As autumn asserts itself, Presqu'ile continues to provide good birding for the persistent and the patient. October 2 provided a major surprise for the aforementioned.
Though not often graced with the appearance of Cackling Geese, the Park has had from two to three birds on the beach from the 27th onwards. Inexplicably, ducks numbers have plummeted in the last week. Three Ruffed Grouse were spotted by one observer in various locations on October 2. Common Loons are usually seeable in Popham Bay as are Horned Grebes and, to a lesser degree, Red-necked Grebes. On October 2, 21 Turkey Vultures (a good number for Presqu'ile) were seen tacking into brisk northwest winds above Owen Point. Late Ospreys were seen from Gull Island on September 26 and near the Woodpile Marsh on October 1. A Northern Harrier has regularly patrolled between Owen Point and Gull Island during most days of the week and an immature Northern Goshawk briefly visited the lawn of a residence near the Lighthouse on September 29. Merlins continue to be regular in the Owen Point-Gull Island corridor and Peregrines were seen in the same area on September 29 and October 2. Shorebirding continues to be productive with 10-12 species seeable on most days, particularly when access to Gull Island is allowed. Black-bellied, American Golden and Semipalmated Plovers have been around in good numbers all week. A Solitary Sandpiper, heard as it flew over Gull Island on September 28, was quite late. Sanderlings are found in most flocks and birds foraging about Gull Island (particularly in the pond) still feature a handful of Semipalmated Sandpipers and a couple of Least Sandpipers. The first juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper was reported on Gull Island on September 28 and on the 30th both molting adults and juveniles could be found foraging together on the island. Single Baird's Sandpipers were reported on Gull Island on September 26 and October 2. Pectoral Sandpipers can usually be found about the Gull Island pond and also among low vegetation on the other end of the island. Dunlin numbers continue to rise, reaching about 40 by week's end. Presqu'ile larophiles continue to wait for the "big one" or perhaps even the "medium one". Stay tuned on this item. Great Horned Owls have been heard in the campgrounds on recent nights and a Barred Owl was encountered on September 28 near the Park's day use area. Migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls should be appearing in the Park in the near future. A late Ruby-throated Hummingbird was seen at a Bayshore residence on September 28 and vocal Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Northern Flickers are still being encountered regularly. Eastern Wood-Pewees and Eastern Phoebes are also still part of most songbird flocks and, on the 28th, a singing Blue-headed Vireo near the Owen Point trailhead provided a treat. September 28 also featured hundreds of migrating Blue Jays leaving and then returning from Owen Point. The same day saw a Common Raven fly from Owen Point towards High Bluff Island. Both Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets have arrived in the Park in good numbers. October 2 featured an influx of Swainson's and Hermit Thrushes. A quick-eyed observer watching the thrushes forage on the edges of Paxton Drive noticed that one of the birds was a female Varied Thrush, probably the first record for Presqu'ile. Another equally quick-eyed observer relocated the Varied Thrush off Paxton (near the large rocks mentioned in the thrush's original posting) close to sunset. September 26 offered a songbird fallout which yielded a seasonally impressive 17 species. Good numbers and varieties of warblers continued to pop up at various places throughout the week. A rare "yellow" Palm Warbler was seen near the access to Beach 4 (Owen Point Trail) on October 1. Sparrows have finally arrived en masse. October 1 produced an Eastern Towhee by the Beach 3 parking area and Field Sparrows opposite 34 Bayshore. Savannah and Swamp Sparrows are regular on Gull Island and a Lincoln's Sparrow was also seen there on September 26. White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows are present in most suitable habitats and Dark-eyed Juncos were first reported on September 27. A late, wet and bedraggled-looking Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at the Calf Pasture on October 2 and the same location produced an Eastern Meadowlark on September 29. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations mentioned in this report are indicated in a tabloid available at the Park gates. Because of the Presqu'ile duck hunt, access to Gull Island is limited to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Wading from the Owen Point gravel bar to Gull Island has become more challenging on windy days. For Fred Helleiner, Don Shanahan Brighton 613 475 3502. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
