Birders have been few and far between at Presqu’ile Provincial Park lately. Not surprisingly, therefore, most of the bird sightings have been of common species, of which there are plenty in such a diverse set of habitats.
Aside from the WOOD DUCKS in the marsh, the only other ducks worth mentioning were a pair of REDHEADS in Popham Bay. RUFFED GROUSE and COMMON LOONS are among the birds that are present in small numbers all summer, and both have been seen on a couple of occasions in the past week. GREAT EGRETS are still visible on High Bluff Island but in reduced numbers. A GREEN HERON flew into the marsh. The OSPREYS on the Salt Point lighthouse appear to have hatched one young bird. A COMMON GALLINULE was seen in the marsh. What may be the beginning of the fall shorebird migration was the sighting of a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER on July 2 and a LEAST SANDPIPER on July 3. The spectacular, largely white DUNLIN continues to be seen on the beach, as recently as this morning. Various other shorebird species have been known to show up in the first week or two of July. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed from a muddy spot on the Owen Point trail. Two surprisingly early BONAPARTE’S GULLS were on the beach on June 28, and an immature GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was on Gull Island on the same date. Several people saw a BARRED OWL on the Jobes’ Woods trail. A CHIMNEY SWIFT seen today was unusual at this time of year. At 83 Bayshore Road RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are regular feeder visitors. BROWN CREEPER and WINTER WREN are among the less conspicuous summer residents, and both have been seen in the past week. Someone saw a SAVANNAH SPARROW this morning, a species that is not known to summer in the Park. A SCARLET TANAGER on July 1 was also unusual. The best place to find ORCHARD ORIOLES is at 83 Bayshore Road, where seven were seen on one recent day. 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 K0K 1H0 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 including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
