Every passing cold front brings more evidence that the fall bird
migration is under way at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. It is impossible
to determine the origins of the birds that are showing up where they
have been absent all summer, but some are undoubtedly returning from
points north. The bird sightings board in the Park has entries
concerning rare or uncommon birds that can not be included in the data
base kept by the Park without documentation. If the observers read
this, please submit details to the Park.
Among the ducks that roost on the shore of Gull Island there have been
AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, BLUE-WINGED TEALS, and GREEN-WINGED TEALS this
week, all of which have been scarce or absent through most of the
summer. A few GADWALLS and REDHEADS are still present. One COMMON
MERGANSER has been at Owen Point twice in the past week. GREAT EGRETS
and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS have each outnumbered GREAT BLUE HERONS
in the Park for the past two weeks. The five species of hawks seen at
Presqu'ile this week are likely more than just a breeding population.
COOPER'S HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, and MERLIN have all re-appeared this week.
Ten species of shorebirds were in the Park this week, including a
fly-over BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, a dozen SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, a RUDDY
TURNSTONE, and the first BAIRD'S SANDPIPER of the year (on beach 3 on
August 6). An undocumented report of a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER is not
included in that total because of the early date. A GREAT HORNED OWL was
seen near the group campground, and a BARRED OWL has called periodically
in Newcastle woods.
Visits to the beach and/or the calf pasture at dusk in the next week or
two should produce the first migrating COMMON NIGHTHAWKS of the season.
A similar rash prediction last week proved prophetic, when the first
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER of the fall migration appeared a day later, on
July 31, fully three weeks earlier than the previous earliest fall
arrival date. If it could be documented, the report of a WESTERN
KINGBIRD would stand out as the highlight of this week's birding. Many
observers have commented on the abundance of PURPLE MARTINS and CEDAR
WAXWINGS in various parts of the Park in recent days. What was probably
a family group of BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS spent a few days at 83 Bayshore
Road, but the ORCHARD ORIOLES at that address seem to have moved on.
The first suggestion of a warbler migration involved a BLACK-THROATED
GREEN WARBLER near the lighthouse and two sightings of BLACK-AND-WHITE
WARBLERS in locations where they have not been seen during the summer.
A PINE WARBLER still singing on July 31 was definitely not a returning
migrant. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS and PURPLE FINCHES are appearing in
small numbers.
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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