Birds are on the move! A dramatic turnaround occurred at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park last weekend as shorebirds and "dickey birds" that had
delayed their arrival suddenly began offering treats to birders. Since
then, the typical pattern has been to stumble upon a mixed flock of
small birds and then encounter no more anywhere nearby.
Again this week a SCAUP accompanied the REDHEADS that frequent the north
shore of Gull Island. Each year at this time, frogs abound on the trail
near Owen Point, and again this year both AMERICAN BITTERN and GREEN
HERON have been flushed from that trail after presumably having been
attracted there by the frogs. A BALD EAGLE was seen on August 16, and
subsequently a NORTHERN HARRIER was seen and a few SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS
were migrating on August 17.
The newly developed algae flats at Owen Point and along the shore north
of there have attracted good numbers of shorebirds. Others can be
spotted on Gull Island with the help of a spotting scope. Some of the
highlights of the past week have been up to four BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS
and a similar number of RUDDY TURNSTONES. A RED KNOT was on Gull Island
on Sunday and three unbanded birds of that species were at beach 3 this
afternoon. A few SANDERLINGS, a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and a few
BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS have also been present. Although rare, BUFF-BREASTED
SANDPIPERS show up every year in late August and may be expected soon.
Perhaps the highlight of the shorebird sightings was a RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE on Gull Island on August 15.
Two BONAPARTE'S GULLS were on the beach today. A lethargic adult GREAT
BLACK-BACKED GULL that was present for three days may have succumbed to
botulism, as many others of that species have done in previous years. A
COMMON NIGHTHAWK was migrating over the lighthouse on August 18. There
have been a few MERLIN sightings and one of a PEREGRINE FALCON, both of
which commonly patrol the beach in shorebird season.
A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was seen on August 17 in a mixed flock of
warblers and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS. The latter have appeared in
several locations this week. A COMMON RAVEN, the first since spring,
flew over on August 18. The warbler migration began in earnest on the
weekend. On August 17 a female GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER appeared outside a
birder's kitchen window to begin a day on which someone else saw a
"BREWSTER'S" WARBLER at the lighthouse. On the following day a closely
related BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was there. Among other warbler species noted
this week were NASHVILLE, BAY-BREASTED, and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS, as
well as three CANADA WARBLERS at one location.
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
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