At Presqu’ile Provincial Park, the month of July is when many of the summer resident birds disperse after fledging their young, so that the number of birds is double that of a month ago. The only change in the variety of species, however, is the first arrival of a few fall migrants from elsewhere.
Two male AMERICAN WIGEONS were on the beach yesterday. On Monday morning, two male scaup were at Salt Point with their heads tucked under as if sleeping after a long flight. Thus, it was impossible to identify the species. This morning, however, two male GREATER SCAUP, likely the same two birds, were closer to the lighthouse. Visits to the marsh by canoe produced a LEAST BITTERN on July 5 and a GREEN HERON on July 6. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was on Sebastopol Island on July 5. The first GREATER YELLOWLEGS of the season was at Owen Point this morning. A report of an UPLAND SANDPIPER and a STILT SANDPIPER on July 5 was unusual, especially since the former species had not previously been reported from Presqu’ile that early in July. Twice in the last week an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed from the Owen Point trail. With immature BONAPARTE’S GULLS showing up in small numbers around the lighthouse, birders should be on the lookout for immature BLACK TERNS, which no longer nest at Presqu’ile but occasionally pass through after the breeding season in nearby colonies. Some unconfirmed reports from the past week include RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, AMERICAN KESTREL, and PEREGRINE FALCON, none of which are known to have bred in the Park in recent years. 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
