Not a day goes by at this time of year in Presqu'ile Provincial Park
without new arrivals in the bird world. Many of them are more colourful
than those which arrived earlier, such as grackles and cowbirds, the
bane of those who are feeding birds. Those colourful birds are the ones
that bring out the fair-weather birders, but, as usual, there are enough
uncommon birds among them to satisfy the hard-core birders as well.
Not all of the Red-throated Loons have left Popham Bay, and the few that
remain are in breeding plumage and somewhat more difficult to spot
without the gleaming white front of their basic winter plumage. A Least
Bittern was calling in the marsh on May 3. Great Egrets fly to and fro
between High Bluff Island, where they nest, and the mainland, where they
feed in the marsh.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and Northern Goshawk were all seen
this week and may well be nesting somewhere in the Park. Merlins were
seen on three days this week and a Peregrine Falcon perched on High
Bluff Island was identified through a scope. Two Virginia Rails were
found on May 5. Shorebirds have begun to trickle in to Presqu'ile, with
eight species recorded this month. An early Short-billed Dowitcher on
the beach and an American Woodcock photographed at the lighthouse, both
on May 7, were of interest, as was a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the
beach on May 3. Since Black Terns nested in the marsh last year (for
the first time in many years), they should be watched for in the coming
week.
A Black-billed Cuckoo, identified by a single call on May 2 at the calf
pasture, would be a record early date if it could have been confirmed.
Single Barred Owls were found in two different parts of the Park.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are appearing in three different parts of the
Park, but most frequently near the lighthouse and along Newcastle
trail. Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen twice this week. Again this
week, two Common Ravens were flying about calling one morning.
Three Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers were seen on May 5. Among the 24 species
of warblers found in the past week, there were a few that border on
rarity. Several Blue-winged Warblers and a single Golden-winged Warbler
have been seen in the past few days. Early Tennessee Warblers and a
record early Orange-crowned Warbler on May 6 were also of interest.
Within the seasonal norms were Northern Parulas, Cape May Warblers, and
Cerulean Warblers, among others. The two red-letter days for warblers
were May 3 and 4, when a Hooded Warbler and a Louisiana Waterthrush were
found on those days respectively.
A few Scarlet Tanagers have arrived, and more are expected soon. There
is always the possibility of a Summer Tanager, a species that has not
been seen here for over four years. A very late American Tree Sparrow
was found on May 7, and a rather early Clay-colored Sparrow was at the
calf pasture two days earlier. A Vesper Sparrow was also at the calf
pasture on May 4. The first Lincoln's Sparrows arrived on May 8. A
rather late Dark-eyed Junco was still around on May 5. A few Rusty
Blackbirds and Orchard Orioles have been present in recent days. Two
Pine Siskins at 83 Bayshore Road late last week were the only two of
that species recorded at Presqu'ile this year.
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,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
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