Merganser near Gull Island on
July 9 were unusual for this time of year.
A Northern Harrier flying out over Presqu'ile Bay and a Common Moorhen
in the woodpile marsh, while not unusual at this time of year, have not
been seen in those particular locations for a number of weeks.
There has been a significant build-up of shorebirds along the "natural"
beach over the past few days, including a very early Semipalmated Plover
on July 13, about a dozen Lesser Yellowlegs, a few each of Semipalmated
and Least Sandpipers, and Short-billed Dowitchers (one on July 13 and
two on the following day).
A Barred Owl found along Jobes' Woods trail on July 8 was not drawn to
my attention until after last week's report was written.
A White-throated Sparrow was singing near Cruise Cottage on July 10.
Rare in summer, a Pine Siskin fed briefly at a feeder at 186 Bayshore
Road on July 11.
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.
