Hello Ontbirders: A record 65 participants enjoyed a consistently productive day at Presqu'ile Provincial Park and area. 86 bird species were collectively observed under near cloudless skies and a perfect 22*C.
A solid collection of songbirds greeted visitors at the Lighthouse area, with the best birds being an incessantly calling YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER as well as BLACKPOLL, WILSON'S AND BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS. A SCARLET TANAGER showed fairly well, as did fly-by OSPREY and AMERICAN KESTREL. In an attempt to beat the heat haze, the group next ventured to Owen Point where an immature dark morph POMARINE JAEGER was briefly seen by 2 observers flying west over Gull Island. MERLINS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS were afoot, meaning the shorebirds in the area were skittish. Fortunately, good views were had at 2 WESTERN SANDPIPERS (one exhibiting no rufous colouring on the scapulars and the other showing plenty) amidst frequent group flights. Many SEMIPALMATED, some BAIRD'S and LEAST and 1 adult WHITE-RUMPED made for a rare "peep sweep". Pairs of SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS fed at close range in excellent light. Farther north, some observers enjoyed close-range views of a juvenile STILT SANDPIPER. An adult BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER roosted in the Beach 3 area near an adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. An immature BALD EAGLE soared high overhead just before lunch and a second immature was seen catching a fish off of Calf Pasture Point just after lunch. One of the best birds of the day was a juvenile DARK-EYED JUNCO--quite likely from a rare resident pair--that fed at close range at Calf Pasture. Briefly stopping at the first viewing deck on the Marsh Boardwalk proved fruitful as a targeted NORTHERN HARRIER was seen immediately. The day ended with a stop at the Brighton Constructed Wetland. As has been the case for much of the past 3 weeks, the north cell was very productive, with highlights including SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, WILSON'S SNIPE, another Short-billed Dowitcher _______________________________________________ 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
