Now that temperatures have returned to normal at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park and winds have shifted to the north, the arrival of early migrant
birds has slowed down, but some of those many early migrants are still
lingering in the Park. The biggest surprise of the past week, a rare
southern ibis, may be one of those.
The waterfowl migration has slowed to a trickle, but a pair of NORTHERN
SHOVELERS in the marsh on March 28 was noteworthy. Whenever there is
calm water in Popham Bay, a few RED-THROATED LOONS can be seen with the
help of a spotting scope. Next month the numbers of that Presqu'ile
specialty should rise to double digits. A COMMON LOON was in Presqu'ile
Bay on March 28. This morning the first HORNED GREBE in the Park since
early January was off the day use area, and the first AMERICAN BITTERN
of the spring was in the marsh. A check of the GREAT EGRET nesting area
on High Bluff Island on March 26 revealed none, and the BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERONS have apparently not yet returned to their nesting area on
Sebastopol Island. An IBIS of the /Plegadis/ genus (GLOSSY or
WHITE-FACED) flew over the Park entrance on March 23 but has not been
re-located. Either species would be earlier than any of the very few
records from Presqu'ile. The first OSPREY of the season was over the
marsh on March 25, a record early date. A COOPER'S HAWK doing a flight
display over the fingers on March 28 and a MERLIN eating some prey item
on March 25 were the only other hawks of interest. It has been learned
that the VIRGINIA RAIL mentioned in last week's report was actually
outside the Park, but another in the marsh on March 23 was still much
earlier than the previous Park record. A CASPIAN TERN off Owen Point on
March 23 was three days earlier than the previous Presqu'ile record, set
twelve years ago. Two rather late SNOWY OWLS were seen on March 25, and
one was still there (on High Bluff Island) on the next day. Two BARRED
OWLS were near the Nature Centre on March 25.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are in at least two areas of the Park. A record
early YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was behind the Park store on March 23.
Both of the NORTHERN SHRIKE sightings in the past week, on March 23 and
25, were on the late side. With growing numbers of TREE SWALLOWS
around, other swallow species should be here soon. A HERMIT THRUSH was
seen on March 25. The YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER seen on March 22 was
probably the earliest ever in the Park. An early EASTERN TOWHEE was
heard yesterday. SWAMP SPARROWS have been found twice in the marsh in
the past week. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was reported on March 26. A
male HOUSE SPARROW, never common in the Park, was seen in two different
locations.
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].
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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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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/
