Even though it is mid-summer, generally thought of as a "slow" period
for birding, almost any outing at Presqu'ile Provincial Park can yield a
few surprises, even in the middle of the night. Read on.
In addition to the waterfowl that have been "regulars" at Presqu'ile
this summer (Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Redheads, scaup), the past week
has also yielded two Hooded Mergansers and a Red-breasted Merganser, the
former in Popham Bay and the latter for the past four days off
Sebastopol Island. An American Bittern flew up from the Owen Point
trail (an unusual location), and a Least Bittern was seen just outside
the Park gate on July 21. Great Egrets continue to be seen almost every
day. The shorebird migration has not yet approached the numbers to be
expected in a few weeks, but the eight species recorded in the past week
are a taste of what is yet to come. New arrivals since last week's
report are Greater Yellowlegs (July 23), Solitary Sandpiper (July 20 and
21), and Sanderling (July 23). Two Bonaparte's Gulls have been present
on July 23 and 24, one of which has a fully black head.
At 2 a.m. on July 19, a Park warden saw a Great Horned Owl eating a
juvenile Ring-billed Gull beside one of the Park roads. Other Park
staff have been seeing gull carcasses in the early mornings on top of
signs and telephone poles.
The eastern end of the Presqu'ile peninsula has had a minor influx of
Orchard Orioles in the past few days, birds that have been present but
inconspicuous throughout the summer. The next song birds to appear will
likely be some of the early-returning warblers.
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. Birders who have not visited
Presqu'ile in the past few years may not be aware that the boardwalk
that provides access into the marsh has been closed and is unlikely to
be re-opened for another year or so. 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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