Although bird migration is still somewhat later than usual for this date
at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, the surge of arrivals during the past
week has made for excellent birding. Over forty new species were found
in the Park during the past week. These were identified by a mere
handful of birders compared to the hordes that comb every square inch of
Point Pelee. One birder's comment on Tuesday was, "This is the day we've
been waiting for."
The most recent sightings of Red-throated Loons in Popham Bay were on
May 9, when excellent viewing conditions prevailed. Now that the marsh
boardwalk has been decommissioned, the prospects for finding a Least
Bittern will be significantly reduced, but American Bitterns and
sometimes Great Egrets can still be seen from the platform at the start
of the boardwalk. A Green Heron flew over Paxton Drive on May 8.
The first flock of Brant of the season, numbering 48 birds, was on the
gravel bar off Owen Point on May 10. Flocks of that species are likely
to be passing Presqu'ile during the next week or two. A lone American
Wigeon and three Surf Scoters were far out in Lake Ontario on May 9. On
May 7, a female Black Scoter was in Presqu'ile Bay near the lighthouse.
Two Common Goldeneyes in Popham Bay on May 9 were rather late.
On two different days, an Osprey was seen flying over, and a Merlin did
a fly-past on May 8. There is still no report of a Yellow Rail.
Shorebirds are starting to appear along the beach, where there is an
algae accumulation, and on the gravel bars off Owen Point. Six species
appeared this week, including Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover,
Least Sandpiper, and Dunlin. Within a kilometre or two of the Park at
the created wetland south-east of Brighton, two additional species were
present on May 12: Lesser Yellowlegs and Solitary Sandpiper.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been present since May 7. One observer
was able to find seven species of woodpecker on one day. (He tried, but
could not find an Ivory-billed to make it eight.) Two of them,
Red-headed Woodpecker and Red-bellied Woodpecker, remained in the
lighthouse area for at least two days, including a pair of the latter
species. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on May 10 was unusually late.
Four species of flycatcher were among the new arrivals: Eastern
Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Eastern
Kingbird. Blue-headed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, and Red-eyed Vireo are all
present and should soon be joined by the first Philadelphia Vireo.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are almost a daily sighting now.
Twenty-one species of warblers have appeared at Presqu'ile during the
week. The highlights were several Golden-winged Warblers, an early
Tennessee Warbler on May 7, a Prairie Warbler on May 10, a Bay-breasted
Warbler on May 12, and a Canada Warbler on May 9. Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles were ubiquitous on May 10 and are still
present in good numbers. Thirteen of the former species were counted at
one time on the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road. On the same day and on
subsequent days, there were smaller numbers of Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo
Buntings, and Orchard Orioles. Altogether it has been a very colourful
week. The latest Dark-eyed Junco sighting was on May 8. Up to six Pine
Siskins have been visiting the feeder at 85 Bayshore Road, most recently
on May 9. A male Evening Grosbeak surprised everyone by spending a full
day, May 8, at the feeders 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.
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From: "Mark Conlon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ontbirds" <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 22:09:14 -0400
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - Warblers
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Although quite cool today at Rondeau, the birding was very good.
It began a little slow but it warmed up by around 2pm and I had 15 species
of warblers today. All of which could be easily found.
The best was the wonderful Prothonatory in and around post 9 of the Tulip
Tree Trail. He was in an area which was "thick" with warblers between 3 and
4 pm. At times the groups of warblers at this one spot had you seeing 8 - 10
species in close proximity to each other while I waited for glimpses of the
Prothonatory. Other notables were Northern Waterthrush, Northern Parula and
a Blackpoll.
Others viewing with me, that had birded Rondeau in the spring said this to
be as good as it gets. I found it to a great day. For those venturing there
soon, the section of Tulip Tree Trail at the rear, posts 7 to 9 was very
productive.
Take care,
Mark Conlon
Lasalle, ON ( on loan to London at the moment )
