Despite the influx of birders to Presqu'ile Provincial Park, looking
unsuccessfully for the first PURPLE SANDPIPERS of the season, there has
not been a lot of activity to report. What there is has been largely
confined to the waters and shorelines.
In addition to the reliable MUTE SWANS, a single TRUMPETER SWAN was seen
yesterday, and a few TUNDRA SWANS have appeared. Over 40 GADWALLS have
congregated between Gull Island and High Bluff Island. For almost a
month a small group of SURF SCOTERS has been in Presqu'ile Bay, usually
between Salt Point and the lighthouse. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are also
present there on most days. RUDDY DUCKS were in Popham Bay this
morning. Among the six shorebird species still present in the past week
were a late SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and up to four WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS, both seen today. The number of DUNLINS keeps increasing,
with almost 50 present today. The presence of seven apparently healthy
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS is a welcome change from recent years, when
specimens of that species were continually washing up on shore at this
time of year, apparently having succumbed to botulism.
Three different BARRED OWLS were found this morning. In recent years
SHORT-EARED OWLS have shown up on Gull Island in early November, though
this year there seems to be less evidence of vole activity there. A
late NORTHERN FLICKER was seen this week. One observer saw a PILEATED
WOODPECKER and heard another on the same day. A late BLUE-HEADED VIREO
was at the lighthouse on November 1. Four HORNED LARKS were on Gull
Island on Sunday. Land birds this week included WINTER WREN,
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and FOX
SPARROW. /Icterids /present this week and perhaps planning to stay for
the winter were RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, and BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRD. A few PURPLE FINCHES are still lingering, and PINE SISKINS
show no sign of abandoning the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through water that is shin-deep,
not taking into account any wave action,.in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point,
Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days. 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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