In anticipation of an influx of fall migrants, birders from farther
afield have been trickling in to Presqu'ile Provincial Park. To a
certain extent, they have been successful, for a few new arrivals have
augmented the mix of summer birds in the Park.
There has been a good variety of waterfowl along the north shore of Gull
Island, including half a dozen Green-winged Teal among the usual other
ducks, and a lone American Coot on August 5. Some Common Mergansers
were on the other shore of the island. An immature Bald Eagle was
spotted at the calf pasture and subsequently flying over Presqu'ile
Bay. Among the shorebirds near beach 3 there have been both Greater
Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as small numbers of smaller
shorebirds.
On August 5, a Black-billed Cuckoo showed up on the property of a birder
on Bayshore Road, and the following morning one was calling near the
group campground and two others were interacting with each other at the
High Bluff campground. One day later, a fifth bird was calling at the
calf pasture. Most of the warblers moving around the Park are Yellow
Warblers, but a Black-and-white Warbler was near the lighthouse on
August 7. A White-throated Sparrow spent two days at a feeder on
Bayshore Road. On August 7, a small flock of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
appeared near the lighthouse, where they have not been all summer.
Although Eastern Meadowlarks are seen from time to time throughout the
summer at the calf pasture, it came as a surprise to see one perched in
a treetop and then flying off far to the south and well beyond the
semi-open cleared area of the former farm. No one has yet reported a
crossbill at Presqu'ile this season, but a smattering of reports from
other parts of southern Ontario and the presence of plenty of suitable
habitat suggest that birders should be on the lookout for these nomadic
birds in the Park in the next few weeks.
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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