There are those who have suggested giving Presqu'ile Provincial Park a
new name: Plover Provincial Park, with the discovery in the past week
of two rare species of plover that bring the total of plover species
recorded in the Park to an astounding eight. Apart from those
highlights and other shorebirds, bird migration has begun to slow down.
Up to five Common Loons have been seen offshore almost every day this
week. A Least Bittern sitting in the flooded patch of tall grass beside
the park store washrooms was being harassed by Red-winged Blackbirds on
May 27. A Green Heron landed in a treetop beside the lighthouse on May
30. An immature Trumpeter Swan was in Popham Bay on May 31. Gadwalls,
Mallards, and Redheads are always present off Gull Island, and there
have also been a few American Wigeons and a Northern Pintail on May 27.
In the open water off the day use area, three scaup, likely Greater
Scaup, and a Long-tailed Duck were seen on May 28. On the previous day,
eleven White-winged Scoters were there. The previously reported Surf
Scoter and Common Goldeneye were still in Popham Bay on May 28 and 26,
respectively, and a Common Merganser was there on May 31. An Osprey
flew over the peninsula on May 28. A Virginia Rail was heard in the
marsh near Owen Point and a Common Moorhen was in the large marsh.
Shorebirds have been arriving steadily and in increasing numbers during
the past week, including the aforementioned rarities. To date, the
maximum number of Black-bellied Plovers on any one day has been four,
but more can be expected soon. For two consecutive days, May 26 and 27,
a Wilson's Plover was on the natural beach north of Owen Point, the
first ever at Presqu'ile and one of very few of that southern coastal
species ever found in Ontario. Birders came from afar to see it, only
to return two days later when a Piping Plover that had been banded in
Michigan last year appeared in the same location and also remained for
two days (May 29 and 30). Since then, Park staff and local birders are
monitoring the area, both to determine whether the bird, an endangered
species, might find a mate and stay to breed and to deter people from
approaching too close to the bird if it does return. This is the second
consecutive year, and the third year in the past six, that a Piping
Plover has frequented Presqu'ile's beaches. Other noteworthy shorebirds
have included a Whimbrel on May 26 and two on June 1, an estimated 80
Ruddy Turnstones and 40 Red Knots on June 1 (the latter having
disappeared by noon), the first two Sanderlings on May 31 and over a
dozen on the following day, small numbers of White-rumped Sandpipers,
and a male Wilson's Phalarope at Owen Point on June 1, the first
phalarope of any species at Presqu'ile in over a year.
May 26 was a good day at Owen Point. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was
there late in the day, the second of that species within a week, but a
different bird, judging from its plumage. For about half an hour in the
morning an Arctic Tern gave one lone observer excellent views, often in
the company of the similar Common Terns that sometimes shared a spotting
scope view with it. That is the second consecutive year in which that
rare species has appeared there. Shortly after it disappeared, a
Forster's Tern landed in precisely the same spot. That one has stayed
until at least May 31.
Both Black-billed Cuckoos and Yellow-billed Cuckoos have been observed
here and there in the Park during the past week. A Common Nighthawk was
observed roosting at the calf pasture on May 28 and three more flew over
the peninsula on a subsequent evening. The appearance of a
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at 83 Bayshore Road on May 29 raises suspicions
that they may be breeding in the Park.
Tyrant flycatchers, nine species in total, have been ubiquitous at
Presqu'ile in the past week. There were several sightings of
Olive-sided Flycatchers and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, among others.
Yellow-throated Vireos were seen on May 26 and 29. Philadelphia Vireos
were also passing through. All six of the regular swallow species
appeared in the Park this week. The Blue Jay migration and the Cedar
Waxwing migration are still in progress, albeit at a reduced scale. A
late Ruby-crowned Kinglet was still present on May 27 and a Blue-Gray
Gnatcatcher was seen two days later. Both Gray-cheeked Thrush and
Swainson's Thrush have been seen this week. A convincing report of a
Northern Mockingbird not far from the lighthouse on May 28 was followed
by the sighting of two birds at the entrance to the "fingers" two days
later.
Warblers were still plentiful on May 29 but much more difficult to find
since then. Blue-winged Warblers, generally thought of as one of the
earlier migrants, were seen on May 28 and 29. A singing Cerulean
Warbler on May 29 was another surprise, as was a late Palm Warbler on
May 26, perhaps the latest on record here. A Lincoln's Sparrow and a
White-crowned Sparrow, both on May 28, were lingering exceptionally
late. Two Pine Siskins near the lighthouse on May 27 and an Evening
Grosbeak there on May 26 were also late.
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]
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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.
