Presqu'ile Provincial Park has a remarkable number of bird species that
spend the summer here, many of which have been found in the past week.
Some of these usually spend the summer further north and are not
normally found along the north shore of Lake Ontario except while
passing through in migration. Others are near the northern limit of
their range at any season. While those are not unexpected in the Park
in summer, they are the principal focus of birding these days. Only a
few spring migrants are still around.
Hundreds of CANADA GEESE are gathered on the shore of Popham Bay, most
of which are likely non-breeders or birds that have finished breeding
for this year. A few unlikely ducks found in the past week are an
AMERICAN WIGEON on June 12, up to eight REDHEADS, two SCAUP (sp.?), and
a late BUFFLEHEAD on June 10. Some of the hundreds of DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS that nest on High Bluff Island have taken over Sebastopol
Island, displacing most of the BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS that were
nesting there. A LEAST BITTERN flew across the causeway that leads to
the Park.
An immature BALD EAGLE flew over the Park on June 14. The only other
hawks noted this week were NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and
COOPER'S HAWK. A WILD TURKEY was seen at least twice. A SORA was found
in the Owen Point marsh. Northbound shorebirds continue to arrive on
the beach: a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER on June 12, RUDDY TURNSTONES on June
11 and 15, 18 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS on June 16, 3 WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS on June 16, 8 DUNLINS on June 14. Single BONAPARTE'S GULLS
on June 12 (adult) and 14 (immature) and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS on
June 11 and 12. A BARRED OWL was heard on June 14. June is also a
month when Presqu'ile's only CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW was around (22 years
ago), so, given that the species has occurred further north than this in
each of the past two years, local birders can live in hope that another
might show up.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is one of the southern species which has become
established at Presqu'ile and has been seen regularly this week. Both
WILLOW and LEAST FLYCATCHERS have been present this week. BROWN CREEPER
and WINTER WREN, also seen this week, are two of the northern species
that spend the summer at Presqu'ile. In contrast, the BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER seen this week is one of the Park's southern summer
residents. A male EASTERN BLUEBIRD was found on June 12, for the second
time in three weeks. A record late BLACKPOLL WARBLER on June 16 was
almost certainly a lingering migrant, but the CANADA WARBLER on June 13
may well be here all summer. ORCHARD ORIOLES, a southern bird, and
PURPLE FINCHES, a northern bird, are both summer residents at Presqu'ile
and this week was no exception.
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.
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 [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
