This has been a week of steady but not spectacular fall bird migration
at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Many birds, especially insectivorous
ones, have left, but many more have not yet arrived, so there will be
sufficient activity to captivate the Trent University ornithology class
and any other bird-oriented groups or individuals that will visit the
Park this weekend.
No large flocks of migrant ducks have yet appeared at Presqu'ile, but a
single NORTHERN PINTAIL, a flock of six GADWALLS, and another of 30
AMERICAN WIGEONS are a sign of things to come, though it may be
increasingly difficult to find them after the waterfowl hunt commences
on Saturday. An AMERICAN BITTERN and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON were
both located last weekend. The latter was fishing on the shore of High
Bluff Island and was joined by a second bird of that species on the
following day. Among the smattering of hawks were two sightings of
single BALD EAGLES, at least one of which was the first adult here this
fall. Seven SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS early on September 19 were the highest
count of any raptor. Anyone waiting long enough at the beach or on Gull
Island is likely to see a MERLIN, to which attention may be drawn by a
sudden flush of shorebirds or ducks. There was a PEREGRINE FALCON there
on September 18. Between Atkins Lane and 175 Bayshore Road, a WILD
TURKEY, presumably always the same bird, was seen on five different days
in the past week.
Though varying in number (over 200 on one day) and species composition
from day to day, shorebirds continue to provide easy and reliable bird
finding. The "regulars" this week have included BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS,
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, lots of SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, a late SPOTTED SANDPIPER, several WHIMBRELS (usually on Gull
Island), SEMIPALMATED, LEAST, WHITE-RUMPED, BAIRD'S, and PECTORAL
SANDPIPERS, and increasing numbers of DUNLINS. The highlight, however,
was a HUDSONIAN GODWIT that stopped briefly on September 20 and has not
been seen since. A rare bird report for that sighting would be
appreciated by the Park staff. It is almost time for a RED PHALAROPE to
appear, though that does not happen every year. A rather late CASPIAN
TERN was on Sebastopol Island today.
BARRED OWLS are known to be in the Park all the time, but having three
located in one week (this week) is exceptional, as is the one that was
hunting in daylight today. The most recent RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
sighting, though not the latest on record, was on September 22. A
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was not far from the Nature Centre on September
18. "Dozens" of NORTHERN FLICKERS were near the Park entrance on
September 19, and an equally surprising 16 or so EASTERN PHOEBES were in
another part of the Park on September 24. The well-described
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER seen at the calf pasture on September 18 was
almost a record late date. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO and a WOOD THRUSH were
still present on September 19. The first HORNED LARK of the season was
on Gull Island on September 19.
The elusive ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at the lighthouse on three
different dates, and a late YELLOW WARBLER was there on September 23. A
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER on September 18 and a CANADA WARBLER on the
following day were noteworthy. Early sparrow-related birds in the past
week have included an EASTERN TOWHEE on September 19, a WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROW on September 24, and DARK-EYED JUNCOES on four different dates
since September 17.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through knee-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days after tomorrow, i.e.,
beginning on Septeember 26. Birders are encouraged to record their
observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground
office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird
report for species not listed there.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [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.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
