Up to last week, shorebirds were the only fall migrants to have reached
Presqu'ile Provincial Park, but some of the observations since then
suggest that that is no longer the case.
Two American Black Ducks at Gull Island on July 31 are the first of that
species to have been noticed there since the spring. A possible
Northern Pintail was seen there (at some distance) on July 24. Again
this week, an American Bittern was flushed at least once and perhaps
twice from the Owen Point trail, perhaps having discovered the swarms of
frogs there. An immature Bald Eagle was harassing an Osprey at the calf
pasture on July 25. A Sharp-shinned Hawk, clearly in migration mode,
flew over Owen :Point on July 28. The only new shorebird species to
have arrived in the past week was a pair of Baird's Sandpipers on July
28. High water levels have limited the shorebird habitat along the
beach but the frequent rains have kept the ephemeral pools that are
inland from the water's edge supplied with enough water to entice
shorebirds away from the immediate beach. Two Bonaparte's Gulls flew
past Owen Point on July 30, and a Great Black-backed Gull was there on
July 31. The count of roosting Caspian Terns at Owen Point is over 100.
A Black-billed Cuckoo was on the Owen Point trail on July 25. Whether
the warblers that moved through on July 29 had come from points north or
from elsewhere in the Park is impossible to tell. They included species
such as Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, and Ovenbird, all of
which likely nest at Presqu'ile but apparently not in the area where
they were seen. Chestnut-sided Warblers may be the next to return.
Both Orchard Orioles and Baltimore Orioles have been visiting various
feeders along 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. 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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