A good variety of warblers and other expected May birds appeared at
Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week.
A TRUMPETER SWAN with the K29 wing tag was spotted again on May 2.
With an increase in boat traffic, the number of ducks remaining has
dwindled, but a few of the more interesting species that were still
around in the first week of the month were GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON,
NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, REDHEAD, GREATER SCAUP, COMMON
GOLDENEYE, and a reported RUDDY DUCK. In addition to the few
RED-THROATED LOONS that have been in the traditional location far out in
Popham Bay, another individual was in the inner part of Presqu'ile Bay
on May 4, perhaps the same individual that has been seen sporadically
since March 11. What appears to have been a GREAT CORMORANT, a species
never confirmed at Presqu'ile, was seen on May 4, about an hour later
than a confirmed sighting of that species flying west from Prince Edward
Point. A LEAST BITTERN was in the marsh on May 2, tying the previous
earliest record date. While GREAT EGRETS are a fairly common nesting
bird at Presqu'ile, the much rarer SNOWY EGRETS have also been seen in
previous years during the month of May. The first GREEN HERON of the
season was seen today.
The YELLOW RAIL reported last week was heard again on May 2 and a SORA
was in the marsh on May 5. A SANDHILL CRANE flew over on May 1. The
favourable shorebird habitat at Owen Point and on the beach has
attracted both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, up to 11 LEAST SANDPIPERS,
and two DUNLINS. Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were present on May 4.
BARRED OWLS were both seen and heard. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was near
the lighthouse yesterday, and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are there almost
every morning. MERLINS were seen on two different days. The BLUE JAY
migration over the lighthouse was first noted on May 3 and will
undoubtedly become more evident as the month progresses. Two COMMON
RAVENS were seen on May 3. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were near the
lighthouse on May 5 and 7. The songs of both GOLDEN-WINGED and
BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS were heard but neither species could be located to
confirm which species was singing which song, a problem when both
species are known to sing the songs of the other. Among the other
nineteen warbler species in the Park this week were a reported
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and CAPE MAY WARBLERS, NORTHERN PARULAS, and a
record early WILSON'S WARBLER. A brightly coloured SAVANNAH SPARROW was
at Owen Point. A few LINCOLN'S SPARROWS have been seen. Most of the
DARK-EYED JUNCOES have left but two were seen yesterday. The first
SCARLET TANAGER was seen today. Beginning on May 3, several ORCHARD
ORIOLES have been seen and heard every day, with BALTIMORE ORIOLES
arriving in numbers on the following day. PURPLE FINCHES and PINE
SISKINS have been regular patrons of the feeders at 83 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. 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
_______________________________________________
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
