A typical mid-April week of birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has
been marked by the return of one species after another. The level of
song (for those who can hear it) makes birding relatively easy and
certainly adds to the pleasure of wandering the roads and trails of the
Park.
A TRUMPETER SWAN appeared for two consecutive days in the marsh opposite
the bird sightings board. The resident MUTE SWAN made every effort to
chase it off its territory (aquitory?). Any lesser species of waterfowl
would have no chance of breeding anywhere near that invasive bird. What
agency will finally undertake a cull? A good variety of other waterfowl
remains in the area, but the numbers are down, especially, in recent
days, RING-NECKED DUCKS (only a couple of dozen left) and COMMON
GOLDENEYES, both of which were much more plentiful a week ago. Two
female HOODED MERGANSERS were in Popham Bay, a location that remains
productive of RED-THROATED LOONS (a flock of eight today). HORNED and
RED-NECKED GREBES were plentiful this week off the day use area, with a
maximum of 16 of the former today and 23 of the latter on April 12. On
most days, one or more GREAT EGRETS can be seen, either in the marsh or
flying to or from High Bluff Island. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS are due
to appear on Sebastopol Island. A GREAT HORNED OWL was heard near the
group campground.
A BANK SWALLOW on April 10 was early. PURPLE MARTINS returned on April
14. In the past, most of the few TUFTED TITMOUSE sightings at
Presqu'ile have been in mid-April. The lighthouse area is a likely
location. HERMIT THRUSHES, PINE WARBLERS, CHIPPING SPARROWS, and
singles of WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and RUSTY BLACKBIRD are among the
spring migrants observed in the Park this 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. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there. 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.
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