Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been flooded with newly arrived migrant
birds this week. For the first time in weeks, land birds seem to
outnumber ducks, though the comparison is admittedly difficult to make.
Sightings of Red-throated Loons in Popham Bay are very much dependent on
the degree of wave activity and other impediments to visibility, as the
birds are usually far offshore. The only day this week when the species
was seen there was April 5, when six birds were spotted with the aid of
a scope. Three Red-necked Grebes were found on that same day, one in
Presqu'ile Bay and two off the lighthouse. The first Great Egret of the
season was at the calf pasture on April 1. Soon the Black-crowned
Night-Herons that nest on Sebastopol Island will be returning.
The last sighting of the Eurasian Wigeon that was present off Bayshore
Road throughout last week was on April 1, but on the weekend it or
another of that species was seen on the north side of Presqu'ile Bay. A
pair of Northern Shovelers was at Owen Point on April 6. A handful of
White-winged Scoters can usually be seen off Salt Point.
Ospreys were seen in the Park on April 5 and 6, and an immature Bald
Eagle was seen on April 6. A Cooper's Hawk and a Merlin were seen on
April 6 and 5, respectively. A lone Wild Turkey that has made High
Bluff Island its home for the past year or two is demonstrating the
effects of isolation by keeping close company with a pair of Canada Geese.
On April 6, two Bonaparte's Gulls flew past Owen Point, where an Iceland
Gull had been seen on April 1 and a Glaucous Gull was seen on April 5.
The first four Caspian Terns of the year were lounging on Gull Island on
April 6.
The first Barn Swallow of the season was seen on April 2. Rough-winged
Swallows will likely be the next to return. An early Ruby-crowned
Kinglet was among the swarms of Golden-crowned Kinglets at the
lighthouse on April 6. Eastern Bluebirds were at the lighthouse on
April 5 (1) and 6 (3). A Hermit Thrush was in the campground on the
latter date. A Vesper Sparrow, never a common bird at Presqu'ile, was
seen on Bayshore Road on April 6. Fox Sparrows have also been present
in small numbers. A Common Redpoll returned on April 3 and 4 to the
feeder at 186 Bayshore Road.
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.
