In anticipation of the Ontario Field Ornithologists' outing to
Presqu'ile Provincial Park this Sunday, birders are keeping a close eye
on the weather forecast. At the moment, the prospects look auspicious,
given the continuing southerly winds that have slowed the fall migration
and the anticipated cold front and westerly winds on the weekend.
The flock of REDHEADS in Popham Bay has grown to about 30, and a GREATER
SCAUP was among them yesterday. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER swam past the
lighthouse on Monday. Fifteen COMMON MERGANSERS were on Gull Island
this morning. GREEN HERONS have been frequenting Salt Point. While
OSPREYS are no longer reliable at Salt Point, they are being seen
elsewhere in the Park. A BALD EAGLE was seen two days ago, but a GOLDEN
EAGLE reported anonymously on September 1 is questionable because of the
unprecedentedly early date. For the third time in just over a week, a
BROAD-WINGED HAWK soared over the lighthouse on August 29. MERLINS are
chasing the shorebirds at Owen Point on most days.
The shorebirds at lookout #3 on the Owen Point trail are often
obligingly close, as they gorge themselves on the algae flats. At least
15 species have appeared in the past week, highlights being
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONES, a
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, several BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, a PECTORAL
SANDPIPER, an early DUNLIN, and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. At least
three different GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been present in recent
days. Only a very few CASPIAN TERNS remain.
An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen on the weekend. The last of the
PURPLE MARTINS were seen on August 30. Since MARSH WRENS, like most
other songbirds, have gone silent, the sighting of one on Saturday was
of interest. One can expect the first of the AMERICAN PIPITS and
perhaps LAPLAND LONGSPURS to appear any day now. Warblers have been
passing through, with isolated pockets showing up, including NORTHERN
PARULA and BAY-BREASTED, PALM, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS in the mix. A
SCARLET TANAGER was found today.
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 until after September 10 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] <mailto:[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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