The complexion of the bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park changed
significantly with the passage of a recent cold front. Most of the
earlier migrants that linger into early October are gone, and those more
typical of late October are arriving.
The water in Popham Bay was exceptionally calm on October 14, allowing
one observer to spot 12 Common Loons and about 50 Horned Grebes far off
shore. Double-crested Cormorants are now present only in single-digit
numbers, and herons have virtually disappeared. Canada Geese are on the
beach in the hundreds, including three smaller individuals that could
easily have been mistaken for Cackling Geese had the observer not been
careful with his identification. Most of the dabbling ducks can be
found in the marsh opposite the bird sightings board, whereas diving
ducks of many species, now present in the hundreds, have gathered in the
offshore waters on all sides of the point. The calm conditions of
October 14 allowed two birders to estimate 500 White-winged Scoters in
the lake, birds that normally are too far out to be easily seen. A few
Black Scoters were with them on October 20. Three Hooded Mergansers
appeared in the marsh on that date.
A Bald Eagle sat in a tree on Salt Point on October 14. Other raptors
have been rather scarce, as is often the case at Presqu'ile, but a
Peregrine Falcon and two Merlins were seen at Gull Island within the
past three days. A Ruffed Grouse was flushed from very close to the
lighthouse. Only a handful of shorebirds remain, but an American
Golden-Plover was on Gull Island on October 18 and two White-rumped
Sandpipers on October 20 were also noteworthy. Two Little Gulls were in
Popham Bay on October 20. No one has yet reported a jaeger in the Park
this year, but the recent increase in the gull concentration may entice
one of these birds to appear.
From the description given, the owl seen in Jobes' Woods on October 15
could only have been a Barred Owl, another of which was seen on High
Bluff Island early last week. A new bird-watching technique practised
by two birders on that same night proved successful. By watching
television at 11:30 p.m. in their cottage at 191 Bayshore Road, they
created the light conditions that caused a Northern Saw-whet Owl to
crash into their window and fall to the ground, where it stayed long
enough to be photographed before flying off. At this time of year,
other owls such as Short-eared Owls also pass through the Park and
should be watched for.
A Northern Shrike was at the marsh boardwalk on October 19. Three birds
seen on October 20 were on the late side: a Blue-headed Vireo, a Gray
Catbird, and an Orange-crowned Warbler. A Northern Parula on October 14
was also rather late. Among the sparrows seen during the past week were
several American Tree Sparrows, a Vesper Sparrow on Gull Island on
October 16 and 18, and a Fox Sparrow. A Lapland Longspur and 13 Snow
Buntings, the first of the season, were on Gull Island on October 20.
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. Visitors to Gull Island should be
prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there is often a swift
current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It should also be noted
that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and
part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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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.
