After weeks of finding mostly common birds, visitors to Presqu'ile
Provincial Park were rewarded in the past week by the discovery of a
number of rarities.
Again this week, a TRUMPETER SWAN has been observed with a MUTE SWAN in
the area between Salt Point and the calf pasture. There are still
plenty of WOOD DUCKS in the marsh. Other dabbling ducks have been
present in large numbers, mostly MALLARDS but including AMERICAN WIGEON,
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, five BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and three NORTHERN
SHOVELERS. There have been up to six scaup, probably GREATER SCAUP, in
Popham Bay. A real surprise was a female HARLEQUIN DUCK south of Owen
Point on the unusual date of September 2. The bird was not seen again
after being chased away by a boat. A COMMON MERGANSER was reported at
the lighthouse. COMMON LOONS have been flying past Presqu'ile in small
numbers. Four species of grebes were in the Park in the past week.
PIED-BILLED GREBES are numerous in the marsh. A HORNED GREBE swam past
186 Bayshore Road on September 4. A RED-NECKED GREBE was off Gull
Island on September 3 and another was seen on September 6. The
highlight, an EARED GREBE in full breeding plumage, was swimming today
between Gull Island and Sebastopol Island, the first of that species at
Presqu'ile in almost three years and the fourth September record of the
eight previous Park records. Herons and related birds are much less
evident than they were all summer. An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen on
September 5 and a GREAT EGRET on September 7.
Presqu'ile is not noted for its raptor migration, but some has been in
evidence this week, including OSPREYS, BALD EAGLES, NORTHERN HARRIERS,
SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, a COOPER'S HAWK, AMERICAN KESTRELS, and a number
of MERLINS and PEREGRINE FALCONS that have been harassing the shorebird
flocks around Owen Point. The first two AMERICAN COOTS of the season
were reported on September 3.
Shorebirds remain the chief attraction at this time of year, and most of
the twenty species have been very co-operative, providing "killer" looks
at some rare and uncommon species. An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER did a
fly-past on September 4. Both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS have been
present, though in small numbers. A WHIMBREL landed briefly on Owen
Point on September 5 before taking off again. RED KNOTS have been on
and around Owen Point every day for over a week, one even showing a lot
of the red of the alternate plumage. Both WHITE-RUMPED and BAIRD'S
SANDPIPERS can be picked out of the large flocks of "peeps". PECTORAL
SANDPIPERS, an early DUNLIN, and a STILT SANDPIPER also added interest.
The highlight for most birders has been the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER,
which, until September 6, was foraging around Owen Point almost
continuously, allowing views that were too close for binoculars or
cameras. All of the dowitchers identified have been SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHERS, but LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, as well as HUDSONIAN GODWITS,
occasionally show up later in the season. A COMMON TERN was still
present on September 2. A BARRED OWL can often be heard from a birder's
cottage at 38 Bayshore Road. Two COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen on
September 2 and birders have been hoping all week to flush or stumble
upon a WHIP-POOR-WILL.
The cottage at 83 Bayshore Road continues to host a RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER. The only swallows seen in the past week were a BARN SWALLOW
on September 5 and half a dozen CLIFF SWALLOWS on September 7.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were near the lighthouse. A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD
was seen on September 3, and the first AMERICAN PIPIT of the fall on the
following day. Warblers have been moving through in good numbers, but
only a fraction of them can be identified as they flit through the heavy
foliage in the canopy. Two very early ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were
among those identified, as were both PINE and PALM WARBLERS. The
highlight of the week, however, was a KENTUCKY WARBLER on the Jobes'
woods trail on September 7, extremely rare at any time at Presqu'ile but
especially so in autumn. It could not be re-located today. SCARLET
TANAGERS have been seen on three occasions, and EASTERN TOWHEES twice.
It is not too early to be looking for LAPLAND LONGSPURS on the beach,
nor too late to be seeing the BALTIMORE ORIOLES that have been
frequenting the feeders at 83 Bayshore Road 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 until after September 10 to prevent disturbance to the
colonial nesting birds there. It is not clear yet how deep the channel
is between Owen Point and Gull Island. Visitors to Gull Island not
using a boat should be prepared to wade through water of uncertain depth
in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat
uneven and slippery. Birders are encouraged to record their
observations on the bird sightings board provided by The Friends of
Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not
listed there.
For those planning to come to the OFO trip at Presqu'ile on September
11th the daily park pass is $10.75 and correct change is needed if you
don't want to get slowed up at the gate. There will NOT be an attendant
present until later in the day. This is a reduced rate starting
September 6th after the long weekend.
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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/
