Birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has become somewhat more
interesting during the past week than it has been throughout the summer,
as fall migrants of several species are making their appearance.
On August 9, a Least Bittern was seen flying out of the marsh and across
the causeway leading to the Park. Great Egrets can be seen almost every
day.
Among the ducks, Wood Ducks are being seen regularly in the marsh, an
American Black Duck spent most of the afternoon of August 10 swimming
near the lighthouse, six Green-winged Teal flew past Gull Island on
August 11, and Common Mergansers were at Gull Island on August 11 (two
females and a moulting male) and August 12 (one female).
An immature Bald Eagle was flying over Presqu'ile Bay on August 8, the
first of that species since late winter or early spring. An Osprey was
also seen there on August 6. A probable Sharp-shinned Hawk, also the
first of the season, was seen at the beach on August 7. More of them
should be moving past the lighthouse in the coming weeks.
Although the shorebird habitat is more limited than it has been in
mid-August in recent years, the numbers are building up every day, with
ten species reported this week. The first Black-bellied Plover of the
fall appeared on August 12, along with about a dozen Semipalmated
Plovers. The first Ruddy Turnstones (2) arrived on August 11, and the
first Baird's Sandpiper on August 12. Also on August 12, an American
Woodcock was seen along the roadside near the marsh boardwalk entrance.
Most of the Purple Martins that occupied the nest boxes near the
lighthouse have disappeared within the past few days, about a week
earlier than last year.
Last weekend saw the first wave of passerine and other birds arrive at
the lighthouse. Two Chimney Swifts were there on August 7, and an
Empidonax flycatcher, thought to be a Willow Flycatcher, was there on
August 7 and 10. Nine species of warblers have been seen in that
general vicinity since the weekend, and some are appearing elsewhere in
the Park. Among others, there have been a Golden-winged Warbler, a
Chestnut-sided Warbler (both on August 7), several Black-and-white
Warblers, an Ovenbird on August 12, a Northern Waterthrush on August 7
and 8, a Mourning Warbler on August 7 and 9, and a Canada Warbler on
August 7.
A juvenile Eastern Towhee was found on August 12, about 200 metres from
the location where that species has been suspected of nesting in recent
years. A small group of White-throated Sparrows, perhaps a family
group, was at the lighthouse on August 7.
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.
