In the face of persistent northerly winds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park,
migration has been slow for the past week. Indeed, two large white
quintessential winter birds were seen. The highlight of the week,
however, was a large black bird. Not everything is black and white in
the Park, for some more colourful birds are also present.
Apart from a NORTHERN SHOVELER and a rather late CANVASBACK, the variety
of ducks has been unremarkable. Other water birds have been somewhat
more interesting. At least three RED-THROATED LOONS were in Popham Bay
this morning. COMMON LOONS are being seen on most days, but the
anticipated early morning fly-overs have apparently not yet begun. The
first RED-NECKED GREBE was at the lighthouse on April 7, and two have
been there for the past two days. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS have yet
to appear at their nesting site on Sebastopol Island, but the wind
change that is forecast for tomorrow might bring them.
Two lucky birders were in the right spot at the right time on April 11,
when, looking up, they saw a BLACK VULTURE with a group of TURKEY
VULTURES moving past overhead. The only previous BLACK VULTURE at
Presqu'ile was in December, 2002. OSPREY, NORTHERN HARRIER,
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and AMERICAN KESTREL are the only other hawks seen
in the past week. For the second consecutive week, a RING-NECKED
PHEASANT was reported, this time along Paxton Drive. A late GLAUCOUS
GULL was found on April 8. CASPIAN TERNS are back in small numbers. A
late SNOWY OWL was sitting on the railing of the marsh boardwalk on
April 10. Another BARRED OWL was discovered on April 8.
The most reliable place to find RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER these days is
Jobes' woods, where one has been very vocal. Although YELLOW-BELLIED
SAPSUCKERS and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS have been seen twice this week,
they are not yet as plentiful as usual for this date. HERMIT THRUSHES
have been surprisingly scarce, none having been reported since April 4.
The first PINE WARBLER of the spring was singing near the old cemetery
this morning. By now there should be a good variety of sparrows, but we
are still awaiting the first migrant CHIPPING, FIELD, VESPER, SAVANNAH,
and FOX SPARROWS, all of which are normally here by early to mid-April,
often mingling with the flocks of DARK-EYED JUNCOES which also pass
through Presqu'ile at that time. PINE SISKINS are still present in good
numbers.
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/
