Although the shorebird migration for which Presqu'ile Provincial Park is
noted does not get into full swing until August, the vanguard of those
birds has already been the centre of attention. Other birds are a bit
slower in beginning their fall migration but are beginning to trickle in.
An unidentified scaup, the first in almost a month, was sitting on the
shore of Gull Island two days ago. On the following day a female Hooded
Merganser, the first of the fall, flew in near Owen Point. The family
of Common Loons in Presqu'ile Bay reported last week seems to be
thriving. Among the sightings of Great Egrets was one of a bird soaring
high into the sky like a vulture. A Green Heron flew across the
causeway leading into the Park. An Osprey seems to be spending a
considerable amount of its time at the calf pasture. The Northern
Harriers sighted on two consecutive days may be from the pair that
apparently nested in the marsh, but an adult female Sharp-shinned Hawk
perched in a tree near the lighthouse after a day of strong northerly
winds (July 20) was probably an early migrant. A Wild Turkey with three
young was seen near the north end of the Park on July 20.
There are not yet large numbers of shorebirds on the beach at
Presqu'ile, but the variety has been good and the viewing stations near
Owen Point have recently been upgraded, making the birds more easily
visible. Three Semipalmated Plovers arrived on July 24 and four have
been there on each of the past two days. On July 25, there were three
Greater Yellowlegs and five Lesser Yellowlegs. Four of the latter flew
in with the season's first Stilt Sandpiper (in full breeding plumage),
but they stayed only briefly before flying off again. The five
Sanderlings reported last week were still present on July 20, but since
then only one has been seen. The maximum counts of Semipalmated
Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers in the past week have been ten and
eight, respectively. One of the former had coloured leg bands whose
origin is under investigation. A lone Baird's Sandpiper, the first of
the season, was on the beach on July 24 and a Pectoral Sandpiper was
there on the next day. Of the rare but regular shorebirds that visit
Presqu'ile annually, perhaps Buff-breasted Sandpipers may be the next to
appear. Birders looking for shorebirds at Owen Point cannot fail to
notice the Caspian Terns and be impressed by their numbers: well over
100 every day.
Both Great Crested Flycatcher and Eastern Kingbird have been observed
feeding their young. A few small songbirds have been stopping at the
lighthouse lately, at least some of them obviously in migration. They
include a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, a Nashville Warbler, and a Northern
Waterthrush, all on July 21 after the passage of a cool front. On July
24, two Pine Warblers were at the entrance to the beach 3 road. A Field
Sparrow at 186 Bayshore Road on July 25 was unexpected, as was an
Eastern Meadowlark in the day use area on July 21. There have been
Orchard Oriole sightings on several days, both at the lighthouse and
elsewhere. A male Purple Finch again visited the feeder at 191 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]
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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.
