At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, both birders and birds seem to have been
impatient to get moving. Finally last night some of the latter decided
it was time to move in. Before that, some of the more interesting
sightings were late lingering winter birds, rather than early spring
arrivals.
CANADA GEESE have begun what appears to be a molt migration, as flocks
are heading north overhead. MUTE SWANS have apparently chased almost
all other waterfowl out of the marsh and into other nearby waters. It
is surely time to take seriously suggestions that this invasive species
be brought under control. NORTHERN SHOVELERS (4 today) and NORTHERN
PINTAILS (3 on Monday) were in Popham Bay. A REDHEAD was also there
today. The most plentiful ducks these days are LONG-TAILED DUCKS, many
of which have taken on their alternate (breeding) plumage as they await
the time when their arctic breeding grounds open up. A female HOODED
MERGANSER, the first since mid-April, was in Popham Bay today. Three
RED-THROATED LOONS were there on Monday, and two today. A lone
RED-NECKED GREBE and several HORNED GREBES were off the day use area
this morning.
GREAT EGRETS are being seen daily. After being evicted from Sebastopol
Island by DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS for the past few years,
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS appear, at least for now, to be reclaiming
that former nesting site. SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWKS have both
been seen this week. As this report was being completed, a call came in
that a YELLOW RAIL was ticking at the marsh boardwalk, the first in
several years. Low water levels in the marsh may be providing better
habitat for that species than in recent years. Another highlight was a
SANDHILL CRANE that flew over calling, a species that appears at
Presqu'ile only once or twice a year as a rule. The main shorebird
migration is still a few weeks away, but the vanguard, consisting of two
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, one or two SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, and two GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, have been on the beach. Both ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS
were seen at Owen Point on Saturday, and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was
there on Tuesday. The first COMMON TERNS arrived today. A late SNOWY
OWL was seen on Sunday. At 1:30 this afternoon, a BARRED OWL was
calling behind 83 Bayshore Road in Newcastle woods.
Optimistic birders have put out their hummingbird feeders, recognizing
that this is about the normal arrival date for RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRDS. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was seen yesterday. Two COMMON
RAVENS were spotted twice this week, including at Owen Point this
morning. Among the new arrivals today was a large number of HERMIT
THRUSHES, one observer noting 15. Within the last two days, the number
of warbler species found in the Park this spring has tripled, new ones
being NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER,
and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. A few EASTERN TOWHEES, a FOX SPARROW,
and nine RUSTY BLACKBIRDS are further signs that species expected in
April did indeed show up. PINE SISKINS have been present all week at 83
Bayshore Road, and a female EVENING GROSBEAK was there on Sunday. The
male HOUSE SPARROW at 186 Bayshore Road has unfortunately been joined by
a female for the past two days.
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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