As the spring bird migration tapers off in Presqu'ile Provincial Park,
it is becoming increasingly difficult to find new birds (ones that
haven't been here since last year). Despite that several interesting
sightings have been reported in the past week. A few birds' nests of
interest have also been discovered.
What appears to have been a moult migration of CANADA GEESE took place
on May 24, when three flocks passed overhead. A maximum of 500 BRANT in
two flocks passed Presqu'ile on May 21, but none appeared since May 23.
Among the ducks lingering along the north shore of Gull Island are
AMERICAN WIGEONS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN
PINTAIL, and REDHEADS. Further out in Popham Bay, a male SCAUP was seen
on May 25 and 14 late COMMON GOLDENEYES were seen on May 26. Flocks of
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS moved past the lighthouse on May 23 (50) and 25
(14). Single male and female COMMON MERGANSERS were off Owen Point.
For the past five days a HORNED GREBE and a RED-NECKED GREBE have been
in Popham Bay, the latter also present on May 22 but showing signs of
ill health. In addition to the four species of herons and related birds
that can be found every day at Presqu'ile, a GREEN HERON was seen on May 25.
MERLINS have appeared at Owen Point and the lighthouse, which may be a
minor contributing factor to the disappointing shortage of shorebirds so
far this year. What is needed is a good overnight storm. In the
meantime, what is lacking in numbers is compensated for by quality.
PIPING PLOVERS have appeared sporadically since May 22 but have proven
elusive for most of the birders who have searched the beach from the
locations that have not been posted as off limits. Other shorebirds of
note were BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, a measly two WHIMBRELS that
nevertheless cooperated nicely for participants in the Warblers and
Whimbrels weekend, some colourful RUDDY TURNSTONES, a RED KNOT on May
22, a rare-in-spring BAIRD'S SANDPIPER on May 23, an equally
rare-in-spring PURPLE SANDPIPER on May 22 that, based on some plumage
and bill characteristics, might actually have been a new-to-Ontario ROCK
SANDPIPER, a few SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE. An
immature GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was at Owen Point for two days.
A single ROCK PIGEON, never common at Presqu'ile, was on the spit at
Owen Point and another was at the lighthouse. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS have
been in the Park now for over a week, but YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS are
among very few of the expected species that have not yet returned,
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS being another. Single CHIMNEY SWIFTS have been around
the lighthouse for the past two days. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER called
repeatedly near the lighthouse on May 21 but could not be spotted among
the foliage in the willows. The RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER nest in Jobes'
Woods continues to be monitored, while a second pair likely has a nest
near the lighthouse. Within the past five days, five OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHERS have been seen in different parts of the Park, most recently
north of the Owen Point trail access road on May 27. YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHERS are among the few remaining expected species that have not
yet been seen this spring. EASTERN KINGBIRDS are building a nest high
in a tree beside the lighthouse. A late PHILADELPHIA VIREO was watched
on May 27 as it sang its RED-EYED VIREO sound-alike song. The
frustrating wait for the discovery of a COMMON RAVEN'S nest has ended.
The first ever at Presqu'ile was located near the Elmvale campground.
Again this week, a CAROLINA WREN appeared at 83 Bayshore Road on May
24. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER'S nest is in plain view right beside the
road (Paxton Drive) not far from the lighthouse. Only one GRAY-CHEEKED
THRUSH and very few SWAINSON'S THRUSHES have been seen here this
spring. A large flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS circled over the lighthouse on
May 23. On the same morning an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was also there.
A female "BREWSTER'S WARBLER" was seen on May 22 and a female CERULEAN
WARBLER on May 21. An AMERICAN REDSTART has a nest beside the lighthouse
parking lot. A MOURNING WARBLER has apparently set up territory beside
Paxton Drive, about 100 metres beyond the Jobes' Woods trail parking
lot. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was banded on the weekend and another observer
found two on May 25. ORCHARD ORIOLES are building a nest for the second
consecutive year beside the lighthouse visitor centre.
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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