The past week has been a lively one at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, with
the arrival of numerous southbound bird migrants. Among them have been
some that are less common, providing moments of excitement for birders,
who have also begun returning to the Park in numbers.
Since the vegetation in the marsh is high enough to obscure the view of
almost any bird lurking there, the best opportunity for seeing birds
like Great Egrets is to wait for them to fly over Owen Point or the
beach. Along the shore of Gull Island there are more teal than there
have been all summer, both Blue-winged Teal and Green-winged Teal. The
most recent sighting of a Northern Pintail there was on August 12.
Sharp-shinned Hawks have appeared in two locations. More raptors will
soon be arriving.
Shorebird numbers have built up to close to 100, with twelve species
represented, if one includes an American Woodcock found near a
campground. A Black-bellied Plover has been seen on almost every trip
to the "natural" beach north of Owen Point. Single Baird's Sandpipers
are also being seen regularly, and five were there on August 17. The
most recent arrivals were a Pectoral Sandpiper on August 16, followed by
two on the next day, and two Stilt Sandpipers on August 17. Perhaps a
Red-necked Phalarope will be next.
A few Bonaparte's Gulls are usually on the beach, and two Great
Black-backed Gulls earlier in the week were the first in almost a
month. An immature Black Tern was sighted at the beach while this
report was being written on August 17 and was reported to me by cell
phone. It was the first of that species, which has recently become rare
at Presqu'ile, this fall.
Both Black-billed Cuckoo and Yellow-billed Cuckoo were seen in the Park
during the past week, with apparently two of the latter at Owen Point on
August 12. The migration of Common Nighthawks which can be observed at
the beach on late August evenings has not yet been reported. Chimney
Swifts were flying past the lighthouse on two mornings this week. There
was a Philadelphia Vireo at Owen Point on August 16, one day earlier
than the previous early date reported in /Birds of Presqu'ile Provincial
Park/ (1993). A Brown Creeper was at the lighthouse on August 13, when
a significant influx of fall migrants took place. A Carolina Wren south
of the Park store on August 17 was the first in the Park since late
April. There were sightings of Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers in three
different locations in the past three days.
Sixteen species of warblers have been seen at Presqu'ile since Sunday,
when one observer found eight species within the first half-hour of
looking around the lighthouse. Tennessee Warbler, Cape May Warbler,
Bay-breasted Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and two Canada Warblers were the
highlights. A Scarlet Tanager and numerous Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have
also been present.
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.
