Although the land bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park is slowly
winding down, there have been enough other birds of interest to make
trips to the Park worthwhile. The coming month is usually a quiet time
of year for birding, but it also often produces some exceptional
rarities, strays from the far west or from the east coast.
TUNDRA SWANS are due to arrive with the next cold front. Meanwhile, the
focus on waterfowl has been on the marsh, where a male EURASIAN WIGEON,
one of very few fall records and the only one outside September, was
present throughout the day on October 27. Unfortunately, it was not
reported today. NORTHERN PINTAILS have been there consistently in small
numbers for the past week. October 24 was the day of the loons at
Presqu'ile. One count near the lighthouse produced two RED-THROATED and
40 COMMON LOONS. On the following two days, one or two of the former
were in Popham Bay and an estimated 60 of the latter were spread out
along the waterfront. Hundreds of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS have
suddenly re-appeared. Birders visiting Presqu'ile should be alert to
the possibility that a CATTLE EGRET which was on the north side of
Presqu'ile Bay yesterday might show up in the Park.
The most recent sighting of the OSPREY that has been frequenting the
cove at the calf pasture was on October 27, a rather late date for that
species. A BALD EAGLE has also been seen regularly in that area, most
recently on October 26. The shorebirds of the past week were
represented by seven species, none of them unexpected at this time of
year, but as yet none of the soon-to-be-expected PURPLE SANDPIPERS,
which are the featured attraction for birders at Presqu'ile every
November. LITTLE GULLS were seen in one's and two's for four of the
past five days over Popham Bay and off the lighthouse in the late
afternoon.
A surprising but frustrating find on October 26 was a hummingbird of
unknown species that was glimpsed briefly at 186 Bayshore Road as it
flew away. At this late date (three weeks later than any previous record
here), it seems unlikely that it was a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. Two
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were seen on the same day. Also fairly late but
nowhere near a record are the EASTERN PHOEBES being seen as recently as
October 27. A COMMON RAVEN was at the day use area on October 26.
There is no record of CAVE SWALLOW for Presqu'ile, but local birders
have been diligently searching for them for the past few days. Perhaps
that species will follow the pattern that other swallows exhibit prior
to their fall departure, coming in to roost in the marsh at dusk. A
CAROLINA WREN has appeared (usually near dusk) on each of the past five
days at either 186 or 191 Bayshore Road, probably the same individual
that was there two weeks earlier. Five EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were on Paxton
Drive today. There was a report of a very late WOOD THRUSH on October
24. For the second time this month, an EASTERN TOWHEE showed up at 191
Bayshore Road. The first AMERICAN TREE SPARROW of the season appeared
on October 26, the same date as the first of that species last year.
Both that bird and a FIELD SPARROW on October 24 were on Gull Island.
FOX SPARROWS, up to six at a time, have been frequenting the feeders at
191 Bayshore Road for the past five days, occasionally wandering to the
lighthouse and to 186 Bayshore Road. A SWAMP SPARROW was at 83 Bayshore
Road. The most recent WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW sighting was on October
25. LAPLAND LONGSPURS were on Gull Island on October 24 and 27. SNOW
BUNTINGS, sometimes several dozen, have been there and on the beach.
PURPLE FINCHES are patronizing the feeders at 191 Bayshore Road. PINE
SISKINS have been there and elsewhere in the Park, including a flock of
about 70. Three EVENING GROSBEAKS were encountered along one of the
trails today. Both male and female HOUSE SPARROWS, never common at
Presqu'ile, appeared singly at feeders in the past 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. 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].
--
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.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
