Presqu'ile Provincial Park has hosted more than its share of rare birds
in the past week, but for many visitors the variety of colourful
songbirds has been the main attraction, and will probably be the drawing
card for the Warblers and Whimbrels event taking place this coming
weekend. A bird banding demonstration will also take place.
Although eight BRANT were off Gull Island on May 13, the expected large
migration of that species has not yet materialized, or at least not
detected. Two NORTHERN PINTAILS were also there on that day. On May
15, the first HARLEQUIN DUCK in many months at Presqu'ile, a male, was
spotted diving together with a female COMMON GOLDENEYE, to which it was
apparently mated. Hundreds of LONG-TAILED DUCKS have gathered in the
offshore waters this week, awaiting the anticipated thaw in their Arctic
breeding ground. Some were already seen migrating overhead at dusk.
Both HORNED and RED-NECKED GREBES were seen on the rather late date of
May 13. A LEAST BITTERN was seen flying at the south end of the marsh
boardwalk, where a family of them was raised last year. GREAT EGRETS
are common at Presqu'ile but worth noting because many visitors look
forward to seeing them. A GREEN HERON sat in several trees near the
lighthouse one morning. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on May 15.
For the past three days, a colour-banded PIPING PLOVER has been seen
repeatedly on the beach. For the past three years, sightings of that
endangered species have become almost predictable at Presqu'ile.
Singles of both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS have been on the beach in
the past week. The much anticipated arrival of WHIMBRELS, a species
featured in the title of the forthcoming weekend, occurred on May 16,
when two rather early individuals rested briefly on the beach, along
with the first six RUDDY TURNSTONES. Other recent shorebird sightings
include SANDERLINGS, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, an early WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPER on May 15 and 16, and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER on May 13.
ARCTIC TERNS migrate through Ontario almost exclusively along the Ottawa
River, but the four records from the Park have all occurred in late May
and early June. Identifying them is a challenge, however, for anyone
unfamiliar with both that species and the COMMON TERNS, which nest at
Presqu'ile.
The first BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO of the season was found on May 15.
Several observers had the pleasure of watching a BARRED OWL vociferously
making its presence known deep in a hemlock tree beside the road.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are appearing in places which suggest that they
are not among the resident population. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS appeared
in different parts of the Park on May 12 and 13, both unusually early
dates. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was identified on May 13. Single
YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS were observed on May 12 and 17, and PHILADELPHIA
VIREOS on May 13. Several BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were seen. A NORTHERN
MOCKINGBIRD was singing in a treetop on May 12. CEDAR WAXWINGS,
generally a late migrant, have been seen on at least five of the last
seven days.
The warbler migration continues in full swing and might satisfy those
who come to see them this weekend. BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS were seen on
May 12 and 13. Except for the rarer species which turn up only
occasionally at Presqu'ile, all of the others have now put in an
appearance, including traditionally late-arriving ones such as
BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, MOURNING, WILSON'S, and CANADA WARBLERS. A
surprise was the singing male HOODED WARBLER which gave several birders
wonderful looks around the lighthouse area on May 14. Last but by no
means least was the rarest bird of the week, a male BLUE GROSBEAK which
was seen and photographed at the calf pasture on May 11, only the second
one ever seen at Presqu'ile, the previous one being in 1970.
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/
