Because of unfavourable winds for the past week, the migration at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park can not be characterized as more than a
trickle. Yet, most of the expected arrivals have been reported at least
once, and the shift in wind direction to the south in the past few hours
bodes well for a break in the log jam that must surely be holding birds
back.
Three Wood Ducks flew out of the Owen Point marsh on April 14, the first
of that species in several weeks. Gadwalls and American Wigeons are
still in Presqu'ile Bay in small numbers. A lone Northern Pintail was
in Popham Bay on April 10. Red-throated Loons can usually be found in
Popham Bay with the aid of a scope, and nine were counted on April 13.
Several observers have heard an American Bittern in the marsh since
April 13. Great Egrets are already on their nests on High Bluff
Island. Three Black-crowned Night-Herons were on Sebastopol Island on
April 16.
An Osprey was seen on April 11, and a Cooper's Hawk on that day and the
next. On April 12 a Peregrine Falcon was dive-bombing something in the
water off the lighthouse while simultaneously fending off an attack by a
gull. On April 13 a Merlin was at the lighthouse. A Wild Turkey
crossed Bayshore Road and entered the woods on April 10. Both Wilson's
Snipe and American Woodcock were seen near the start of the Owen Point
trail access road. The first of several Bonaparte's Gulls were over
Presqu'ile Bay on April 10, and on the following day the first Caspian
Terns arrived. One of the resident Barred Owls in Jobes' Woods was
spotted on April 10.
Recent arrivals have included Belted Kingfisher, Barn Swallows,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrushes, Field Sparrow, and Swamp
Sparrow. The White-throated Sparrow that has been frequenting 83 and 85
Bayshore Road for several days may be the same individual that was at
nearby feeders early in the winter, and the Eastern Towhee at 83
Bayshore Road may be the same one that was there late in March. Several
feeders along Bayshore Road are still being patronized by up to a dozen
Pine Siskins. Within the next week, we can expect other species of
swallows, Brown Thrashers, the first of the warblers, and Chipping Sparrows.
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. 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].
--
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
