The fall bird migration, now in full swing at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park, makes for much more interesting birding than the fairly static
conditions of mid-summer. Whether checking out the shorebirds and
waterfowl at the west end of the Park or scanning the treetops near the
lighthouse or at the calf pasture for warblers, there is always the
potential for something unusual to be discovered.
One of the biggest surprises was a record early BRANT, located on August
22 but not seen since then. The Park would appreciate a rare bird
report for that observation. Two unmarked TRUMPETER SWANS have been on
the shores of Popham Bay almost every day since August 17. On August
27, a WOOD DUCK was in the marsh and a GREATER SCAUP flew past Owen
Point. COMMON LOONS have been both seen and heard during the week.
Three TURKEY VULTURES appeared on August 23. As many as four OSPREYS
have been patrolling the waters of Presqu'ile Bay. An immature BALD
EAGLE, the first of the fall, was seen off Owen Point on August 25 and
between Salt Point and the calf pasture on August 27.
Shorebird numbers have been returning to normal since the weekend, but
many of them are frequenting the shores of Gull Island, which will
remain inaccessible for another fortnight. An early AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER was seen on August 22 but has not been seen since. A
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER has been on the beach and adjacent areas since
August 23, and perhaps two different individuals have been involved. An
additional twelve species of shorebirds, often seen at very close range
from lookout #3 on the Owen Point trail, have kept things interesting.
A WHIMBREL was seen on August 22 and 23 and two were there two days
later, along with a RED KNOT. A SANDERLING that had been banded and
leg-tagged in Delaware last year was spotted at Presqu'ile on August 23
and 27. Both WHITE-RUMPED and BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS have been among the
other shorebirds in the Park. BONAPARTE'S GULLS have been present for
the past two days.
A ROCK PIGEON sitting on the shore of Gull Island was unusual. Two
observers found a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO along Paxton Drive on August 26,
only the second of that species in the Park this year. A BARRED OWL was
found in broad daylight in Jobes' woods. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS
continue to visit the feeders at 83 Bayshore Road. Two OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHERS at the calf pasture on August 26 were interacting with each
other and a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was also there. While other
flycatchers and vireos continue to be ubiquitous, swallows have suddenly
thinned out since the weekend, when fairly large numbers were passing
through. Brown-backed thrushes should be arriving soon. There has been
a good variety of warblers and vireos this week, especially on Tuesday,
but finding them is a bit of a challenge because they are concentrated
in a few locations, and identifying them is even more daunting as they
flit among the leafy tree-tops. A GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER on August 24
was mercifully at eye level. Others seen recently have included two
PHILADELPHIA VIREOS and TENNESSEE, CAPE MAY, BAY-BREASTED, MOURNING,
CANADA, and WILSON'S WARBLERS. At least two SCARLET TANAGERS have been
identified.
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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