Except for a "last hurrah" of migrating shorebirds on June 14, bird life
at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has settled into its static summer mode.
Only the occasional sighting of a bird that forgot to migrate north
livens birding up these days.
REDHEADS have been a fixture on the north shore of Gull Island for
several recent summers, and this year is no exception. On the other
hand, a male RING-NECKED DUCK near the causeway just outside the Park
gate on June 15 represents an exceptionally late date. On two mornings
this week, an AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed from the Owen Point trail,
where one of that species exhibited similar odd behaviour through much
of last July and August, probably feeding on the abundant leopard
frogs. GREAT EGRETS and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS continue to be a
standard attraction for Presqu'ile birders. An OSPREY flew over the
Nature Centre and a WILD TURKEY wandered through the property at 58
Bayshore Road. Hearing a RUFFED GROUSE drumming as late as June 15 was
unusual.
From now on, even though the solstice is not yet upon us, any sighting
of a non-resident shorebird will raise the question of whether it is a
lingering northbound migrant or an early southbound one. It is safe to
assume, however, that most of those which were on the beach from June 12
- 14 were still en route to their breeding grounds. Among those still
present on June 14 were a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, a RUDDY TURNSTONE (at
Owen Point), nine SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, five WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS, and a DUNLIN, none of which have been reported
subsequently. A BONAPARTE'S GULL was also on the beach on that day.
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS have been calling in three different parts of the
Park this week. One observer found three BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS in
Newcastle woods, a species that normally breeds to the north of here but
is regular in summer at Presqu'ile. The same observer found a PRAIRIE
WARBLER in the Park on June 20 a few years ago, evidence of the
surprises that can show up even between migration seasons. The ORCHARD
ORIOLES whose nest is behind the Lighthouse Visitor Centre appear to
have hatched their young. It remains a mystery whether the two PINE
SISKINS that have continued to visit the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road as
recently as June 16 are nesting somewhere nearby.
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] <mailto:[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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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
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