Now that the public is permitted access to Gull Island (which, at least
for now, is accessible without the need for wading - /i.e./, it is
once again a peninsula rather than an island), most of the birding
activity at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has focused on that area, and
there have been interesting findings.
Canada Geese along the beach number in the hundreds, and more V's have
been seen arriving. A lone Brant has been with them on the beach this
week. At least as recently as September 9, a Trumpeter Swan was in
Popham Bay. The challenge of identifying dabbling ducks in their fall
plumage can be addressed for another week or so along the shores of
Popham Bay, where nine species, including a few Northern Shovelers and
Northern Pintails, have been congregating. A few diving ducks,
including a flock of Redheads and a flock of scaup, are farther out in
the bay. Two Hooded Mergansers have been near Gull Island and a flock
of 18 Common Mergansers flew in on September 12. After September 22,
the opening day of the infamous Presqu'ile waterfowl hunt, ducks will be
few and far between. A Horned Grebe was off Owen Point on September 10.
Although Presqu'ile is not noted for its hawk migration, a few
interesting sightings were made this week: several Turkey Vultures; an
Osprey; a Bald Eagle that sat all one morning on a treetop on High Bluff
Island and was seen again today; five Broad-winged Hawks near the
lighthouse early on the morning of September 12, a rare sighting at
Presqu'ile; Merlins here and there every day this week; a Peregrine
Falcon on September 13.
Two Common Moorhens were in the marsh on September 11. Among the
fifteen shorebird species, frequenting mostly the beach and the shores
of Gull "Island", were one or two American Golden-Plovers on at least
three days. A Greater Yellowlegs made a brief stop on September 7.
Four Whimbrels were on Gull Island today. Ruddy Turnstones have been
seen on four days in the past week. At least seven White-rumped
Sandpipers were in one mixed shorebird flock today, and similar numbers
of Baird's Sandpipers have been seen on most days. There are now more
Pectoral Sandpipers than at any previous time this fall. Three
Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on the south side of Gull Island when it
was opened to the public on September 11, but only one remained today.
They may well have been present but undetected before that. A
Red-necked Phalarope was on the island on September 12 and was
re-located on the beach the next morning. The remaining Caspian Terns
are in the single digits.
Two Common Nighthawks flew over on September 9. Among the six species
of woodpeckers that were at 83 Bayshore Road today were a Red-bellied
Woodpecker and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, both of which were there on
at least two previous days this week. A Great Crested Flycatcher near
the lighthouse on September 10 was fairly late. In addition to the
Carolina Wren that has become a fixture near the lighthouse since late
August, a second bird of that species was seen near Owen Point on
September 11. Small numbers of American Pipits have begun to arrive in
the Owen Point/Gull Island area. Tennessee Warblers on September 9 and
13, an Orange-crowned Warbler on September 13, several Northern Parulas,
and a Cape May Warbler on September 9 were the more interesting
observations in the warbler flocks that have been passing through the
Park. White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncoes have been arriving
for the past several days. Other sparrows will almost certainly reach
Presqu'ile within the next week, perhaps including Nelson's Sharp-tailed
Sparrows. An Indigo Bunting on September 9 had large patches of blue on
an otherwise brown bird. A Pine Siskin among the American Goldfinches
at 186 Bayshore Road on September 10 alerts birders to be on the lookout
for more of these finches.
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.
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.
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