Finding fall migrants among the land birds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
still takes a bit of searching and/or luck, but they are definitely on
the move. On the other hand, the shorebird migration has fizzled almost
to nothing in the past few days, perhaps in part because high water
levels have minimized the amount of suitable habitat, a condition that
may change during the next week of predicted warm, dry weather.
The two TRUMPETER SWANS that were last seen in mid-July re-appeared in
Popham Bay on August 8 and 10. A record early BUFFLEHEAD flew past the
lighthouse on August 10. A COMMON MERGANSER is being seen regularly at
Owen Point. A high count of nine GREAT EGRETS on High Bluff Island may
still be an under-estimate because not all can be seen from the
mainland. Up to three OSPREYS have been seen almost every day this
month. Now that the nesting season for BALD EAGLES is over, birds of
that species may soon be showing up at Presqu'ile. Various other hawks
have appeared in the Park in the past few days, including NORTHERN
HARRIER, COOPER'S HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, and MERLIN (the latter at two
widely separated locations on the same day). As mentioned above, the
shorebirds that were present a week ago have mostly moved on, but the
previously reported RUDDY TURNSTONE and BAIRD'S SANDPIPER were both
seen again during the past week (August 11 and 7, respectively). When
the next influx of shorebirds occurs, as it surely will, Presqu'ile will
again be not only a productive place to see them at close range but also
a place where they can be seen in a more natural habitat than a sewage
lagoon.
Single CHIMNEY SWIFTS were flying over the lighthouse on August 9 and
10. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER paid two visits this week to 83 Bayshore
Road. The second OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER of the season was found along
Paxton Drive on August 11. A CLIFF SWALLOW flew over on August 11, the
first in many weeks. A wren seen briefly at the lighthouse on August 12
was probably a CAROLINA WREN. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS continue to
frequent 83 Bayshore Road. A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH at the lighthouse on
August 8 was two weeks earlier than the previous record at Presqu'ile.
Among the warblers seen in the Park this week were NASHVILLE,
CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACKBURNIAN, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. Two SCARLET
TANAGERS were seen on August 13. A PURPLE FINCH was feeding a young one
on August 7.
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.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
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For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
