The month of May has so far upheld its reputation for being the most
interesting month of the year at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, including
some rarities, even though the expected peak of the songbird migration
normally occurs after the middle of the month. Perhaps the forthcoming
Warblers and Whimbrels weekend that starts on Saturday will confirm that.
The MUTE SWAN bearing wing tag number K29 has been seen three times in
the past week. It was originally banded in Burlington and spent most of
last winter near Kingston. None of the expected BRANT flocks have
appeared yet. A female HOODED MERGANSER was in Popham Bay on May 8.
WILD TURKEYS were both seen and heard in the Park. At least as recently
as last weekend, RED-THROATED LOONS were in Popham Bay, at least one of
which was in full alternate (breeding) plumage. A surprising 18
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were counted on May 8. The shorebird
migration is well under way, including the following species (with the
date when the highest number was seen): BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (May 9 - 1
bird), PIPING PLOVER (May 8 - 1 bird), LESSER YELLOWLEGS (May 11 - 2
birds), RUDDY TURNSTONE (May 14 - 1 bird), SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (May
13 - 2 birds), DUNLIN (May 14 - 3 birds), SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (May 10
- 2 birds). Larger numbers of the more common species were/are also
present, but at this early date it would be surprising to see any
WHIMBRELS, despite the publicity that they will be getting this
weekend. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK flushed from the cedars at the lighthouse
parking lot on May 8 was too late in the season to have been one of the
summer residents in the Park and was likely a very late migrant. The
hundreds of BONAPARTE'S GULLS that were present for the past two weeks
have apparently moved on, the latest individual being seen on May 10.
Both BARRED OWL and EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL were heard from 83 Bayshore
Road. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER put on a good show all weekend around the
lighthouse, along with the ever-present RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS. A
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was seen today, and several PHILADELPHIA VIREOS
have been present since May 11. COMMON RAVENS remain in the news. In a
departure from previous years, only one BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was found
this week. A late EASTERN BLUEBIRD was seen on May 12. Two AMERICAN
PIPITS flew over the beach on May 8. Both GOLDEN-WINGED and BLUE-WINGED
WARBLERS and the hybrid BREWSTER'S WARBLER were seen. A large group of
birders saw an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. There were two sightings of
CERULEAN WARBLER. BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, and CANADA WARBLERS were
among the traditionally late-arriving warblers that have shown up.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS have taken up residence in the calf pasture, which
is actively being managed for open country birds. LINCOLN'S SPARROWS
were seen on at least three consecutive days. A SUMMER TANAGER was
reported on May 11 and SCARLET TANAGERS are widespread. BOBOLINKS and
EASTERN MEADOWLARKS have been in the calf pasture, and the former were
also spotted at the lighthouse. ORCHARD ORIOLES, a fairly common
nesting bird at Presqu'ile, are easy to find these days, especially
around the lighthouse. PURPLE FINCHES and PINE SISKINS were still
present at least as recently as May 8.
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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