In an unusual reversal, there have been almost as many interesting bird
sightings recently just outside Presqu'ile Provincial Park as within the
Park itself, including one exceptional rarity.
The previously reported Trumpeter Swan that appears to be mated with a
Mute Swan was sitting on a nest on the north side of the causeway
leading into the Park this afternoon and can often be seen in that same
area. A Wood Duck was in the marsh and a flock of ten or so flew over
the beach. Four Gadwalls landed in Popham Bay. Green-winged Teals,
apparently absent from the Park since early May, have begun to re-appear
at Owen Point: one male on June 12 and three males on June 14.
Redheads and a scaup have also been in Popham Bay during the past week.
Four scaup, at least one of which was a Lesser Scaup, have been in
Presqu'ile Bay. Four very late Long-tailed Ducks were off the staff
house on June 9.
A Least Bittern was perched on the north side of the causeway leading
into the Park on June 12. Great Egrets are being seen sporadically. A
surprising find was made today (June 14) by two researchers paddling a
canoe in the "constructed wetland", a wastewater treatment facility,
also known as a polishing pond, at the south-east corner of Brighton
(corner of Harbour Street and Prince Edward Street). They discovered a
Glossy Ibis, which was later seen by several local birders. It was
foraging in and out of the cattails lining the shore of the more
southerly cell. Although access to that cell is normally restricted, at
least one observer was able to see the ibis from the road, and it may
also be visible from the viewing platform. The only previous records of
ibis in the Presqu'ile area are of birds that could not be definitively
identified as that species.
Nine species of shorebirds were still at Presqu'ile during the past
week, but the numbers have dropped from the same period a week earlier.
Semipalmated Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, and Semipalmated Sandpiper were
still present today, but other recent sightings have included Least
Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Dunlin. An American Woodcock was
seen with a chick on June 8.
Unless it was a Black-billed Cuckoo calling like a Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
one of the latter species was heard on June 11. The Barred Owls in
Jobes' Woods appear to have had another successful breeding season as
three individuals, at least one of which was a young bird, were seen on
June 9.
Five Purple Martin houses along Bayshore Road are occupied this summer,
including one at 38 Bayshore and the usual three at 192 Bayshore. The
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher nest on Paxton Drive is still being visited,
perhaps by adults feeding young. A Black-and-white Warbler was singing
near the Park store on June 8.
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.
