This has been an exciting week for birders at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park, not because of any exceptionally rare birds but because of the
volume of migrants passing through over the past three days, especially
on Tuesday and Wednesday.
One observer saw three species of geese on October 28: the ubiquitous
Canada Geese, one flock of which was accompanied by a Snow Goose, and
two flocks of Brant far out in the lake. Two Brant were also on the
beach on the following day. A Tundra Swan, the first of the season, was
in Presqu'ile Bay on October 30. Until the marsh developed a skim of
ice last night, the variety of dabbling ducks there was impressive,
including four Gadwalls, a Northern Shoveler, and a number of Northern
Pintails, some of which were still present at the edge of the ice
today. The first Canvasback of the season was off Salt Point on October
29, along with all three species of Scoters. There were also two Black
Scoters in Popham Bay on October 26. Hundreds of Common Loons are
scattered along the south shore of the peninsula, and single
Red-throated Loons were spotted there on October 28 and 30. A
Red-necked Grebe has been off Salt Point on four of the last eight days.
A Bald Eagle was at the calf pasture on October 28 and 29, and another
was flying over. There was a steady stream of migrating Red-tailed
Hawks and a few Rough-legged Hawks on October 28 and 29. A Merlin did a
fly-past in front of several birders on Gull Island on October 26. Two
Wild Turkeys seen near the park entrance may be the same birds that were
seen in that area on a couple of other recent occasions. Shorebirds are
still easy to find along the beach and around Owen Point. Species seen
this week were Black-bellied Plovers, a single American Golden-Plover on
October 26, Semipalmated Plovers, eight Greater Yellowlegs on October
28, Sanderlings, White-rumped Sandpipers (up to a dozen), many Dunlins,
and the much-sought-after Purple Sandpipers. Until now, only two of the
latter have appeared. They were on Sebastopol Island on October 26 but
have not been seen since. No doubt others will soon be arriving, as
November is the peak month for that species. An Iceland Gull was on the
beach on October 24, so Glaucous Gulls can not be far behind. Between
the beach, Owen Point, Gull Island, and High Bluff Island, Snowy Owls
have been very much in evidence all week. One observer saw at least
three (perhaps four) widely separated birds on October 30.
Two or more Blue-headed Vireos were at the lighthouse on October 26.
One wonders why the Boreal Chickadees, reported as numerous in northern
Ontario and Quebec earlier in the fall, have not yet appeared at
Presqu'ile. November is not too late for them to be migrating through
these parts. Several flocks of Eastern Bluebirds have been in the Park
this week, most recently at the calf pasture. In the space of ten
minutes, one observer found five Hermit Thrushes along the paved trail
near the nature centre on October 29. American Pipits and Yellow-rumped
Warblers are still present in small numbers. A White-crowned Sparrow
was on Gull Island on October 30. At least one flock of Lapland
Longspurs flew over on October 28. Scores of Snow Buntings are feeding
all along the beach and out to Gull Island. Surprisingly, there has
been no report of a Rusty Blackbird in the Park this fall. The influx
of birds this week included a few Purple Finches, three flocks of
White-winged Crossbills, and many Pine Siskins. Perhaps Common Redpolls
will be next.
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. Visitors to Gull Island should be
prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there is often a swift
current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It should also be noted
that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and
part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days.
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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