At a time of year when other birding areas nearby yield only a limited
variety of species, Presqu'ile Provincial Park offers opportunities to
sample woodland birds, marsh birds, open country birds, and those
associated with beaches and open water. A day's birding visiting each
of those habitats can be quite profitable, even in the mid-summer hiatus
between spring and fall migration.
In addition to the regular MALLARDS and GADWALLS around the shores of
Popham Bay, this week there was an AMERICAN WIGEON on Gull Island on
June 23 and GREEN-WINGED TEALS on the beach (three on June 22 and six on
June 23). In the open water of that bay there was a SCAUP on June 23, a
female COMMON GOLDENEYE on June 22, and a female COMMON MERGANSER on
both days. COMMON LOONS were present in both Popham Bay and Presqu'ile
Bay, where they bred for the past two summers.
An OSPREY was at the calf pasture, and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was in the
lighthouse area. On June 22, four non-resident shorebirds were on the
beach: two SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and a
DUNLIN. Before long, one can expect a LEAST SANDPIPER or a LESSER
YELLOWLEGS to appear there. A BONAPARTE'S GULL was also there on two
of the last four days.
Surprisingly, two BLUE JAYS flew over the lighthouse as if in migration
on June 24 and another on June 25, both in the early morning when such
movements normally occur in season. A WOOD THRUSH has been singing
regularly behind 85 Bayshore Road. ORCHARD ORIOLES exhibiting various
plumages remain active and vocal in the general area of the lighthouse,
and frequently in the spruce tree at 186 Bayshore Road. A PURPLE FINCH,
not the first in recent weeks, was singing persistently in the High
Bluff campground on June 22.
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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