Before the November birding doldrums set in, there is still enough
activity at Presqu'ile Provincial Park to make a day's birding there
worthwhile. Moreover, some of the rare birds that periodically visit
Presqu'ile have begun appearing and typically show up in November.
The BRANT that has been frequenting the shores of Popham Bay was still
present today, and three of that species were at Sebastopol Island on
October 27. Two NORTHERN PINTAILS have joined the other dabbling ducks
in the marsh. A report of a CANVASBACK and ten BLACK SCOTERS off the
south shore of the peninsula on October 29 was unusual. A dead
RED-THROATED LOON and several dead COMMON LOONS may have succumbed to
botulism.
Few hawks were seen in the Park this week, but NORTHERN HARRIERS were
around the islands on October 23 and 25. A large accipiter, perhaps a
NORTHERN GOSHAWK, was at the lighthouse on October 27. At this time of
year ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS can be expected, the only one found so far this
fall being back on October 17. A falcon believed to be a MERLIN was
harassing shorebirds on Sebastopol Island on October 27. Although not
seen every year, GYRFALCONS do appear regularly at Presqu'ile at this
time of year.
The remains of a RING-NECKED PHEASANT, a species almost never seen alive
in the Park, washed up on the beach. There were at least two RUFFED
GROUSE sightings in the past week, and the two WILD TURKEYS that have
been straying onto Bayshore Road continue to put in appearances. The
shorebird migration has slowed down, but, true to form, the first of
that Presqu'ile specialty, a PURPLE SANDPIPER, was the not unexpected
highlight on October 25. Subsequent searches later in the week were
unsuccessful, but more of that species are expected next month. Ten
other shorebird species appeared in the past week, and about fifty
individuals, mostly DUNLINS, were still present today. Others of
interest include a late SEMIPALMATED PLOVER on October 25, several
GREATER and one LESSER YELLOWLEGS, a late LEAST SANDPIPER on October 27,
up to 20 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, and a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER on October
27. BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES are another rarity that occasionally
appears at this time of year. BARRED OWLS have again been seen and
photographed by several observers, and a dead one was found on the beach.
The latest sighting of an EASTERN PHOEBE was on October 25. An EASTERN
BLUEBIRD was also seen on that date. There are still small flocks of
AMERICAN PIPITS around Gull Island. Two FIELD SPARROWS on October 25
and the first two AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS on the following day were of
interest, as were FOX SPARROWS on October 24 and 26. On October 25, two
LAPLAND LONGSPURS were among the many SNOW BUNTINGS that have been
around Owen Point all week.
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 shin-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 until December 20. 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.
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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/
